Posting Beer

[Alex Lawes]

I'd like to try post some beer to some friends in the states.

Anyone ever tried it?

Would the bottles burst?

Is it illegal?

[Greg2013]

Just FYI Alex but An Post will not accept any bottles for shipping that contain liquids from a private individual, not even a bottle of water. Apparently that rule was always there but this year they are enforcing it. Now this is coming from two different post offices. What i was told was that yes it is illegal to ship containers of liquid of any description without an export licence.

I was told this less than a month ago when i arrived in Dungarvan Post Office to ship a couple of bottles to Scotland.

However it is perfectly legal to ship Snow Globes which also contain liquid

[delzep]

Freeze it then bring it to the post office so that you are technically posting a solid. Not your fault if their temperature control melts the solid

[Metattron]

Only dangerous liquids surely.  Think how many things that could be classified as containers of liquid.  Wrap the bottles in bubble wrap and put in a cardboard box and say nothing.  If they ask, it's snowglobes! 

[Greg2013]

Nope Mettatron afraid not, specifically said any and ALL liquids even water prohibited by post. Delzep good idea but that is prohibited as well afraid to say. I reckon its a case of you post your snow globes and take your chances. :

[Greg2013]

In saying that though it would be interesting to see if this law really exists or is it just typical Oirish BS as usual? 

[Alex Lawes]

What if I sent it through UPS or Fedex or something, from one brewing company to another?

[Metattron]

It probably falls under An Posts very broad reading of the IATA prohibited list.  That would only cover things sent via air, so anything sent within the country should be fine.  I checked the Post Office lists of prohibited items for us in for Norn Iron too, and they only prohibit beer if it's ABV is over 24%. Safe.

[Alex Lawes]

Yeah I get ye,
Thanks for he input. It's very helpful. I'll need to get a way around it I reckon. I'd be more worried about the bottles bursting in an airplane than the 5-oh getting on me case about my beer-ring activities at this point.

Any thoughts on the logistics if you were to go the 'Fuk da GARDA' route?

[Metattron]

I'd say bottles should be fine, unless they are really over carbed.  Craigtube gets bottles from all over the world all the time for his reviews.

[Alex Lawes]

Bottles in the plane would be a nightmare.

I've heard from all accounts that they often burst with compression on the plane, not to mention the liquids lark at security.

I'm heading over myself in July,
was planning on sending them ahead of me to be there when I arrive.

[delzep]

I've brought bottles (and a 5l Jupiler keg thing) back from Belgium on numerous occasions and never had a breakage

[Kevco5]

Allegedly, if you label the box as ceramics it can make it there fairly quick, allegedly

http://www.beoir.org/community/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=9176&p=101881&hilit=Shipping#p101881

[imark]

Brought all sorts of bottles on flights without problems. Breakage is your biggest concern. Probably safest to put in those coopers plastic bottles to avoid careless handling.