National Homebrew Club Ireland

General Discussions => Chit Chat => Topic started by: ColmR on October 14, 2013, 12:12:20 PM

Title: Shipping homebrew abroad
Post by: ColmR on October 14, 2013, 12:12:20 PM
Hi all,
Has anyone ever shipped homebrew overseas? Whad couriers/services would be best to do this safely and securely?
Thanks
Colm
Title: Re: Shipping homebrew abroad
Post by: HomeBrewWest on October 14, 2013, 07:59:21 PM
Hi Colm,
We ship all over Europe with DPD. See:
http://www.dpd.ie/index.php/depot-finder (http://www.dpd.ie/index.php/depot-finder)
Title: Re: Shipping homebrew abroad
Post by: Greg2013 on October 14, 2013, 08:34:21 PM
Quote from: HomeBrewWest on October 14, 2013, 07:59:21 PM
Hi Colm,
We ship all over Europe with DPD. See:
http://www.dpd.ie/index.php/depot-finder (http://www.dpd.ie/index.php/depot-finder)

The problem as i have seen it is what do you declare it as and also the actual shipping costs can be a real killer. BTW please do not answer the first point here to avoid any perception of impropriety.
Title: Re: Shipping homebrew abroad
Post by: HomeBrewWest on October 15, 2013, 11:35:58 AM
No need to declare it as anything with DPD if it ships within the EU. However, other countries and Norway in particular are/is an absolute nightmare (you need to get product codes for each item from revenue). We are seriously thinking of stopping supply to these countries because it takes half a day to sort out all the paperwork.

Title: Re: Shipping homebrew abroad
Post by: Greg2013 on October 15, 2013, 12:02:06 PM
Quote from: HomeBrewWest on October 15, 2013, 11:35:58 AM
No need to declare it as anything with DPD if it ships within the EU. However, other countries and Norway in particular are/is an absolute nightmare (you need to get product codes for each item from revenue). We are seriously thinking of stopping supply to these countries because it takes half a day to sort out all the paperwork.

Good to know Brian thanks, i wonder what about Canada or the USA though? I have something i need to send to a  friend in USA for review ;)
Title: Re: Shipping homebrew abroad
Post by: irish_goat on October 15, 2013, 12:07:21 PM
I believe the trick is to label it "yeast sample suspended in maltodextrin solution".  ;)
Title: Re: Shipping homebrew abroad
Post by: DEMPSEY on October 15, 2013, 12:15:05 PM
Good answer. Goes into my long list with answers like when unemployed you are a State Artist because you draw the dole. :)
Title: Re: Shipping homebrew abroad
Post by: Greg2013 on October 15, 2013, 01:38:01 PM
Quote from: irish_goat on October 15, 2013, 12:07:21 PM
I believe the trick is to label it "yeast sample suspended in maltodextrin solution".  ;)

Good answer goat but would you reckon it would be best to send it through DPD or An Post ? :(
Title: Re: Shipping homebrew abroad
Post by: ColmR on October 21, 2013, 09:59:01 PM
Just coming back to this one. Haven't shipped parcel yet and realising that it's to go to Switzerland (outside WU). Anyone know if they are awkward about accepting parcels of un-named substance?

If I did have to declare. What has worked for you?
Title: Re: Shipping homebrew abroad
Post by: Greg2013 on October 21, 2013, 10:17:48 PM
I will be sending two "yeast samples in maltodextrin suspension" to USA  this week so will see what happens. Expect if they do get through that it will be a 3 week turnaround at least. :P
Title: Re: Shipping homebrew abroad
Post by: Bzfeale80 on October 22, 2013, 04:17:35 PM
could chance calling it ' candy syrup'  :P
Title: Re: Shipping homebrew abroad
Post by: Greg2013 on October 22, 2013, 04:42:35 PM
Quote from: Bzfeale80 on October 22, 2013, 04:17:35 PM
could chance calling it ' candy syrup'  :P

Actually that's not a bad idea but perhaps customs might stop it f its classed as a foodstuff ?
Title: Re: Shipping homebrew abroad
Post by: MisterBurns on February 18, 2014, 03:55:25 PM
Quote from: Greg2013 on October 21, 2013, 10:17:48 PM
I will be sending two "yeast samples in maltodextrin suspension" to USA  this week so will see what happens. Expect if they do get through that it will be a 3 week turnaround at least. :P

How did this work out for you? If it did who did you send it with?
Title: Re: Shipping homebrew abroad
Post by: DEMPSEY on February 18, 2014, 04:26:04 PM
I sent 2 yeast vials to the UK by post in a jiffy bag and was given a litany of things I could not send. Marked them as sweets and they got through. :)
Title: Re: Shipping homebrew abroad
Post by: irish_goat on February 18, 2014, 04:28:27 PM
If you're sending stuff to the UK you could post it over the border and it'll be grand.
Title: Re: Shipping homebrew abroad
Post by: Greg2013 on February 18, 2014, 07:39:48 PM
Quote from: MisterBurns on February 18, 2014, 03:55:25 PM
Quote from: Greg2013 on October 21, 2013, 10:17:48 PM
I will be sending two "yeast samples in maltodextrin suspension" to USA  this week so will see what happens. Expect if they do get through that it will be a 3 week turnaround at least. :P

How did this work out for you? If it did who did you send it with?

I sent two "yeast samples in aqueous suspension" to an address in USA and they got through fine, took a few weeks though. Only sent them late last month as i had to rewrap them to get the weight down. I sent them through An Post and got a sticker off them to declare what was in the package. Under 2kg is 17.00 euro and over 2kg is 36 euro so it better be important :P

DPD wanted 140.00 euro for the same package and i actually had to get an email from them to confirm this  :o