I was turned down at the local UPS store to ship my entries…now I am checking for other shippers that will accept the entries for shipment. Aaarrgghh!
Try Fed Ex, how do you have the box labeled and what did you tell them? I simply box everything up, print my shipping label online via my account and drop it off. No questions asked. If they ask why the box is marked fragile I tell them it’s a piece of art and it’s double boxed with packing material, never an issue though as I’ve only been asked once.
It is being sent to Apex Brew Wares in Independence MO.
Pretty tough to avoid the question - I said it is analytical samples - she then asked if it contained alcohol. I not going to lie…
Definitely print your label at home and just drop it off, no questions asked. It is also slightly cheaper.
I’ve long ago given up with marking fragile, this end up, etc. Do you think anyone actually looks at the box? If anything you are putting a big target on it to be tossed from 8 feet.
My second spot was not UPS and has a special shipping arrangement for Beer and wine through a wine shipping company online (not available directly). Pretty sure that they will treat it right! And now I know where to go.
“gifts” is my standard answer, but I haven’t been asked this is years, because I have a FedEx account, print my own label, and drop it off with a wave. No talking.
friends who have worked with both major shipping companies have told me they considered “fragile” and “handle with care” to be a challenge, thus unless the box I’m using already had this marked on it, I don’t bother.
Can’t remember who to credit for this one, but my favorite and most truthful response is “yeast samples”.
This is what is said at the FedEx website:
“Overview. Only properly licensed wholesalers, licensed dealers, licensed distributors, licensed manufacturers, licensed retailers or licensed importers may ship wine via FedEx® services. Consumers may not ship wine or alcohol of any type via FedEx services.”
Except there have been many reports that they’re on to that. I say “gifts”.
Yeah it’s tough when you’re shipping to a beer supply store to say you’re sending flowers or something. I’m sending mine to Northern Brewer… I did last year too. I just told them that I was returning a beaker. I’m planning on that again Monday when I ship thus years.
Good to know.
Fortunately, this year two of our LHBS are transporting entries to the Seattle site. Awesome service.
Yeah, mine are going to austin Homebrew. I plan on addressing it to austin hbs and telling them it is a return.
I ship via FedEx through my work. We get a really great price and FedEx just shows up and takes the packages. I have been to the store before and when they ask if it is liquids or anything I just say no. The person at the store doesn’t really care. I package it well enough that I haven’t had issues with broken glass.
The July/August issue of Zymurgy had a real good letter entitled “Homebrew Shipping Woes”. This is one the the issues that AHA is working on. Does anyone know how much progress has been made?
BTW, I usually say I am returning plant items or I am shipping root beer. But, I like the Fedex suggestion and will pass that along to our club. I am sick and tired of lying about it.
I too use a FedEx account and preprint the label. But if I were asked, I’d say “glassware.”
Yeah, but I don’t like to lie about it. It is ridiculous that you have to make up things to send homebrews to a competition!
It’s not made up—it is glassware. I didn’t say what it was filled with. 
Except that you are expressly violating the company’s policy against shipping alcohol. That bugs me. There should be a better way…
I agree, but how do you force a private company to do something they don’t want to?
I shipped my glass yesterday. Next year I think I’ll just make a road trip and deliver it myself. Though delivering round two in person may not be practical, probably not needed either though… 
I’m sure the reason for the policies is all of the laws that surround alcohol. This state can’t get this, that state won’t allow that. Yada Yada Yada. When Ups or fedex do knowingly ship alcohol, such as a wine club, they do require an adult over 21 signature and cannot leave the package.
It’s just easier to not do it.