UPS is expanding its ability to ship alcohol, wine and beer to consumers on its express or standard shipping services.
Wine connoisseurs can now use the express logistics firm to ship cases of wine shipped directly from the vineyards to their home.
UPS says that according to industry studies, Italy, France and Spain account for 50% of global wine production, but consumption is rising in markets outside Europe; wine imports to China alone are expect to grow nearly 80% between 2016 and 2020. However, consumption in Europe itself is falling.
UPS is extending its direct to consumer wine shipping export service from the European Union to include Canada, the Dominican Republic, Hong Kong, India, Macau, South Africa, Switzerland, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand. It already operates from the EU to China, South Korea and Japan.
Consumers shipping within the European Union can also now take advantage of the wine shipping services, UPS adds.
UPS provides certified and safe packaging specifically designed for the transport of wine bottles (up to 12 bottles per box for still wines and up to six bottles for sparkling wines) that can be ordered through UPS call centres.
Customers shipping from France and Italy can also benefit from the Customized Declared Value for Wine programme.
Offered by UPS Capital, customers using pre-approved packaging, can count on bundled shipping and protection up to €500. If the shipment is valued higher, customers can purchase additional protection up to the full retail cost. If for some reason the wine is damaged during shipment, they will be reimbursed for the value of the wine and the transportation expenses.
However, it remains the shipper's responsibility to know and comply with all applicable international laws and regulations, UPS points out.
President, UPS Europe, Nando Cesarone, said: “Our priority is to ensure that our customers, whether they are consumers, small producers, or expert wine shop managers, can get their wine where and when they want and with the assurance that their shipment is guaranteed by the quality of UPS’s service.”
