What are the restrictions for sending Alcohol / Spirits to United States?

Quantity/weight limits: Licensed shippers only. Documentation required: Alcohol shipping license, Adult signature required.

POSTING RULE

Send Alcohol / Spirits → 🇺🇸 United States

Q: Can I post Alcohol / Spirits to United States?

FedEx/UPS accept from licensed shippers only USPS prohibits all alcohol shipments — domestic and international — under DMM 601.10. Private carriers (FedEx, UPS, DHL Express) accept alcohol only under a contractual agreement that requires the sender to hold a Federal Basic Permit (TTB). Adult-signature delivery is mandatory and recipient must be 21+. Personal gifts of homemade wine / spirits between individuals are categorically refused; the parcel will be returned or destroyed.

ANSWER

Can I post Alcohol / Spirits to United States?

RESTRICTEDVERIFIED · 2026-04-25HIGH CONFIDENCE

FedEx/UPS accept from licensed shippers only

QUANTITY / LIMITS

Licensed shippers only

DOCUMENTS

Alcohol shipping license
Adult signature required

DECLARATION

Required at the destination customs authority

SOURCE

cbp.gov

Verify against the official customs authority before acting on this answer.Report a correction

Full Details

USPS prohibits all alcohol shipments — domestic and international — under DMM 601.10. Private carriers (FedEx, UPS, DHL Express) accept alcohol only under a contractual agreement that requires the sender to hold a Federal Basic Permit (TTB). Adult-signature delivery is mandatory and recipient must be 21+. Personal gifts of homemade wine / spirits between individuals are categorically refused; the parcel will be returned or destroyed.

PENALTIES

Fine: 250–10000 USD
Statute: 19 USC § 1497 (failure to declare); 39 USC § 3005 (postal fraud)
USPS CN22/CN23 mis-declaration or undervaluation on inbound postal parcels triggers civil monetary penalty and duty re-assessment. Repeat offences escalate to fraud (19 USC 1592) with penalties up to 4× the duty value.

PRACTICAL ADVICE

Consumers cannot mail alcohol via USPS. Use FedEx or UPS Wine Shipping programs through licensed retailers.

OFFICIAL SOURCES

cbp.gov pe.usps.com ttb.gov

POSTING DETAILS

QUANTITY / WEIGHT LIMITS

Licensed shippers only

DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED

—Alcohol shipping license
—Adult signature required

LEGAL REFERENCE

USPS DMM 601, FedEx/UPS alcohol policies

DESTINATION CUSTOMS

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

COUNTRY POSTING NOTES

Postal imports no longer have a duty-free de minimis threshold: the USD 800 Section 321 exemption is suspended for mail shipments from all countries, and since 24 July 2026 CBP's postal informal entry process applies to mail shipments unless formal entry is required. Bona fide gifts up to USD 100 remain exempt. USPS international parcels are subject to CBP examination. Commercial shipments via post require formal entry if over $2,500.