Every year thousands of visitors travel to Australia's wine regions, from the Barossa Valley and Margaret River to the Yarra Valley and Hunter Valley, discovering wines they simply cannot buy back home in the United States.
It's a common situation:
- you discover a winery you love while travelling in Australia
- you purchase wine at cellar door
- or you plan to buy wine while visiting Australia and want it shipped home
Then the question arises: how do you actually ship wine to the USA?
Many visitors quickly discover that it's not as simple as putting bottles in a box and sending them with a courier. In fact, most traditional shipping companies cannot compliantly send wine directly to consumers in the United States.
This guide explains why shipping wine to the USA is complicated, and how Get Freighted provides a trusted and compliant solution used by wineries and wine lovers across Australia.
Can You Ship Wine from Australia to the USA?
Yes, wine can be shipped from Australia to the United States for personal consumption, but it cannot usually be sent directly using standard carriers such as DHL, FedEx, UPS or Australia Post due to strict US alcohol import regulations.
Instead, shipments must be processed through a compliant import solution that manages regulatory requirements and licensed delivery partners in the United States.
Get Freighted provides a specialised shipping solution used by more than 1,000 Australian wineries and over 15,000 US customers to safely ship wine from Australia to the USA.
Why You Can't Simply Ship Wine with DHL, FedEx or Australia Post
Many travellers assume they can ship wine using common carriers such as:
- DHL
- FedEx
- UPS
- Australia Post
- Pack & Send
However, these companies generally cannot send wine directly to private consumers in the United States. This is because wine imports into the USA are heavily regulated.
Alcohol imports must comply with:
- US federal alcohol import regulations
- state by state shipping rules
- import permits and compliance requirements
- licensed alcohol import processes
For this reason, most traditional freight forwarders and carriers do not offer consumer wine shipping services to the United States.
Without the correct compliance structure in place, shipments can be refused entry, delayed or returned by US authorities.
The Get Freighted Solution for Shipping Wine to the USA
Get Freighted has developed a unique and compliant shipping solution specifically designed for tourists and consumers who want to ship wine from Australia to the USA.
This service has been operating for more than 10 years and has successfully delivered wine to over 15,000 satisfied customers across the United States.
The solution works because it combines:
- regulatory compliance
- scale across the wine industry
- specialist wine logistics expertise
Today, the service is trusted by more than 1,000 Australian wineries who use Get Freighted to ship wine internationally.
How the Process Works
Instead of shipping individual bottles directly from wineries, shipments are consolidated through our specialist wine logistics network.
Step 1: Purchase wine at the winery
The easiest option is to simply tell the winery: "I'd like to ship this wine to the USA with Get Freighted."
Most Australian wineries are already familiar with the service. If the winery does not yet have a Get Freighted account, they can create one quickly and free of charge to process the shipping booking.
Step 2: Wine is consolidated in Australia
Wines are sent to the Get Freighted consolidation warehouse, where they are:
- quality checked
- securely repacked where required
- prepared for export documentation
Shipments are consolidated monthly, allowing us to create scale and ensure regulatory compliance.
Step 3: Export preparation and compliance
Before export, all necessary US import requirements and compliance procedures are completed. This ensures the shipment meets the required regulations for wine entering the United States.
Step 4: Delivery to your door in the USA
Once the wine clears import procedures, shipments are handed over to trusted domestic delivery partners in the United States, who deliver the wine directly to your door.
This process allows wine to be shipped safely and compliantly across most US states.
Where in the USA Can Wine Be Delivered?
Wine shipments can be delivered to most states across the United States. At present, delivery is not available to:
- Utah
- South Dakota
- Delaware
- Rhode Island
- Oklahoma
(Availability is subject to change as regulations evolve.)
What About Duties, Taxes and Tariffs?
All shipments are fully insured during transport. Shipping charges are payable directly to Get Freighted prior to dispatch.
If applicable, any additional tariffs or import charges will be calculated and advised at the time of dispatch.
Because shipments are consolidated and processed through specialist wine logistics channels, the process is significantly smoother than attempting to ship wine independently.
What If You Already Have Wine in Your Possession?
Sometimes travellers discover the shipping solution after they have already purchased wine. If you already have wine in your possession, for example:
- in your hotel
- at your accommodation
- packed in luggage
- purchased during a winery tour
Get Freighted can often still assist. Simply contact our support team:
- Email: support@getfreighted.com.au
- Phone: 1300 878 078
Our team can guide you through the process and arrange your shipment. Please note that additional administration and processing fees may apply when shipping wine already in your possession.
Why Wineries Recommend Get Freighted
Get Freighted has become the preferred international wine shipping solution for Australian wineries because the service:
- complies with complex USA import requirements
- simplifies the process for cellar door customers
- provides safe, insured wine shipping
- allows wineries to offer international shipping without managing logistics themselves
This is why the platform is now trusted by more than 1,000 wineries across Australia.
Planning to Visit Australian Wine Regions?
If you are planning a wine trip to Australia and want to ship wine home to the USA, the process is easy. Simply let the winery know you would like to ship your wine with Get Freighted, and they can arrange the shipment for you.
Looking to Buy Australian Wine Internationally?
If you love Australian wine but cannot travel to Australia, you can purchase wine directly from Australian wineries through Australia Tasting Room, the global marketplace for Australian wine.
This platform allows international customers to buy wine from Australian wineries with all shipping, duties and taxes included in the price.
Need Help Shipping Wine to the USA?
If you need assistance arranging a shipment, the Get Freighted team is happy to help. Whether you:
- purchased wine while travelling in Australia
- are planning a winery visit
- already have wine and need to ship it home
we can guide you through the process.
- Email: support@getfreighted.com.au
- Phone: 1300 878 078