Can You Ship Alcohol Through FedEx or UPS?

The short answer: unless you are a licensed alcohol business with a signed carrier contract, FedEx and UPS will not accept alcohol shipments from you. Here is what that means and what your options are.

The Honest Truth

Wine bottle being packed in a foam wine shipper inside a cardboard box

If you walked into any shipping store hoping to mail a bottle of wine or a six-pack of beer to a friend, here is what will happen: they will not take it.

Neither FedEx nor UPS accepts alcohol shipments from individual consumers. Period. It does not matter if it is a gift, a homebrew competition entry, or a bottle of rare whiskey you want to share. If you do not hold a valid alcohol license and a signed contract with the carrier, the answer is no.

That is not the shipping store being difficult — it is federal and state law.

What the Carriers Require

Both FedEx and UPS have near-identical requirements for alcohol shipments:

Licensed shipper only. You must hold the appropriate state and federal alcohol licenses (as a winery, brewery, distillery, or licensed retailer).
Signed contract. You must enroll in the carrier's alcohol shipping program and sign their shipping agreement.
Adult signature required. Every delivery requires a signature from someone 21+ with government-issued ID.
Special labeling. Packages must carry special alcohol shipping labels (FedEx SEL-170 or UPS alcohol stickers).
Approved packaging. Bottles must be packed in molded foam, corrugated trays, or fiber trays inside sturdy outer boxes.

Even home-based businesses running a small winemaking operation are not exempt — you need the license and the contract.

What FedEx and UPS Each Allow

Carrier	Wine	Beer	Spirits
FedEx	Licensee → Consumer ✓	Licensee → Licensee only	Licensee → Licensee only
UPS	Licensee → Consumer ✓	Licensee → Consumer ✓	Licensee → Licensee only

Key difference: FedEx only ships wine directly to consumers (from licensed wineries). Beer and spirits must be business-to-business. UPS allows beer and wine to consumers from licensed shippers, but spirits remain business-to-business only.

What About USPS?

USPS does not accept alcohol shipments under any circumstances. Federal law (18 U.S.C. § 1716) prohibits mailing alcoholic beverages. This applies to individuals and businesses alike with very narrow exceptions for licensed manufacturers under specific conditions.

Your Options as an Individual

If you are not a licensed alcohol shipper, here is what you can do:

Ship via a licensed third party. Services like Drizly, Instacart, or Wine.com handle the licensing and shipping on your behalf within their delivery areas.
Check local laws. Some wineries and breweries ship directly to consumers in select states through their own carrier contracts.
Bring it in person. If you are traveling, pack it in checked luggage (check TSA and airline rules first).
Non-alcohol alternatives. We can still help you ship gifts, documents, fragile items, and anything else that is not regulated — just not alcohol.

What We Can Help With

We cannot ship alcohol for you, but we are your go-to for everything else:

FedEx shipping for packages, documents, and freight
UPS shipping — Ground, Next Day Air, International
USPS services — Priority Mail, First-Class, Media Mail
DHL Express international shipping
Professional packing for fragile, odd-shaped, and valuable items
Package receiving — never miss a delivery again

Come see us at 7554 Fredle Drive, Concord Township — no appointment needed.

We are not attorneys and cannot provide legal advice. This information is for educational purposes and reflects carrier policies as we understand them. Laws vary by state and change frequently. Always consult the carrier directly and review applicable federal and state regulations before shipping regulated items.

Reference: FedEx official alcohol shipping policy →

Frequently Asked Questions

Get quick answers to the most common questions about packaging, carriers, pricing, and what to expect.

Can I ship a bottle of wine as a gift?

No — not through FedEx, UPS, or USPS as an individual. The shipper must have a license and a carrier contract. Some wineries can ship directly to recipients on your behalf if you order through them.

Can my winery or brewery ship through Mailbox Plus?

We cannot process alcohol shipments at our counter. If your business has a carrier contract, you would arrange the pickup or drop-off directly with the carrier. We can help with packaging supplies and getting shipments ready for pickup.

What happens if I try to ship alcohol without a license?

The carrier will refuse the package at the counter. If it is discovered in transit, it may be seized, destroyed, or returned. Repeat violations can result in account suspension and legal penalties under state and federal law.

Can I ship non-alcoholic beer or wine?

Non-alcoholic beverages (under 0.5% ABV) are not regulated as alcohol and can be shipped through normal carrier services. Just make sure the packaging is secure.

What about shipping alcohol through a freight carrier?

Freight carriers (trucking companies) have their own rules for alcohol shipments. This is typically for palletized commercial shipments, not individual packages. You would still need the appropriate licenses.

We will tell you the truth — even if it means we cannot help. That is the Mailbox Plus difference.

Stop in or give us a call. We ship everything except the stuff the law says we cannot touch.