📦 How to Ship Wine Home from Abroad (What You Need to Know)

Ever wonder about shipping wine home from international travel?

During our recent South American adventure, if you followed along, you may have seen me mention shipping wines home. And did you wonder about how we did it?

Before we started traveling on wine adventures, we wondered how this would work…you find a wine that you want to enjoy at home, but how do you get it there? Is it super expensive? Soooo many questions…

If you’re like us, you may visit multiple wineries on a trip, find several wines you’d love to enjoy at home at each winery (wine is our souvenir, after all!), and realize that you cannot have a whole set of wine transportation suitcases 🧳 (like this one – note this is an affiliate link, so I may be paid if you make a purchase)! Where would you put your clothes??? Although this version has space for clothes AND wine!

We began working with our guides and the wineries we visit to understand shipping, and realized it can be done! 

❗️Before You Ship Wine Home, Know These Key Things:

1. The initial shipping quote may surprise you.
International shipping isn’t cheap — but don’t immediately say no. In lesser-known wine regions, bottle prices are often so reasonable that even with shipping, the cost per bottle can still be a great value.

2. Domestic shipping (like from Napa) is simpler — but still ask questions.
If you’re shipping from Napa or another U.S. wine region, logistics are easier. That said, costs vary widely. Always ask if shipping can be discounted or waived with a larger purchase.

3. Don’t ship just one or two bottles.
It’s rarely worth it. If you’re buying a few bottles at multiple wineries, consolidate them into one shipment to improve the cost per bottle.

4. Work with your guide.
Many private guides will coordinate shipping for you (usually for a fee). This can make the process seamless and save you significant time and confusion. When shipping wine home from Italy last year, our private wine guide coordinated consolidation and international courier pickup. He made it so easy!

5. Ask about consolidating across wineries.
Some wineries will coordinate with local shipping companies to collect bottles from multiple estates and combine everything into one shipment. We found this especially helpful for our trip in Argentina.

6. Factor in import duties and fees.
In addition to shipping costs, you may need to pay import taxes before your wine is released for delivery. Be sure to include this in your overall cost calculation. For example, a shipment of 5 wines from Chile cost between $60 USD and $98 USD. It depends upon total cost of the wine, but that’s an additional cost on top of the wines and shipping.

7. Focus on wines you can’t easily buy at home.
Don’t ship something you can order from your local wine shop or online retailer. Prioritize small-production, winery-only, or hard-to-find bottles.

8. Keep detailed records.
Take photos of receipts and note exactly what’s being shipped. If you use a wine inventory app, like CellarTracker, enter the wines as “pending” so nothing gets lost in the process.

9. Understand country limits.
Some regions limit how many bottles you can ship per person or per winery. Be aware of restrictions before making large purchases.

10. Ask about temperature control.
If shipping during warm months, ask whether temperature-controlled options are available. Don’t risk heat damage on special bottles without understanding the conditions.

11. Be prepared that some wineries won’t ship internationally.
If that’s the case, consider enjoying a bottle during your trip — perhaps during a relaxed evening by the pool or fire.

Because we love the whole experience of a wine – the moment we first tasted it, the people we were with, the view from where we were sitting – bringing that wine home is better than a t-shirt or a snow globe. Shipping is something we now just factor into our trips. 

Nothing quite beats sitting on our lanai 🏝️, opening a bottle from our travels, and having the memories rush back. So don’t hesitate to ship wines! And after shipping wine home from Italy, Argentina, Chile, and Napa multiple times, we’ve learned exactly when it’s worth it — and when it’s not.

Do your research in advance – ask your guide, or even reach out to one of the wineries you’ll be visiting. Know what you can buy at home, and think through the cost per bottle. We’ve  found amazing wines that still cost less than a decent bottle from Napa even after factoring in the shipping, so that is absolutely worth it for us. 🍷

📦 Are you pro-shipping or no-shipping? We’d love to know! And if you have questions, drop them below!🍷