Shipping wine to the United States goes better when you plan ahead: entry runs through a licensed importer, each shipment needs a Prior Notice filed with the FDA, and three States are not served. Once those are settled, lead times stay short.
A licensed importer in the United States
Distribution goes through a licensed US importer, either an importer of record or a customs broker. That party handles entry of the goods and pays the duties and taxes, and holds the federal alcohol import permit issued by the TTB (Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau).
FDA Prior Notice and formal entry
Each shipment needs a Prior Notice with the FDA, registered at least 24 hours before arrival. Without it the parcel is held on arrival. Vastorg takes care of it. Alcohol shipments then go through formal entry, whatever their value, and FDA release takes one to two working days on average. The customs entry itself stays with the US importer.
Documents to plan for
- The FDA Prior Notice, whose number appears on the invoice and the airway bill
- The packing list
- The COLA (Certificate of Label Approval) issued by the TTB, to be filed 5 to 15 days before shipping
- For champagne, the certificate of origin from the Comité Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne
The commercial invoice describes each wine precisely: appellation, vintage, strength and volume.
States not served, and delivery
Mississippi, South Dakota and Utah are not served. In the other States, delivery requires the signature of an adult aged 21 or over, and some States apply their own restrictions on alcohol entering their territory: check the destination State's before booking.
Lead times and total cost
Allow three to eight days for an express shipment, not counting any customs hold. On top of the transport price come customs duties, an excise duty and customs handling fees, due on arrival. Local taxation weighs on the total as much as transport does, as the example of exporting wine to Australia shows.
Packaging and insurance for the crossing
A transatlantic transit exposes bottles to temperature swings and several handovers. Our guide to preparing a wine shipment covers the packaging carriers accept, and the insurance page explains ad valorem cover, priced on declared value.
Comparing offers for your route
Once the importer is identified, the carrier is left to choose. The Expédier comparison shows the carrier offers available for your route, with the rate before you book.
Frequently asked questions on destinations and customs
Can Vastorg ship wine internationally?
Yes. Vastorg lets wine professionals ship from France to a wide range of international destinations.
Every shipment depends on the destination, volume, value of the bottles, recipient status, and the rules of the destination country.
What types of wine can be shipped?
Vastorg covers still wines, sparkling wines and champagnes. Vastorg does not ship spirits.
Some destinations may apply specific restrictions depending on the wine type, alcohol level, quantity, or recipient status.
Does the quote include duties and taxes on arrival?
No. The final amount of the duties and taxes levied by the destination country (excise duties aside) is known after delivery. Depending on the incoterm chosen, that amount is invoiced to the shipper or to the recipient.
Why does the price vary by country?
Each country applies its own import, tax, customs, and transport rules. The final cost can therefore vary significantly by destination, even for the same number of bottles.
Which countries can Vastorg ship wine to?
Vastorg can organise shipments to many destinations in Europe and beyond. Feasibility depends on local alcohol import rules, recipient status, and the transport mode available. The available countries are listed at the start of the shipping process.
Can I ship wine to the United States?
Yes. One thing sets it apart from other destinations: a Prior Notice must be filed with the FDA before the shipment leaves (Vastorg handles this). Some states also apply their own restrictions on alcohol entering their territory.