USPS Shipping

Also the letter I received from FedEx said it is illegal, unless I'm a licensed distributor. And they're requiring a follow up letter stating what I am doing to correct the shipment of alcohol.

 

I really don't trade all that much, but it's simple. Baggie each bottle if you can, line the box with a trash bag, foam each bottle and secure the cap, sometimes I tape sometimes I stretchy wrap the caps. Plenty of foam around and on top, protects and quiets the box, if done right you won't need tic tacs or corn of anything else in the box to cover the slosh. More packing is better than an extra bottle of beer, your first priority is making sure the primary beer in the trade arrives safely.

 

I can shed a little light on this as I work for one of the major carriers mentioned above: It is illegal unless you are a licensed distributor. As to what we will actually do about it depends on how/where the contents are discovered. If you received a letter it's because one of the bottled likely broke in one of our HUBS and affected the overall sort. This gets documented and must be addressed (think corporate CYA). More often than not, a well packed shipment passes unnoticed. In the event the shipment is damaged in a station, you will be contacted via phone # provided, verbally spanked and informed your shipment will be "destroyed" (I've personally "destroyed" my share of these, Mmmmm). Packaging is key on these shipments. It's ok to go overboard on the precious cargo. Truth be told, you guys are small change and aren't worth the time/money involved in notifying authorities. Just be smart, and don't cheap out on the packaging.

 

I've shipped 5-6 beers in a 16 cube box, over packed? Probably so, but they get there intact. I'd rather send two than force it, lost a box of bcbs this way won't happen again.

 

Yikes! I pack up to 9 12oz. in a 12 cube and 12 to 14 in a 14 cube. I guess that is overpacking, but I overwrap as well. That's one of the reasons why I always double box. A 12 cube will go into a 14 cube, 14 into a 16. That's why I reenforce each seam, fold, corner and flap on the box with packing tape. To help prevent a box from bursting after it is accidentally dropped or flap getting caught on something and ripping open.

 

To be fair two were bombers both kinda pricy, one not replacable.