Wine logistics covers storage, packaging, customs and excise paperwork, then the transport of a bottle from the estate to its recipient. The product's fragility and temperature sensitivity make it a trade of its own, distinct from general parcel logistics.
What wine logistics actually covers
The term spans several linked trades: storage under suitable conditions, breakage-proof packaging for bottles, managing excise documents for shipments under suspensive regime, choosing a carrier able to hold the cold chain, and tracking through to delivery. Skipping any single one of these steps is enough to put the whole shipment at risk.
A shipment's journey, step by step
- Pickup at the producer or the winery
- Packaging suited to bottles: breakage-proof cushioning and thermal protection
- Excise paperwork for shipments under suspensive regime (DAE, GAMMA2)
- Transport, with an ATP-certified carrier if the cold chain is required
- Tracking through to delivery at the recipient
Storage and temperature: constraints specific to wine
Above 30°C or below 0°C, a wine's quality can be affected. A good logistics provider monitors these swings at every stage, from storage to the last mile, not only during road or air transport. That's what sets a general warehouse apart from one that actually understands wine.
Customs and excise: a step that's often underestimated
Within France and the European Union, moving wine under excise suspensive regime requires an electronic administrative document (DAE) and a GAMMA2 declaration. Our guide to wine excise duties in Europe covers this principle. Outside the European Union, each destination applies its own duties and taxes: exporting to Australia, for example, adds WET and GST on top of the transport cost.
A logistics partner that understands wine
Handing your export to a general provider often means discovering these constraints after the fact, at a customs hold-up or after breakage in transit. Our guide to choosing a wine logistics company covers what to check, and our overview of wine transport solutions compares options by destination. On Expédier, enter your route to compare carrier offers and get a quote in 30 seconds.
Frequently asked questions on wine logistics
What does the price of a wine shipment depend on?
The price depends mainly on the destination, weight, volume, number of bottles, mode of transport, declared value, and any duties or taxes at destination.
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.
Can I get an estimate before confirming the shipment?
Yes. On written request, Vastorg can produce a tax estimate based on the information you provide.
Can I ship a single bottle?
Yes, when the destination and the carrier allow it. A single bottle may require particular care, especially if its value is high or it must be delivered within a short timeframe.
Can I ship several pallets?
Yes. On a quotation basis, Vastorg can arrange B2B shipments for pallets, groupage, full loads, and containers, depending on the destination and logistical need.