How to Send Alcohol with Interparcel

This year has been trying for the best of us so who can blame us when we want to bring in the festive season with a drink (or two) in hand! Although the future looks uncertain we can certainly rely on a tipple to tide us over, and we're sure your near and dear will think the same.

Sending alcohol to loved ones can be the perfect gift. Be it a bottle of bubbly, a tantalising new gin flavour they've been waiting to try, or a beer they can't get where they are, Interparcel can help you deliver it. Our partnership with Parcelforce enables our customers to ship alcohol throughout the UK, so you can get the beers to the boys in no time!

Delivering alcohol has never been more in demand, understandably - so for supplying friends and family with the solution to their 'it's 5'o'clock somewhere' afternoons, Interparcel is here to help.

Let's have a look at the ins and outs of sending alcohol by courier...

Can I send all types of Alcohol?

Have you just come back from Amsterdam and are looking to spread the "joy" of Absynthe? Apologies but you'll have to hold fire, Parcelforce won't accept any alcoholic beverages that exceed 70% alcohol by volume (ABV).

They do however accept and send alcoholic drinks that range between 0%-24% and that top-end limit of 70%. So you've got a lot of choices as most gin, vodka, rum range between 24-70% and most beer, wine and champagne ranges between 0-24% - so whatever the occasion you know how to send alcohol to remedy those booze emergencies.

Note: The volume of a package should never exceed 1 litre!

Can I send alcohol with all Parcelforce services?

Yes you can!

BUT

Be careful to select the right service, depending on the type of alcohol you're sending.

Alcohol that ranges between 24-70% (e.g. gin, rum, vodka)

• Cannot be collected within the UK but you Can send using the Parcelforce Drop Off services through Interparcel.
• Cannot be sent internationally.

Alcohol that ranges between 0%-24% (e.g. wine, beer, champagne or prosecco if you're not made of money)

• Can be sent domestically in the UK.

What type of Services are available?

So you've now got your answer to the question "Can I send gin as a gift?", so you can ship away and send your absolute favourite to Martha on her birthday, now what service will you choose?

Interparcel offer a range of Parcelforce collected services depending on the urgency of that beverage! You can select the Express 9 for a Next Day pre 9am service, or the Express 10am too. Maybe even a morning delivery with the Parcelforce Express AM. If you're happy to wait until 5pm to crack open your beverage, then the Express 24 Next Day might suit you just nicely. If it's not so urgent, enjoy the cost savings of booking an Express 48 for the two day service.

All of these services are available as a Drop Off option too if you'd prefer.

How much is the delivery likely to cost?

The price is very much dependant on the size, weight and destination you are intending to send to so make sure you have the address handy to get an exact quote for your delivery here. To give you an idea though, most wine bottles typically measure 7-8 cm in diameter and are about 30 cm tall. Champagne or prosecco bottles are slightly larger and measure 8-9 cm in diameter and closer to 31-32 cm tall. Price of course depends on packaging on top of this, but based on these measurements and a 0.5kg weight, we can estimate the shipping costs below to give you an idea:

Sending an alcoholic gift at this size with Parcelforce Drop services will approximately cost:

Sending an alcoholic gift at this size with Parcelforce Collected services will approximately cost:

Please remember: As gin and other spirits range between 24-70% ABV they can only be sent domestically and via Drop Off Parcelforce services!

How should I package alcohol to send?

Making sure your cocktails don't arrive shaken or stirred isn't as hard as you may think. Make sure first that you're packaging no more than two bottles in the same parcel.

1. It is advised you wrap each bottle in polyethylene, bubble-wrap, or another shock-absorbent material and seal with tape.
2. You should then fill the empty space in the box with more protective materials to prevent any movement of the contents while in transit.
3. Mark the package as 'FRAGILE'. Whilst it will still travel in the Network the same way as the other parcels, this does highlight how delicate the contents are to the parcel handlers. If you're using a Parcelforce service through Interparcel, we will provide you with address labels to print and stick to your parcel.
4. Park your parcel by the front door ready for collection, or take your alcohol-filled parcel of goodness down to your local Drop Off location and they will take it carefully off your hands and get it on its way!

If you have any questions about sending alcohol through one of our Parcelforce shipping services, our delivery experts are available from 8 am - 8 pm Monday - Friday (don't call after 8 as they'll be beers deep by then!) and 9 am - 1 pm on weekends!

Happy boozy sending!