Everything about shipping 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.

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.

Vastorg specialises in shipping wine and champagne, and nothing else. That deliberately narrow scope is what makes negotiated rates, bottle-calibrated packaging and command of wine-specific formalities possible.

No other type of goods is handled.

Vastorg is reserved for wine professionals: producers, négociants, wine merchants, distributors, importers, agents and online retailers.

The platform is built for shipments from a professional to their end customer, whether that customer is a business or a private individual.

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

A member is a client who has subscribed to the Vastorg platform. The subscription gives access to rates negotiated specifically for members, which are lower than the rates offered to clients without a subscription.

Because it is the members themselves who make those rates possible. We pool the volumes of all our members and negotiate with carriers on that basis every year.

So the subscription is not a cost added on top of transport: it is the condition that unlocks rates an individual shipper would not obtain alone.

Three plans are available, differing only in commitment length: annual, quarterly, or no commitment. All three give access to the same rates and the same services.

Plan details and prices are on the Our offers page.

The price shown covers transport and the fuel surcharge. It is an all-in price, with no fees added at invoicing.

Not included: packaging, ad valorem insurance if you choose to take it, and any import duties, taxes and charges, which depend on the destination.

You enter your destination, the number of bottles and their format. The platform instantly shows the available shipping options, each with its estimated transit time and all-in price.

You pick the option that suits you, book it and pay online. All that is left is to print the label and schedule the pickup.

No. The subscription carries no volume commitment. You ship at your own pace, whether that is a one-off shipment or a steady flow.

That is the point of the model: volume is pooled across all members rather than demanded from each one.

Compare rates and book a shipment, generate your transport labels, schedule pickups, track shipments in transit, review your shipping history, order certified cartons, access your address book and retrieve your invoices.

Certified NakPack cartons are ordered directly from your member area.

Presentation boxes, winery cartons and wooden cases are not designed for international transport and cannot be used on their own.

No. Vastorg offers ad valorem insurance, which you take out at the time of booking. It stays under your control: you decide, shipment by shipment, whether to cover the declared value.

Yes. The terms depend on the plan: the monthly plan can be cancelled each month, while the quarterly and annual plans end at the close of the current period.

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

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.

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. On written request, Vastorg can produce a tax estimate based on the information you provide.

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. On a quotation basis, Vastorg can arrange 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. The available countries are listed at the start of the shipping process.

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.

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.

Pickup takes place at the professional shipper’s premises: estate, winery, warehouse, wine merchant’s shop, and so on.

The pickup address is entered at booking, and the collection is then scheduled from your member area.

Yes, subject to operational availability.

Yes.

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.

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, it is not permitted. Presentation boxes and standard winery cartons are not designed to withstand the stresses of international transport.

Vastorg can supply suitable packaging based on the shipment.

No. The wine must be taken out of the wooden case and packed in a carton suited to international transport. A wooden case protects presentation but is not sufficient as transport packaging.

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.

As a general rule, you will 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. Some destinations may require additional information.

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.

Vastorg does not draw up customs documents and takes no part in preparing them. Its role is one of orchestration: gathering the required information, passing it to the competent partners who issue the documents and complete the formalities, then forwarding those documents to the carrier.

The shipper is solely responsible for the accuracy and consistency of the information declared (nature of the goods, value, origin, recipient, and so on). Vastorg does not verify the information provided.

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 (DDP) 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, and it engages the shipper’s liability.

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.

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.

Yes. Vastorg passes the shipment data to its partner tax representative, who completes the declarative formalities and pays the duties.

The member has nothing to do: you enter your shipment, the rest is taken care of.

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

The DAES, or simplified electronic administrative document, accompanies duty-paid goods moving between professionals within the European Union.

For your destination, the comparison tool shows the offers of the various carriers.

You are the one who picks the carrier and the offer, based on the transit time and price displayed. Vastorg imposes no transport mode and does not choose the routing on your behalf: the platform presents the options, the decision is yours. Vastorg does not act as a commissionnaire de transport (transport commission agent under French law).

Road transport is often suited to shipments within France or to certain nearby destinations.

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

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.

No, lead times are never guaranteed. They 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, we recommend avoiding departures that leave the shipment in transit over a weekend or public holiday.

A parcel shipment covers a small number of bottles: samples, client gifts, or remote orders.

A pallet shipment covers larger volumes, usually bound for a distributor or an importer. The online comparison tool covers parcel shipments; pallet requirements are handled on request for a quotation sent by email.

If you have a specific requirement (short lead time, high value, and so on), please contact us by email so we can build a solution suited to your needs together.

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

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

No, the collection date is a matter for you and the carrier; Vastorg plays no part in setting it. We would nonetheless draw your attention to weather conditions: shipping during heatwaves or periods of frost is inadvisable, as large temperature swings can degrade the product (expansion, cork push, loss of organoleptic quality). It is for you to choose the shipping period best suited to the nature and value of your goods.

Vastorg offers ad valorem insurance, which you take out at the time of booking.

It stays under your control: you decide, shipment by shipment, whether to cover the declared value of your bottles.

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. A full list of the supporting documents required is set out in the client area.

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, you can find your invoices in your client area.

Yes, and it is the estate that drives the operation. The visitor buys their bottles on site, then the estate books the shipment to the visitor’s country of residence.

So it is the professional who contracts and ships, on behalf of their visitor, where the destination’s regulation permits.

Yes. This is the main use of this section: the estate offers shipping at the cellar door, which removes the visitor's constraint of carrying bottles and unlocks sales that would otherwise be capped by what a visitor can take away.

The estate books from its member area and can rebill the transport to its customer if it wishes.

Yes. A member can ship bottles as a gift to a client or partner, provided the destination allows that type of shipment.

The purpose of the shipment must be declared correctly: a gift is still goods in the eyes of customs and the tax authorities of the destination country.

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

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. The documents and information required are listed in the client area.

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.

No, lead times are never guaranteed. They are estimates unless a specific commitment is confirmed in writing, and they may be affected by customs inspections, weather, public holidays, local restrictions, or exceptional events.

The client is solely responsible for the information provided about the goods.

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

With the Enterprise plan, 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.

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.

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, and recipient status.

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.

No. Vastorg is dedicated exclusively to shipping wine and champagne.