Mailing alcohol overseas

[nancypants]

Hi all,

My idiot brother is very into coughtails; I have been meaning to get some green ant gin across to him (in the UK) for a while, however of course this plan has been curtailed somewhat by Covid and the closed border

I decided the logical answer was to buy a bottle and stick it in the mail. Unfortunately, I am also an idiot and this failed to recognise the flaw in this plan

I am thus opening myself up to suggestions from the forum- it appears that I may be able to use DHL or similar although I am struggling to find out if that is in fact possible?

I did reach out to my circle to see if anyone was travelling that could perhaps carry it but unfortunately travel not picking up as yet

 

[Spongbob]

Taxes and import duties could be a problem.

 

[nancypants]

Taxes and import duties could be a problem.

I’m less worried about that aspect as I won’t be the one paying

 

[justinbrett]

I've sent alcohol from the UK to Australia many times with DHL (to myself if I'm over there, or I have a mate send me stuff if I'm not).

DHL is fine with it between our two countries (but for example, private customers can't mail to/from USA). Some of the smaller agents might not be aware of it and say you can't, but either get them to check the rules or go to another agent. I

Customs will be payable at the other end - it's the standard alcohol import tax (as if you were over duty free limit) which is around $80/L - pure alcohol - so for 40% 700ml gin would be $28. Plus GST, and a clearance fee (around $15 I think). UK is £28.74/L so will be less (around A$15).

It's probably worth sending a couple of items at the same time - perhaps pair it with the Bush Apple gin as well?

Hopefully the UK doesn't freak out about having ants in the gin.... Pretty sure they're no threat being embalmed in gin.

I haven't found any other carrier that will take alcohol between private (non-liquor licence holding) customers.

 

[nancypants]

Thanks for this, from Darwin to London the quote seems to be $200+

 

[justinbrett]

Thanks for this, from Darwin to London the quote seems to be $200+

Yeah, as I said, you need to send more than one bottle to make it worthwhile

 

[JackRussel]

Invite your brother over and drink your trump gin together

 

[nancypants]

Invite your brother over and drink your trump gin together

There are several downsides to that approach, not least the risk of having to spend time with a family member