Creating Alcohol Shipping Accounts: Fedex Guide

Shipping alcohol via FedEx requires an active FedEx account and a FedEx Alcohol Shipping Agreement. This agreement can be obtained by contacting your FedEx account executive or by scheduling a call with one of their alcohol shipping experts. To ship alcohol with FedEx, you must be a licensed alcohol shipper and comply with all alcohol shipping requirements, including special labelling and packaging rules.

Get a valid FedEx account number

To create a FedEx account for shipping alcohol, you must be a licensed alcohol shipper with the appropriate alcohol licenses. You must also be enrolled in the FedEx alcohol shipping program and have signed the FedEx Alcohol Shipping Agreement.

To get a valid FedEx account number, you must first create a FedEx account. Go to the FedEx website and click on "Open a New FedEx Account". You will then be asked to provide your personal or business information, as well as a credit card number for billing information. Once your account is created, you will receive a nine-digit FedEx account number.

To find your account number, log in to your FedEx account and click on the profile icon. From the drop-down menu, select "My Profile" and then "Account Management". Your account number will be listed among your account details. If you cannot find your account number through the online portal, you can contact FedEx Customer Support for assistance.

It is important to keep your FedEx account number confidential. With your FedEx account, you can access various tools and resources to manage your shipments, view invoices, and track your shipping progress. You can also earn rewards and points for shipping with FedEx, which can be redeemed for gift cards and other offers.

Sign the FedEx Alcohol Shipping Agreement

To ship alcohol via the FedEx network in the U.S. or internationally, you must be approved by FedEx, sign a FedEx Alcohol Shipping Agreement, and comply with all alcohol shipping requirements.

To sign the FedEx Alcohol Shipping Agreement, you must first create a FedEx account if you don't already have one. Once you have a valid FedEx account number, you can contact your FedEx account executive, who will assist you with the authorization process and provide you with the agreement. If you don't have an assigned account executive, you can schedule a call with one of their alcohol shipping experts or call FedEx Customer Service at 1.800.GoFedEx (1.800.463.3339) to request that an account executive call you back.

The Alcohol Shipping Agreement is a formal requirement to legally transport alcoholic beverages through the FedEx network. It ensures that shippers comply with all regulations and policies set by FedEx for the safe and lawful handling of alcohol shipments. This agreement is necessary to verify that the shipper is authorized and meets the specific criteria outlined for alcohol transportation.

For U.S. alcohol shipments, you must create your shipping label using an up-to-date FedEx Ship Manager electronic shipping solution or a FedEx-approved third-party system. Airbills are not permitted. You must identify all alcohol shipments by selecting the alcohol checkbox on your shipping software. Every alcohol shipment in the U.S. or originating in the U.S. must have a label identifying it as such.

Please note that only businesses with appropriate alcohol licenses who have enrolled in the FedEx alcohol shipping program may ship to their customers in select states or countries. Individuals are prohibited from shipping alcohol through FedEx services.

Comply with labelling requirements

To comply with labelling requirements when shipping alcohol with FedEx, you must be a licensed alcohol shipper who has entered into a FedEx Alcohol Shipping Agreement. This means that you must be approved by FedEx and have signed an agreement.

For US alcohol shipments, you must create your shipping label using an up-to-date FedEx Ship Manager electronic shipping solution or a FedEx-approved third-party system. Airbills are not permitted. You must identify all alcohol shipments by selecting the alcohol checkbox on your shipping software. For international alcohol shipments, you may use the FedEx International Air Waybill, but the use of a FedEx Ship Manager solution is encouraged. Every alcohol shipment in the US or originating in the US is required to have a label identifying it as such.

The shipper must be a FedEx-approved alcohol shipper, and the recipient must be a business entity that holds appropriate alcohol licenses. The shipment must otherwise comply with applicable laws. FedEx only transports wine licensee-to-consumer, and direct-to-consumer wine shipments are limited to the destination states outlined in the Direct-to-Consumer Reference Guide and must comply with applicable law. Shippers are required to use updated versions of FedEx automation for shipments containing alcohol, designating whether an alcohol shipment is intended for a "Licensee" or a "Consumer". Shippers should select the "Licensee" designation for alcohol shipments to recipients holding a state and/or federal alcohol-related license. They should select the "Consumer" designation for wine shipped directly to an individual consumer for personal consumption, regardless of the shipment destination. All shipments must comply with all applicable laws and regulations.

Only licensed customers enrolled in the FedEx alcohol shipping program can use the FedEx Print Return Label and FedEx Email Return Label services. The returned goods must be in the original packaging, with the original labelling that is already in compliance with FedEx policy.

Use FedEx-approved packing materials

To ship alcohol via FedEx, you must be a licensed alcohol shipper with a FedEx Alcohol Shipping Agreement in place. This means that individuals are prohibited from shipping alcohol through FedEx services. Only businesses that hold appropriate alcohol licenses (licensees) and are enrolled in the FedEx Alcohol Shipping Program can ship to their customers in approved states and countries.

If you are a licensed alcohol shipper, you must comply with all alcohol shipping requirements, including the use of FedEx-approved packing materials. Here are some guidelines for using FedEx-approved packing materials for shipping alcohol:

FedEx-approved Packing Materials

• Inner Packaging: For the inner packaging, FedEx accepts molded polystyrene as the preferred option. This helps protect the bottles and provides insulation. Pulp dividers and die-cut corrugated units are also acceptable alternatives.
• Outer Packaging: For the outer packaging, a sturdy corrugated carton is required. This provides strength and protection during transportation.
• Insulation: In summer or warm climates, it is recommended to use an insulated box to protect the alcohol from extreme temperatures.
• Temperature Control: FedEx offers temperature-controlled shipping options in certain regions, such as Washington, Oregon, and California. This involves using a refrigerated truck to transport the shipment to a destination hub, after which it is shipped via FedEx Priority Overnight® to the customer.
• Reinforcement: To ensure the package is sturdy and secure, reinforce the bottom of the box with extra tape. You can also use a corrugated pad at the bottom for added stability.
• Alternative Packaging: If you wish to use alternative packaging not listed in the guidelines, you can submit it to FedEx Packaging Services for analysis. They will evaluate its suitability and provide guidance on improving your packaging strategies.

Remember, it is essential to follow the specific packaging requirements for alcohol shipping to ensure the safety and integrity of the shipment. These guidelines help reduce the risk of spoilage, damage, and breakage during transportation.

Contact a FedEx alcohol shipping expert

To ship alcohol via FedEx, you must be a licensed alcohol shipper with an appropriate alcohol license. You must also be enrolled in the FedEx alcohol shipping program and comply with all alcohol shipping requirements.

If you are a business that holds the appropriate alcohol licenses, you could be eligible to ship alcohol via FedEx. To start the authorization process, reach out to your FedEx account executive. If you don't have one, you can schedule a call with one of FedEx's alcohol shipping experts.

To get in touch with a FedEx alcohol shipping expert, you can call FedEx Customer Service at 1.800.GoFedEx (1.800.463.3339) and request that an account executive call you back. You can also visit the FedEx website for more information on how to contact a shipping expert.

Once you have been approved by FedEx, you will need to sign a FedEx Alcohol Shipping Agreement and comply with all labeling, packaging, and returns requirements. For U.S. alcohol shipments, you must create your shipping label using an up-to-date FedEx Ship Manager electronic shipping solution or a FedEx-approved third-party system. Airbills are not permitted. Every alcohol shipment must be identified by selecting the alcohol checkbox on your shipping software. For international alcohol shipments, you may use the FedEx International Air Waybill, but the use of a FedEx Ship Manager solution is encouraged.

It is important to note that individuals are prohibited from shipping alcohol through FedEx services. Only businesses with the appropriate licenses and agreements in place are allowed to ship alcohol through FedEx.

Frequently asked questions