Is there a limit or any problems with shipping wines home directly from the wineries in France?

Marty, <BR>I think it depends on the size of the producer you visit. On a couple of different occasions, we have visited numerous boutique vineyards and they were not equipped to package and ship what we bought. This may not be the case if you visit some of the larger mass production facilities. have them box it for you and bring it back on the plane with you. <BR> <BR>Steve

Yes, for all practical purposes it cannot be done unless you are a licensed importer with your state's alcoholic beverage commission. <BR> <BR>For more info on bringing wine home - - from a previous post: <BR> <BR>From the Wine Spectator, a little bit out of date, but as far as anyone knows, all the information in it is still factually correct: <BR> <BR>"Getting Your Wine Through Customs" <BR> http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Sp...ollecting.html <BR> <BR>It seems to be the consensus in both this article and all over this forum that it is essentially impossible to ship wine home. <BR> <BR>Best wishes, <BR> <BR>Rex <BR>

I believe the shipper would have to have an export license and probably a US import license. Few small wineries have those. Even then, shipping is likely to be very expensive. <BR> <BR>Much easier and cheaper to carry on the plane with you. (Don't plan on checking them ... they won't be accepted as baggage.) <BR> <BR>twenj

On a trip in May 2000, we stayed at Chateau Mercues. They make their own wine on a rather large scale (Cahors). The price was great so our friend bought several cases. The chateau could not assist with shipping because they have a marketing deal with someone in the US. We took the wine to DHL in Bordeaux and they repacked it in styrofoam sleeves. The young man was very nice and refused to charge us. He and his supervisor told us they were pleased we enjoyed French wine so much and we should consider it French hospitality. They wouldn't ship it for us, some kind of customs regulation, but they suggested we take it home as baggage. When we returned to Paris we wrapped the boxes in plain paper, tied them together with twine and each of us shipped 2 cases home on American. Other than limiting our shopping for the rest of the trip because our baggage allowance was met, not a problem. I wish we had brought some Muscadet home too! Enjoy

Maureen, may I ask how much you had to pay for customs duty? I've often thought of doing this but don't know how to figure out the duty on wine.

I don't recall, but it wasn't too too much. I think I was no longer a "buy" but it was still fun having wine from a place where you stayed and had an opportunity to tour their operation and awesome wine cellar. If you ever stay there make sure you tell them you'd like to see it. They are justifiably proud! They were equally gracious at Chateau D'Artigny where Jerome showed us their cellars and because I'm a gourmet cook, their many kitchens. What a country!

I have heard more than one story of a traveler with a case or more in luggage (carry-on or checked) making a major effort to declare and pay duty on wine - - and being waved through - - implying that they simply were not interested. <BR> <BR>Note that "duty" (federal) and taxes which may be owed to your state or local jurisdiction (or the locality where you land) are two different things. <BR> <BR>And this forum also has stories of the entire case of wine being confiscated for lack of compliance with the relevant LOCAL or state regulations. <BR> <BR>

I've posted answers to this before on this forum, but here goes again. On our last trip in May, we took and empty 21" carry on bag on wheels stuffed with bubble wrap. We were able to get 13 bottles of wine in the suitcase and carry it on the plane. No problems at customs, etc. Many of the wineries we visited told us that they could only ship to the US if they had a US distributor. They would ship to the distributor, who would then ship to their distributor in your state (again, if they have one). You must then pick up the wine at the distributor, and pay any duty or taxes that were incurred. PS,most of the smaller wineries in Burgundy DO NOT have US distributors, they said it was far to expensive for them. Those are the ones that we brought home.

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