Although many other elements have their say, entrepreneurs rely mostly on quality as an essential to their businesses. After all, consumers wouldn’t expect anything less than reliable services from any business they’re supporting.
In this light, as essential as customer service and marketing are, having high-quality products is still the main thing every entrepreneur must prioritize.
That goes from manufacturing to distribution. Handling products with the utmost care is a no-brainer regardless of what they may be. No matter how durable they are, they are still susceptible to damage, especially during deliveries.
Given their sensitivity, liquid products require a lot of care during transit. Using beer as an example, business owners investing in professional brewing equipment to enhance the quality of their brews put their effort in vain if they aren’t handled well.
Here are some practices you can apply to ensure your beer products are shipped safely.
Have The Right Papers
Shipping out beer involves many technicalities that might land a business owner in a legal battle if disregarded.
After all, alcoholic beverages undergo multiple chemical reactions during manufacturing. Since they’re in an enclosed space and might be shipped with other products, they must be handled with the utmost care. Otherwise, they could ruin the rest of the products being transported.
Gather the necessary documents to ship beer legally. Considering how shipping companies abide by state laws, you should also secure the appropriate licenses, including one for shipping alcohol. With these documents in hand, they’ll be more inclined to make a contract with your business while promising quality delivery services. Only this way can you ensure they make a great investment.
Aside from backing yourself up with the right documents, be mindful of labelling the package. Because beer is a perishable and commercially limited product, shipping companies must be informed to handle it properly. Directional stickers should indicate which sides are supposed to be pointing up. To make it easier to understand, include a simple image of a beer bottle or can.
Know The Regulations
Since you’re shipping beer, you should do your best to keep clients’ stocks full. After all, the more clients you reach, the better chances your business will grow.
Unlike in the United States, transporting beer from one place to another might be trickier in certain countries, such as Canada.
In the US, all you have to do is find the right shipping service (such as UPS and FedEx), follow their regulations, and you’ve secured a delivery contract.
Meanwhile, Canada has far stricter regulations, though they have loosened considerably over time. In fact, its government used to prohibit beer shipping even locally.
Nowadays, regulatory boards have allowed Canadian brewers to ship their beverages internationally. But not before undergoing investigation by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
As for those planning to export beer into Canada, you can reach out to your preferred shipping service in North America. United Parcel Service (UPS) has an official agreement with the US on deliveries. In contrast, it can only ship to select Canadian provinces, namely Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, and Manitoba.
Although they make up most of the country, smaller provinces such as Saskatchewan or New Brunswick have special requirements that may hinder a smoother delivery. Consider planning out your routes and the location of your clients to know where and when to register.
Use Effective Packaging
Even if you get a good shipping deal with a specific provider, they’re still obligated to assess whether or not your package can handle transportation.
The packaging material will bear most of their scrutiny. After all, it’s crucial for the security and integrity of all kinds of packages.
Corrugated cardboard boxes are an excellent base for packaging beer. Choose brands that are sturdy enough to withstand stress during long hauls. Then, use filler and bubble wrap to keep the products from moving around inside the boxes.
For those using beer bottles, seal bottle caps off with packing tape and a layer of bubble wrap.
Avoid wrapping individual beer cans with bubble wrap since clients might end up slicing them open. Instead, use zip-lock bags to prevent potential leakage.
Ready To Ship Your Brew?
Delivering any kind of beverage has always been challenging for most companies, especially ones with international clients. In this case, beer shipping has tons of requirements you need to comply with for safety and legal reasons. Fortunately, knowing the best practices of shipping beer should keep you on the safe side when it comes to their craft and bottom line.
