The Auswine Forum

I'm permanently relocating from Australia to the US in 2 or 3 years time. Something that is starting to bother me is my wine cellar - I've got about 10 dozen wines that I'm cellaring, and I'm wondering how much it's going to cost to have safely shipped to the US when the time comes. There's a fair bit of sentimental value associated with the collection, and there's a number of wines that just aren't ready yet, so simply drinking it all before I move and replacing it is not an option.

Does anyone on the forum have any experience with companies that offer this type of moving service, and any ideas of what charges I'm liable for from a customs perspective in the US? It's likely we're moving to California. Obviously a lot of Aust wine is exported to the US commercially, but how does an individual go about moving their collection?

I didn't tell you this but.......make friends with a wine importer in your home state and see if he/she will bring in your wines as samples. A big favour I know but it has been known to work.

Cheers..........Mahmoud

Be very careful! I have a mate who moved from Europe to the US. He got clearance to import his collection of malt whisky and US Customs still poured it all down the drain. 30+ bottles. He was not a happy bear!

Cheers

Dave

Dave Dewhurst wrote:Be very careful! I have a mate who moved from Europe to the US. He got clearance to import his collection of malt whisky and US Customs still poured it all down the drain. 30+ bottles. He was not a happy bear!

Cheers

Dave

I wonder which drain that was

I bring 1 to 2 dozen bottles back with me to NY each time I raid my Aussie cellar. Just box them in styrofoam and check them in at the airport. Perhaps that's an alternative.

Getting private wine shipments into the US is very tough ( I had a mate try and he had huge drama) - try calling a company in Adelaide called Schenker (don't have a number sorry)- I've heard they can get wine through customs and delivered to your door (at a price!) but I believe you can't send more than 100 litres without setting off the alarm bells.
Reading another threads on this forum, perhaps theres a US importer who has room in his warehouse after shedding a few labels that could help you (just joking!)

I've moved back and forth (permanently!) between Oz and the US a couple of times now and each time I've ended up just drinking the cellar as well as passing a few bottles onto relatives and friends. But now I've learnt my lessons and have cellar space in both countries; that is assuming that the relatives don't confuse my wine with theirs.

I don't know what the ins and outs are for getting 10 doz into the US. I'm sure it can be done but I imagine there will be considerable red tape not to mention cost. If I was you I'd seriously evaluate the "permanently relocating" aspect as life is never so clear cut, and leave your wine in Oz and bring a doz or two back each time you visit. We have had no problems bringing a doz or so wines back to the US or even taking that much to Oz.

Mike