Shipping ALCOHOL
Why is alcohol considered a dangerous good?
All alcoholic beverages including wine, champagne, beer, ale, whisky, vodka, alcoholic spirits and liqueurs are considered dangerous goods.
Due to their flammable nature, any alcoholic beverage can pose a serious fire risk if exposed to a flash source. It is therefore important that any alcohol is correctly wrapped and handled to prevent breakage of the bottle or leakage onto other substances.
Although all alcohol is considered a hazardous good under the Flammable Liquids: 3 classification, there are various divisions that alcoholic goods can be further broken down into based on the strength of the alcohol and therefore, the potential risk associated to the product.
These classifications are; Below 24% ABV, 24%-70% ABV and Above 70% ABV.
How Can I Deliver Alcohol Safely?
Regardless of ABV, it is essential to use a HAZMAT certified courier when delivering alcohol.
Not only can we help with the declaration of your goods, we will ensure that your alcohol is correctly packaged for shipping.
To minimise the risks associated with delivering alcohol, your liquids should be stored in their original, sealed bottle and placed inside a leak-proof bag or wrapped in an absorbent material (dependant on strength).
Your goods could then be well cushioned in packaging material before being placed in a strong outer box. It is important that any consignment containing alcohol is clearly labelled as ‘Fragile’ when in transit.
What if I Don’t Declare my Alcohol?
For international transit by air freight or delivery by ferry, you can face an unlimited fine, be sentenced to 2 years in prison or receive a combined fine and prison sentence should your parcel cause an incident or fail an inspection. The severity of your prosecution for failing to correctly declare a hazardous good will fall in line with the degree of your offence.
If your consignment fails a safety spot check when being delivered by road, you will be faced with a fixed penalty.
NOT WHAT YOU WERE LOOKING FOR?
Read through our other Dangerous Goods classifications
