The 3 Biggest Mistakes Spirits Brands Make When Shipping Samples

Shipping spirits samples can seem simple—until something goes wrong. One broken bottle, one rejected shipment, or one small compliance mistake can cost you time, money, and trust.

At 7 Degrees, we help spirits brands ship their samples safely, legally, and on time. After handling thousands of shipments, we’ve seen the same mistakes pop up again and again. Here’s how to avoid them.

1. Using the Wrong Packaging

Shipping alcohol isn’t like shipping T-shirts or coffee mugs. Standard boxes and packing peanuts won’t protect your product. Spirits are packaged in glass, which breaks easily. We’ve seen bottles arrive shattered because they were placed in loose-fill boxes or wrapped in bubble wrap without proper support.

When your sample arrives broken, it’s more than just a loss of product—it’s a missed opportunity. It tells your buyer or distributor that your brand might not be ready for the big leagues.

What to do instead: Use alcohol-specific packaging. At 7 Degrees, we design secure boxes with molded inserts that keep bottles snug and safe. We also offer branded options that look sharp on arrival.

2. Shipping with Non-Compliant Carriers

Not all carriers allow alcohol shipping. Some won’t touch it at all. Others require special licenses or labeling. We’ve seen brands get shipments returned—or worse, confiscated—because they used a carrier that didn’t allow spirits.

Even when a shipment arrives, it might trigger red flags if it wasn’t handled properly. That can put your business at legal risk.

What to do instead: Work with a licensed alcohol shipping partner. We know which carriers allow spirits, and we make sure all shipments follow federal and state rules. From pickup to delivery, compliance is built into every step.

3. DIY Fulfillment

Fulfilling shipments in-house might work when you’re just starting. But once you scale, the cracks start to show. Bottles get packed wrong. Labels are missed. Orders are delayed. We’ve had clients come to us after losing accounts due to late or damaged shipments they handled themselves.

It also takes up your time—time you should be spending on growing your brand.

What to do instead: Let a trusted fulfillment partner handle it. At 7 Degrees, we take care of the full process: inventory, packing, compliance, and shipping. You get full visibility without the stress.

Final Thoughts

Sample shipments are often the first impression a distributor, buyer, or partner gets of your brand. Don’t let a cracked bottle or a missed rule ruin that moment.

Avoid the three biggest mistakes—poor packaging, non-compliant carriers, and DIY fulfillment—and your samples will arrive safe, legal, and ready to impress.

Want to ship your spirits the right way?

Let 7 Degrees handle the hard part so you can focus on what matters—your brand. Contact us today to get started or learn more about our spirits sample fulfillment services.