Can I send liquid in the post? It's a question asked many times and for a good reason. Due to the spillable nature of fluids, they pose a risk to other parcels being spoilt in transit, so many of our couriers will not accept them.
However, liquid services are growing in popularity, especially with the rise of online craft alcohol companies. Are you a business that regularly sends liquids, or perhaps an individual sender looking to send a bottle of wine to a friend? If you are, our tips below will help you understand more about sending liquids by courier, including which carriers accept liquids and packaging advice, so no one will miss out on their favourite tipple.
Which couriers can I ship liquids with?
APC
APC Liquid is a specific fragile handling courier service designed for liquids in mind such as beer or wine. We have recently added this service to our range of excellent shipping solutions with prices starting from £11.60 (exc VAT) for UK Next Day delivery. For a weekend liquid delivery, we also offer APC Liquid Saturday - a particularly useful service if you need a fast liquid delivery in time for a weekend party!
This service is unique because packages are handled by specially trained staff, sorted by hand, and separated into individual cages to maximise protection and peace of mind when sending liquids via courier. You can send a maximum of 20 liquid items per consignment.
Parcelforce
You can send liquids in the UK and abroad with Parcelforce courier services.
Parcelforce 48 Liquid Drop Off is an excellent option if you prefer to send on the go. You can drop off your parcel at over 11,500 Parcelforce depots or Post Offices at a time that suits you. We also sell the Parcelforce Express 48 Liquid service, where the courier will collect from your home or business address. You can still send liquids any other Parcelforce services but they will not be covered in the event of loss or damage.
Please note: Unlike APC Liquid services, parcels sent on the UK Parcelforce Liquid services travel through the regular Parcelforce network.
Liquids over 1 litre and not classified as dangerous goods can only sent on the Parcelforce Express 48 UK service. Liquids under 1 litre can be sent via any UK Parcelforce service. Max 5 litres per shipment. Please read our alcohol blog post for specific information regarding sending alcohol via courier.
How do I package liquids?
Due to its fragile nature, items containing liquid must be packaged well enough to withstand a slight tumble. To make sure your item is sufficiently packaged for transit, follow our step-by-step guide below:
1. Choose a robust and double-walled cardboard box appropriately sized for the goods.
2. Ensure you're packaging no more than two bottles of liquid in the same parcel to avoid the risk of breakage. Any items that leak or omit an odour cannot be sent via courier.
3. Wrap each bottle in polythene or sealed plastic bags and seal with tape.
4. Fill the space in the box with more protective cushioning materials like bubble wrap to prevent any movement of the contents while in transit. Corrugated cardboard or foam dividers are also helpful for protection.
5. Securely tape the box with parcel tape along the edges of the box.
6. Affix your address label on the box along with other relevant documentation. Store upright and label with arrow-up stickers if you have some to hand.
7. You are ready to ship!
What liquids can't I send?
Liquids or fluids are generally defined as a substance that flows freely at a constant volume. APC and Parcelforce are the only two couriers we offer that accept liquid. However, there are some exceptions.
Examples of liquids you cannot send:
- Flammable liquids
- Chemicals or solvents
- Poisonous or toxic liquids
- Perishable liquids
It's essential to always check our Prohibited and Restricted items list before you book a parcel delivery with us. You can filter results by courier and destination country.
Book your delivery with Interparcel
All shipments booked through Interparcel come with full-online tracking so you can be confident that your parcel is in safe hands when shipping in the UK and abroad. You'll be given a unique tracking number that you or the receiver can type into our tracking portal. We will also send you email or SMS updates if you ticked either one of those options at booking.
If your liquids are wrapped up and ready to send, enter your parcel's dimensions and weight into our Quote Tool for an instant list of prices. If you have any questions about sending liquids through APC or Parcelforce, our delivery experts can help from 8.30 am - 8 pm Monday – Friday and 9 am - 1 pm on weekends.
Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational use only. You should always conduct your own research to verify the accuracy of this content. The information was accurate at the time of writing but may be subject to change.
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