Shipping Home a Box From Cal?

I've only been asked once and I said I was shipping motorcycle parts. Just don't tell them it is beer. If you print your own labels you don't even have to talk to them.

 

You're shipping lava lamps, right?

 

The whole point in mentioning something liquid like olive oils or something is to explain the sloshing sound the beer makes, telling them something like motorcycle parts would be the same as telling them anything non liquid. Some people throw rice or dry beans in to mask the noise but that usually makes it worse since FedEx/UPS may think something is broken inside and want to investigate.

 

I've never heard the sloshing sound with the boxes I pack. I usually use a lot of newspaper or paper bags to put between the bottles, and the box walls so the sound won't even travel through it. From the boxes I received from others they don't use nearly as much as I do. It adds a few extra pounds, and dollars, but I'd rather be safe than sorry.

 

Yeah, I mean it depends how you pack, the more packing material the better sound insulation, but not knowing how the OP packs I'd say tell them it's Olive Oil BBQ sauce or something just to be safe.

 

dont say oils, that will make them investigate and charge more because some oils fall in to a hazard class and will be considered dangerous goods.

 

Ah well that sucks....do BBQ sauce then.

I've never been asked what I am shipping, but now I am glad I haven't been cause I would have said Olive Oil.

 

I say lava lamps too.

 

I have expereinced the "investigate" as well with rice.

 

Pack really, really well and they'll never hear anything sloshing. I use foam padding on the inside walls of my boxes and it muffles any sound. Plus, I've never had a bottle break/leak.

 

Baha, really? And I thought I was unique.

 

Depending on the size of the hotel, they may have FedEx coming and going on a daily basis. I'd just print a label in the business center (or your own printer if you travel with that) and see if you can schedule a pick up at the front desk of the hotel. That would mitigate most nosiness. Gig em

 

If possible, find an independently owned fed ex. If you show up and buy all your packing supplies, you can chat the owner up about the (insert cover story here) you're going to be shipping back home. When you come in and drop off, they won't even bother you.

 

I've checked a box as luggage a few times with no issue. I'm guessing you aren't doing that b/c of the checked luggage fees? Maybe just check the box and carry on your other luggage to avoid additional fees. That way you can just have you box with you basically the entire way and not have to depend on FedEx.

 

I would just check the box, it was comparable to the shipping cost for a 6 wine shipper. In addition the package wont be subject to the summer heat for as long.

 

I usually just say its semen samples...who the hell is gonna check that?

 

Did this a few weeks ago with a 12 bottle shipper of RR/Alpine IPAs. One day of travel and they were in the fridge for maybe $5 more than it costs me to ship a box cross country. Hell, probably came in cheaper than shipping 12 bottles would...my boxes of usually 8 bottles or so to my trade partner run somewhere around $20.

 

I've taped a photo of a snow globe on the outside that I printed off the internet to "explain" the sloshing.

 

Or just ship your clothes and pack your bags full of beer. If you bubble wrap them good they will be fine. I've done many cross country trips with bags full of beer and never had a break. Even had one inspected with no problems. They unwrapped about 20 bottles and taped them back up.