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SHIPPING YOUR WINE COLLECTION You will find many good wines, both store-bought and homemade, here in Italy. The question "can I ship my wine back home" often comes up. The simple answer is "yes". The following article originally appeared in The Panorama, the local base newspaper. I haven't personally verified the information, so if you have questions or comments, please e-mail us or post a message on the boards.
Panorama July 20, 2001 Wine aficionados able to move collections stateside Many service members start a wine collection while stationed in Europe and want to sent it to the United States at the end of their overseas tour. With a little advance planning and patience, connoisseurs of the vintners' craft can continue to enjoy their favorite European vintages if they find a way to ship their collection and surmount federal, state and Internal Revenue Service rules. Under current federal law, it's illegal to transport alcohol in your household goods or unaccompanied baggage shipment. Federal law prohibits mailing of wine or any liquor products through the U.S. Postal Service. How to transport a wine collection state-side: 1. Contact the alcohol control board for the state (http://www.hqusareur.army.mil/opm/state.htm) you intend to ship the collection to, quoting the amount, type and cost of the wine; ask for the conditions they impose on wine shipments, and they will let you know what to do and, if there is any tax to be paid, you pay that before shipping the collection. 2. If the state authorities allow wine shipments, find a local agent who ships wine collections. Personal Property Shipping Office (PPSO) has a list of local agents. 3. A written request for reimbursement must be submitted to the Director, PPSO, prior to shipping the wine collection. 4. After approval has been granted, contact a moving company to arrange for movement of your wine collection. Moving company should provide: · Written contract for the following service · Packing of Wine Collection · Pickup and Delivery to Airport or Port · United States Customs Paperwork and Clearance · State Customs Paperwork and Clearance · Movement from Naples to New Duty Assignment · Delivery to new residence Upon completion of the shipment, you are authorized to submit a claim for reimbursement for the personally-procured transportation costs. The following items are required and must be submitted to NAVTRANS Norfolk, Va. (Navy and Marine Corp) and Defense Finance and Accounting Service (Air Force and Army): · DD 1351-2 or travel voucher · Copy of reimbursement letter · A brief statement that the contents are for the use of the member and not for resale and that the goods were in your possession prior to effective date of your orders · Commercial bill of lading · Shipping company invoice showing the weight and costs of the shipment · Paid in full receipt · Copy of your PCS orders · List of the wines shipped · Total value of the wine · Total bottle count · Paid receipts for state taxes, duty charges and customs fees. Note: insurance, taxes and duties, if any, levied on the shipment are not authorized for reimbursement. Follow these rules and you can continue to enjoy the most delectable delights of Old World viniculture at your new stateside home for many years to come. Stop by or call the Personal Property Shipping Office (PPSO) to find out more about shipping liquor products to the United States.
U.S. personnel returning to stateside on PCS orders may take more duty-free liquor with them than other travelers. They can import four liters of liquor duty-free, (if three liters were made and bottled in the United States). However, this federal exemption only applies where state liquor law allows. Contact your Military Customs Office for more information. |
