Hello there, I recently moved to the Netherlands, and would like to send a few 330mL bottles of Westvleteren 12 back to the States, but shipping in the Netherlands is very expensive for boxes. Shipping tubes, like those used for posters and art prints, are much cheaper. Has anyone ever put a bottle or two into a shipping tube? Obviously I would pad it and package it carefully, but I figured since tubes are specifically built not to crease or damage easily, it would be ideal for packaging bottles. Of course, you can only send one or two, but that's all I'm interested in. The beer is expensive enough as it is. Of course, I could be completely wrong. Has anyone ever tried it? Did it work?
Never shipped anything in tubes, but I received a shipment of glassware in tubes and everything arrived in one piece. But of course, YMMV.
It could work if you get the really thick-walled tubes. The standard thinner tubes are flimsy and can pop open or get crushed easily.
Are the tubes big enough to fit a bottle wrapped in the dense foam that Belgium in a Box uses? That might work... would still make me nervous, though.
I received a couple of 12oz bottles from a trade a while back in a tube. It was one of the thick tubes and the beers had padding between each other in the tube, but were otherwise directly against the sides of the tube. They made it safe and sound.
The first Beer it Forward in BA history was done in a shipping tube. (two 12 ounce bottles) It made it through like ten people and there was not a single problem. It was very thick walled as I recall.
I'm willing to let you test them by sending me a couple bottles. I'll let you know if it all turns out good Although I have never mailed beer in them, I sometimes use them when bring beer in my checked bags when flying.
