Everything about shipping wine internationally

Yes. Vastorg arranges wine shipments from France to a wide range of international destinations, for both businesses and private clients.

Every shipment is studied based on the destination, volume, value of the bottles, recipient status, and the rules of the destination country.

Vastorg can arrange the shipment of still wines, sparkling wines, champagnes, grands crus, old vintages, commercial samples, gift boxes, and full wine cases.

Some destinations may apply specific restrictions depending on the wine type, alcohol level, quantity, or recipient status.

Vastorg specialises in wine and spirits logistics. Shipping conditions can vary depending on the product, particularly for spirits or beverages with a higher alcohol content.

Vastorg works with both private clients and professionals (producers, négociants, agents, distributors, importers, wine merchants, restaurateurs, hoteliers, collectors, concierges, event organisers, and more).

No. Vastorg is not a wine seller. Vastorg organises transport, documents, customs, insurance, and delivery of wines entrusted by its clients.

Yes. Private clients can use Vastorg for personal shipments, gifts, purchases made in France, a move, or the transfer of a cellar.

To get a quote, you provide the pickup address, delivery address, number of bottles, bottle format, declared value, type of shipment, and desired lead time.

The quote is generated instantly.

The price depends mainly on the destination, weight, volume, number of bottles, mode of transport, declared value, and any duties or taxes at destination.

It depends on the incoterm or arrangement chosen. Some shipments can be organised with duties and taxes paid by the recipient. Others can be prepared with duties handled by the shipper, where possible.

Vastorg confirms the applicable conditions before shipping.

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.

Yes. Vastorg can produce a tax estimate based on the information you provide.

No, Vastorg handles small shipments as well as larger volumes. The proposed solution will not be the same for a rare single bottle, six samples, a pallet, or a full container.

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.

Yes. Vastorg arranges B2B shipments for pallets, groupage, full loads, and containers, depending on the destination and logistical need.

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.

Yes, subject to US rules on alcohol imports. The United States enforces specific formalities, and rules can vary by state.

The import must be arranged with a licensed importer.

Yes. Since Brexit, shipments to the United Kingdom require specific customs formalities.

Yes. Switzerland is outside the European Union, so a shipment from France requires export formalities and import formalities on arrival.

Yes, depending on the country. Conditions can vary significantly between Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, China, and other destinations. Import, taxation, and labelling rules must be checked before shipping.

Yes, subject to Australian rules on imports, customs, taxation, and labelling. The costs on arrival can be significant and must be anticipated.

It depends on the country. Some destinations prohibit or strictly limit alcohol imports. Others allow them under conditions, often through a licensed importer.

Yes. Some countries prohibit alcohol imports or allow them only under very strict conditions. Vastorg checks feasibility before arranging any shipment.

A parcel shipment typically covers a small number of bottles: samples, gifts, one-off purchases, or individual bottles.

A pallet shipment covers larger volumes, usually for professionals.

Parcel shipping is suited to small volumes, commercial samples, client gifts, bottles bought at the cellar door, and one-off shipments.

Pallets are suited to larger volumes, professional deliveries, restocks, regular flows, and shipments to distributors or importers.

Yes, when the destination, volume, and operational constraints allow. For urgent shipments, Vastorg looks at the most suitable solution: dedicated courier, express transport, air, or a bespoke arrangement.

Yes. The concierge service is designed for non-standard requests: very high-end bottles, urgent deliveries, hand-delivery, private events, secured transport.

Yes, depending on operational feasibility, access to the delivery location, and local rules. Vastorg can study a marina delivery, on-board delivery, or hand-off to a designated contact.

Yes. Vastorg can arrange deliveries to private residences, chalets, hotels, villas, or difficult-to-access locations, subject to feasibility.

Yes. Vastorg can arrange deliveries for weddings, private receptions, dinners, corporate events, tastings, or business gifts.

Yes. Vastorg can run client-gift operations, premium gift boxes, and multi-address shipments, depending on volumes, destinations, and timelines.

Vastorg can arrange pickups at the estate, winery, warehouse, wine merchant, négociant, private home, or a logistics partner.

Yes, subject to operational availability. The pickup date is confirmed when the shipment is organised.

In most cases, yes. For wine, it is preferable that the recipient or an authorised person be available at the delivery address.

Some destinations or carriers may require a signature or proof of delivery.

It is not always possible and depends on the carrier. Changing the address may incur additional fees or delays.

Depending on the carrier and country, a redelivery attempt, hold-for-pickup, or return may be arranged. Conditions vary by service.

Yes, but the address must be complete and accessible and a local contact must be available. This is particularly important for hotels, yachts, holiday homes, or events.

Yes, for certain sensitive or high-end shipments. Bespoke hand-delivery can be studied as part of a premium or concierge service.

Wine must be packaged in a container suitable for bottle transport (a Vastorg-supplied box or a carrier-certified box). The goal is to prevent movement, protect the bottles from impacts, and limit breakage risk.

No. Presentation boxes and standard winery cartons are not designed to withstand the stresses of international transport.

Vastorg can recommend or supply suitable packaging based on the shipment.

No. A wooden case protects presentation but is not sufficient as transport packaging. Additional protection is required.

Packaging can be supplied by Vastorg. If not, the packaging chosen by the shipper must be validated by Vastorg before departure.

No. A "Fragile" label may help but never replaces suitable packaging. The parcel must withstand normal transport handling.

Yes, but presentation packaging must not be treated as sufficient logistical protection.

The required documents depend on the destination, the type of shipment, and the recipient's status. They may include a commercial or pro forma invoice, a packing list, product information, an export declaration, an excise document, or other supporting documents.

You will typically need to provide the complete sender and recipient addresses, number of bottles, bottle size, alcohol content, country of origin, declared value, product description, and shipment purpose.

A pro forma invoice is a document used to declare the value and nature of goods, particularly when there is no standard commercial sale. It can be used for certain samples, gifts, or shipments without a direct commercial transaction.

The commercial invoice accompanies a sale. It specifies the seller, buyer, goods, quantities, value, currency, origin, and terms of sale.

The packing list details the shipment contents: number of packages, weight, dimensions, number of bottles, formats, and any references.

The customs code identifies the nature of the product for customs formalities. For wine, the classification depends on the type of product, the packaging, and other characteristics.

EORI is a customs identifier used by economic operators for dealings with European Union customs authorities.

It is typically required for customs operations carried out by a business in the European Union. Vastorg can indicate whether the number is required for your shipment.

Yes. Vastorg can prepare or coordinate the necessary documents depending on the destination, the transport regime, and the information you provide.

The information must be accurate and consistent. The client must provide correct data about the goods, their value, origin, and the recipient. Vastorg relies on this information to prepare the shipment.

It depends on the destination country, the wine's origin, applicable trade agreements, the declared value, and the product type.

It depends on the arrangement. If duties and taxes are charged to the recipient, they may be collected on arrival. If duties are prepaid by the shipper, those fees can be settled upfront where possible.

DAP stands for "Delivered At Place". Under DAP, goods are delivered to the agreed address, but import duties, taxes, and fees may remain the recipient's responsibility.

DDP stands for "Delivered Duty Paid". Under DDP, the shipper takes on the import duties and taxes, where that arrangement is possible.

For a gift, it is often preferable to avoid leaving fees for the recipient to pay on arrival. When the country and the carrier allow, a prepaid duties-and-taxes arrangement is more comfortable.

For sales outside the European Union, some operations can be invoiced without French VAT, subject to the applicable conditions and the availability of export evidence.

Vastorg can provide the documents available for the shipment and for the export movement, depending on the type of operation and the formalities completed.

Incorrect information can lead to delays, holds, additional fees, a document correction, or, in some cases, a return of the goods.

No. The declared value must be accurate and consistent. Under-declaration can create customs, tax, and insurance issues.

Yes. Wine is among the alcoholic beverages subject to excise duties. The applicable rules vary by country, product status, and movement regime.

The DAE — Document Administratif Électronique — accompanies certain movements of excise-liable goods, particularly when they circulate under a suspensive regime. It ensures fiscal traceability of the movement.

A DAE may be required when wine moves under a suspension of excise duties, particularly between authorised professionals or as part of certain export movements.

GAMMA2 is the system used in France to manage certain movements of excise-liable goods. It allows the creation and tracking of electronic documents related to excise.

EMCS is the European system for tracking the movement of excise-liable goods. It enables tracking of the relevant goods when they move under certain fiscal regimes.

The CRD — Capsule Représentative de Droits — is a capsule historically used in France to attest that consumption duties have been paid. Its role depends on the context of sale, circulation, and destination.

The DSA — document simplifié d'accompagnement — can apply to certain movements of excise-liable goods when duties have already been paid. Its use depends on the applicable regime.

Yes. Vastorg has partnered with a specialised tax representative to handle excise duties.

Excise duties affect the movement regime, required documents, fiscal liability, and shipment compliance. An error can lead to delays or administrative issues.

Depending on the destination and volume, Vastorg can arrange road, sea, air, express, or bespoke transport.

Road transport is often suited to shipments within France, Europe, or to certain nearby destinations. It works for parcels, pallets, and regular flows.

Air is suited to urgent shipments, high-value bottles, important samples, or distant destinations requiring a short lead time.

Sea is suited to larger volumes, pallets, groupage, and containers. It is often used for B2B flows and long-distance exports.

Groupage consolidates several shipments into the same transport. It can help optimise costs for volumes that do not require a dedicated truck or container.

A full container is dedicated to a single shipment or a single client. It is suited to large volumes and structured flows.

Lead times vary by destination, transport mode, customs formalities, time of year, and local conditions. Vastorg provides an estimated lead time before shipping.

Lead times can be estimated but depend on many factors: customs, carrier, weather, recipient availability, controls, public holidays, or exceptional events.

It depends on the service chosen. For sensitive or high-value wines, it may be preferable to avoid departures that leave the shipment in transit over a weekend or public holiday.

Not always. It depends on the value of the wine, its sensitivity, the destination, the season, the transport duration, and the acceptable risk level.

Temperature-controlled transport is recommended for grands crus, old vintages, sensitive wines, long distances, hot destinations, or summer shipments.

Yes. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can significantly affect wine quality.

Yes. Very low temperatures or sudden variations can also present a risk.

Depending on the shipment type and the forecast, Vastorg can recommend postponing a shipment to limit temperature-related risk.

Vastorg always offers ad valorem coverage. The decision to insure or not rests with the client.

Ad valorem insurance covers goods based on their declared value, within the limits and conditions set out in the contract.

Yes — it is strongly recommended.

A carrier investigation is usually opened. If the shipment is insured, compensation depends on the coverage terms, the declared value, and the supporting documents provided.

Documents may include the invoice, proof of value, photos of the parcel, photos of the damage, the shipping label, the delivery confirmation, and a description of the incident.

No. Coverage depends on the subscribed terms, exclusions, declared value, and available supporting documents. Check the conditions before shipping.

From pickup onward, the shipment can be tracked via the client area.

Tracking depends on the information transmitted by carriers and partners. It is updated at the key transport milestones.

Yes, when available. Proof of delivery may take the form of a signature, a delivery status, or a confirmation transmitted by the carrier.

Yes.

Depending on need, Vastorg can study a storage solution with its partners. The terms depend on volume, duration, wine value, and storage requirements.

Depending on need, Vastorg can study an arrangement suited to recurring flows or regular orders. The terms depend on volume, destinations, and the systems used.

Yes. Vastorg can arrange the shipment of bottles bought at the cellar door or at the estate to the client's country of residence, where regulation permits.

Yes. Vastorg can let an estate offer a shipping solution to its visitors so they don't have to carry their bottles themselves.

Yes, depending on the arrangement. Vastorg can consolidate several purchases before shipping to a single destination.

Yes. Vastorg can arrange wine gift shipments, provided the destination allows that type of shipment.

Yes. Vastorg can run client-gift operations, premium gift boxes, or multi-address shipments.

Yes. Vastorg can arrange professional deliveries for client gifts, internal events, receptions, or relationship operations.

Yes, subject to feasibility. For a dated event, it is recommended to anticipate the shipment and plan a safety margin.

Yes. For private clients, wine houses, concierges, and premium events, Vastorg can study a more confidential and bespoke arrangement.

The United States applies specific rules for alcohol imports. It is necessary to work with a licensed importer and to comply with federal and local formalities.

No. Rules vary by state. A shipment that is possible in one state may be limited or impossible in another.

Yes. Champagne can be shipped to many destinations, subject to the rules of the destination country.

Depending on the destination, specific documents may be required. Shipments outside the European Union may require particular attention to origin, appellation, commercial documents, and customs formalities.

They may require particular attention due to their internal pressure and commercial value. Packaging and transport choice must be adapted.

A hold may be due to a missing document, inconsistent information, a tax to settle, a local restriction, or an inspection. Vastorg steps in to identify the cause and coordinate next steps with the relevant partners.

Depending on the case, goods may be returned, held, destroyed, or subjected to additional procedures. Associated fees depend on the situation and local rules.

Yes, in some cases. A return involves specific formalities and must be organised carefully, particularly if the goods have already been declared on export or import.

Inform Vastorg quickly. Depending on the destination and carrier, several options can be studied: redelivery, return, temporary storage, or a specific instruction.

The recipient must photograph the parcel, keep the packaging, and report the incident immediately. These elements are essential to open a claim.

Vastorg can check the shipment status with the carrier or local partner. Delays can be linked to transport, customs, weather, an incomplete address, or the recipient's absence.

No. No forwarder can fully guarantee the absence of inspections or holds. What Vastorg does is prepare the documents and transport setup to reduce risk and facilitate processing.

Lead times are estimates unless a specific commitment is confirmed in writing. They may be affected by customs inspections, weather, public holidays, local restrictions, or exceptional events.

Yes. Vastorg may refuse or postpone a shipment if the destination, product, packaging, documents, or transport conditions present an unmanaged risk.

The client remains responsible for the information provided about the goods. Vastorg can support the logistical and documentary preparation, but the underlying information must be accurate.

Yes. Vastorg can set up a dedicated arrangement for estates, négociants, importers, or distributors with recurring shipments.

Yes. For professional flows, the client has a dedicated point of contact.

Yes. Vastorg can help structure the first shipments: documents, transport, customs, excise, incoterm choice, and verification of destination constraints.

Yes. Vastorg can arrange the shipment of samples, bottles, or materials to trade fairs, competitions, tastings, or professional events.

Yes. Samples must be declared correctly, even when they are not intended for sale. The value, purpose, and documents must be consistent.

Yes. Vastorg can study the complete or partial transfer of a private cellar, within France or internationally.

You should inventory the bottles, identify high-value items, specify the pickup and delivery locations, check access constraints, and choose the appropriate level of protection.

Yes, with particular care. Old vintages can be more sensitive to vibration, temperature variations, and handling.

Insurance can be studied depending on the declared value, available supporting documents, and transport conditions.

Yes, subject to regulatory feasibility. Rules differ by country and depending on whether the wine is treated as a personal effect, gift, or commercial good.

Payment can be made by bank card or bank transfer.

Yes. Vastorg always provides an invoice for the services delivered.

Yes, if that fits your commercial setup. Billing terms are between the seller and their client.

At minimum: pickup address, delivery address, number of bottles, formats, value, wine type, alcohol content, origin, recipient status, and desired lead time.

It is preferable to verify documents before departure. Vastorg can help identify missing information.

It depends on the country and the type of shipment. For some destinations, a licence or authorised importer may be indispensable.

You should set a consistent declared value based on an invoice, estimate, or reasonable commercial value. This value matters for customs and insurance.

In some non-commercial cases, a pro forma invoice can be used. The required documents depend on the shipment purpose and the destination country.

Yes, but each reference must be properly described when the documents require it: appellation, wine type, quantity, format, alcohol content, and value.

It depends on the products, the carrier, and the destination. It is preferable to separate or clearly declare goods when the applicable regimes differ.