I've shipped beer before, but I'm working on some trades that will be more than 12 bombers. Anyone have suggestions on the best way to ship more than a dozen 22oz bottles? This is my usual procedure: Bubble wrap each bottle. Pack with peanuts and newspaper. Seal box. Wrap box in bubble wrap and put in a slightly bigger box. Ship FedEx marked FRAGILE and THIS SIDE UP. The problem with larger trades is finding boxes big enough. Standard beer, wine, and spirits boxes will hold 12 brews, but not more. Of course it can be broken up into two boxes, or I can buy bigger boxes at FedEx, but I was wondering if anyone had any pointers, tips, or suggestions. Every so often I get a trade in a wine shipping container like these http://www.uline.com/BL_5450/Styrofoam-Wine-Shippers But buying those sometimes means spending more on a box and shipping than the beer inside is worth. How do you guys ship beer, and what are some of your dos and don'ts?
Sounds like you've got a pretty good method going. I try to keep my boxes around 25lbs or less. If I'm sending more than that, I'll break it down into two boxes. I've found that it actually doesn't make it much more expensive to ship two boxes, as FedEx charges mainly based on total weight.
Have one damaged or confiscated shipment and you'll see the price of the extra shipping material (the styro boxes) is worth the price and peace of mind. I will also break it up into two boxes.
Walmart sells 14x14x14 & 16x16x16 boxes for less than $1 each... I've used these for the box in a box on larger trades. One time I sent about 8 bombers and 15 small bottles/cans by wrapping them individually as you described
I just grab a box from the beer store that 12 750ml come in (try to find one that has dividers all the way to the top), bubble wrap each bomber put them in this box, top of with peanuts or filler, get a 16x16x16 at walmart for around $1, then pad the bigger box and place in the wine/beer box and you will still have plenty of room to fit probably five more bombers and some padding. I usually put the smaller box in a trash bag and seal it up too just in case. I just sent 17 bottles yesterday this way.
