Buying bourbon online means following strict rules set by both national and state governments. You’ll need to order from licensed sellers who can legally ship alcohol and use shipping companies like FedEx or UPS, since the post office won’t ship alcohol. Some states like Arizona, Florida, and Kentucky let you receive bourbon shipments, while others like Mississippi and Utah don’t allow it at all. When shipping bourbon, there are extra costs – someone over 21 must sign for the package, special boxes are needed, and shipping companies charge more for alcohol delivery. Knowing these rules helps you buy bourbon online without problems.
Key Takeaways
- Check your state’s laws first, as some states like Mississippi and Utah completely ban home alcohol deliveries.
- Only use authorized retailers with proper federal permits and shipping agreements with FedEx or UPS, never USPS.
- Expect additional costs for special packaging, adult signature requirements, state taxes, and increased shipping insurance.
- Verify seller legitimacy through business licenses, secure payment methods, and detailed product descriptions.
- Be prepared for delivery delays due to permit requirements, age verification processes, and local county regulations.
Legal Requirements for Online Shipping
Shipping bourbon online requires following rules at three levels: federal, state, and shipping company policies.
Sellers need basic permits under federal law, following both the Federal Alcohol Administration Act and the 21st Amendment.
Before sending bourbon, businesses must get special agreements with shipping companies.
While FedEx and UPS allow alcohol shipments with special contracts, the US Postal Service does not allow any alcohol shipping.
Each state also has its own rules about shipping alcohol, and some states like Mississippi and Utah ban all alcohol shipments to homes.
The Webb-Kenyon Act makes sure these state rules are followed by stopping any alcohol shipments that break local laws.
Breaking these rules can lead to punishment by federal alcohol authorities.
Finding Trustworthy Bourbon Retailers
Finding good bourbon sellers online takes some careful checking to make sure you’re getting real products and safe ways to buy. Look at how clear their website is, check if they have safety badges, and make sure you can find real business details about them.
- Check if the seller is real by looking for their business license, official papers, and listings in business directories.
- Look at their bourbon selection, making sure they give good details about each drink and ways to prove they’re real.
- Make sure they use safe ways to handle payments and have clear rules about returns.
Pick sellers who follow the rules, help customers quickly when needed, and get good reviews on different websites. Stay away from sellers with poorly made websites, those who push too hard to make a sale, or ask for strange ways to pay.
Always go with sellers who follow your state’s rules about shipping alcohol and keep the right paperwork for selling liquor online.
State-Specific Delivery Rules
Bourbon delivery rules are very different across U.S. states, with some places letting customers order spirits straight to their homes while others don’t allow it at all.
States handle bourbon delivery in a few main ways. Some states like Arizona, Florida, Hawaii, Kentucky, and Nebraska are open to shipping all types of spirits.
On the other hand, states like Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Utah don’t let people receive any alcohol shipments at home.
Some states have special rules – California only lets small distilleries ship their products, while Nevada recently changed its rules to stop all spirits delivery.
Many states, including Massachusetts, Montana, Ohio, Oregon, and Virginia, only allow wine and beer deliveries, leaving spirits off the list completely.
Understanding Shipping Costs
Bourbon shipping prices depend on many rules and steps that add to the final cost. Knowing these costs helps you save money when buying bourbon online.
Shipping companies need special permits and must follow strict rules about how to send alcohol.
- All shipments need an adult to sign for them, must use special foam boxes, and require clear labels showing what’s inside.
- You’ll also pay extra for state taxes, permits, following rules, and higher shipping insurance.
- Shipping prices change based on how it’s sent (by truck or plane), where it’s going, and how many bottles you can ship.
To ship bourbon successfully, you need to think about all these pieces since they add up to your total cost.
Big shipping companies like UPS and FedEx need special agreements to ship alcohol, and different state laws affect the prices too.
Tracking Your Bourbon Order
When we confirm your bourbon order, keeping track of your shipment helps make sure it arrives safely. You’ll get email updates after we pack your order, and tracking links will work within 2 days of shipping. Keep an eye on your tracking info, since updates might not show up until your package reaches the final delivery hub.
| Delivery Phase | Timeline | Requirements |
| Processing | 2-7 business days | Valid address |
| Weekend Orders | 3-7 business days | Process starts Monday |
| Overseas | 7-21 working days | Import regulations |
| Delivery Window | 8am-9pm M-F | Adult signature |
Our delivery partners will try to deliver your package three times before keeping it at their warehouse. Orders that need an adult to sign can’t go to PO Boxes, military addresses, or mail forwarding services. Once your order is on its way, we can’t change the delivery address, so please make sure your address is correct when ordering.
Safe Packaging Methods
We make sure your bourbon arrives safely by using strong, protective packaging. Our boxes have thick padding inside and strong bottoms, plus special features to protect against hot and cold temperatures. We also use earth-friendly packaging materials when we can.
- Each bottle gets wrapped in thick bubble wrap (at least 2 inches) and kept apart by sturdy cardboard dividers.
- Our boxes have two layers of walls and extra padding to keep bottles from moving.
- Special temperature controls keep bottles at the right heat level during shipping.
Our packaging follows all FedEx Wine rules and shipping laws. We use approved materials, put clear labels on boxes, and make sure shipping stickers show which way boxes should be handled.
Common Delivery Obstacles
Getting bourbon delivered today comes with several roadblocks, mainly due to state rules and permits.
Six states don’t allow any alcohol deliveries to homes, while others keep tight control by running their own liquor stores or using multi-step distribution chains.
Deliveries often run late because of different permit needs and checking buyers’ age at several steps.
Stores must follow many state-specific rules about how much bourbon they can ship and what kinds of bottles they can use.
Adding delivery services to the mix makes things even harder, since each area has different rules about outside companies delivering alcohol.
Even in states that let bourbon be shipped, local county rules can make deliveries tricky.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Buy Bourbon Online as a Gift and Ship Directly?
You can send bourbon as a gift by buying from legal sellers who deliver alcohol. Just make sure the person getting it is old enough to drink and your state allows alcohol shipping.
How Long Does Bourbon Stay Fresh After Opening the Bottle?
An opened bottle of bourbon will stay good for 6 months to 2 years if you store it right. To keep it tasting its best, make sure the cap is on tight, keep the bottle standing up, and store it somewhere cool and dark.
What’s the Best Temperature to Store Bourbon Purchased Online?
Keep bourbon between 59-68°F (15-20°C) for the best storage. These cool temperatures help keep the bourbon’s taste fresh and stop it from breaking down or mixing with too much air. When stored at the right temperature, your bourbon will stay good and keep its rich flavors.
Are Limited-Edition Bourbons More Likely to Be Authentic From Online Retailers?
Limited-edition bourbons sold online can be real or fake, depending on where you buy them. Your best bet is to shop from well-known, trusted stores that work directly with bourbon makers. Be careful with unknown sellers, as they’re more likely to sell fake bottles.
Can I Return Bourbon if the Seal Is Unbroken?
Most stores won’t take back bourbon, even if you haven’t opened it. The law and safety rules make it hard to return any alcohol, and stores follow these rules carefully.
Conclusion
Buying bourbon online means following the rules set by both federal and state governments while making sure the bottles arrive safely. To order successfully, you need to buy from sellers with proper licenses, know what your local laws allow, and check that bottles are packed safely for shipping. It’s important to understand shipping fees, how to track your order, and what problems might come up along the way to stay within the law. When you stick to these steps, you can get your bourbon delivered legally and safely, with the bottles arriving in perfect condition. Browse our selection at Nation Wide Liquor to find your favorite bourbon and enjoy the convenience of doorstep delivery.