Getting a bottle shipped from England

[Timothy B.]

I've just purchased a bottle of Greek brandy (a particular bottling of Metaxa) from a private party in England, but they can't/won't ship outside the UK.

Any thoughts on how I can get it out to California, intact?

[Roel B]

I've just purchased a bottle of Greek brandy (a particular bottling of Metaxa) from a private party in England, but they can't/won't ship outside the UK.

Any thoughts on how I can get it out to California, intact?

If they are willing to ship it outside the UK, but inside the EU (Netherlands) and you're willing to wait until April, I'll be happy to take it with me.

Shipping a small parcel from the UK->Netherlands will cost around GBP 7 to 15, depending on the carrier.

Regards,

Roel.

[Derek T.]

I've just purchased a bottle of Greek brandy (a particular bottling of Metaxa) from a private party in England, but they can't/won't ship outside the UK.

Any thoughts on how I can get it out to California, intact?

If they are willing to ship it outside the UK, but inside the EU (Netherlands) and you're willing to wait until April, I'll be happy to take it with me.

Shipping a small parcel from the UK->Netherlands will cost around GBP 7 to 15, depending on the carrier.

Regards,

Roel.

This is what FTLOP and the Port-drinking community is all about.

Roel, you are a gentleman.

Timothy, welcome to our world.

[David Spriggs]

Hand carrying the brandy to the US is by far your best bet of getting it here legally. Currently I know of no way for an individual to import liquor to the US. Wine is no problem, but liquor is tough.

[Timothy B.]

Roel, thank you for the offer, but after some back and forth, I found someone who will be coming out to California from London in December.

The twist to all this is that it's a coworker of the person whom the bottle will be a present for. I have a feeling this may turn out to not be a surprise gift.

But it's done now.

Edit add: David, I agree about the hand carrying. A backup plan was to ship to a friend near London to keep until I could get out to England.

I've ordered absinthe from overseas, and the last two shipments both arrived opened. One was sorta-kinda closed with tape that read "Opened and resealed by the US Post Office". The other had a flag hanging open and the wax-sealed bottle had the wax knocked off, though I can't say if the fill level was low. Perhaps the Office of Homeland Security drew off a sample to check for bombs...