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i've found out that my favorite beer dosnt get imported into the u.s. short of making another trip to germany, what are my options? i have someone in germany who can buy the beer and ship it to me, but was wondering about the legality of this.
anybody have any insight on extra taxes, duties, or whatnot that would be involved in this endeavor(if it is legal)? i also have no idea how much shipping would be....
the beer is distelhauser from tauberbischaufsheim, germany btw.
My limited understanind of the way importing alcohol into the US works leads me to believe that there is virtually no way you could do it legally. A US importer would have to get the product stateside for you, then sell it to a distributor who would then sell it to a retailer who would in turn sell it to you. Folks have this problem when they buy whole casks of scotch. They think that it'd be easy to buy a cask, and it is but then you have to deal with the chain of command so to speak and everyone is going to want a mark-up for their trouble. So long story short. Have your buddy ship it to you and call it novelty or collectable glass on the customs form instead of beer. Hope that helps. Someone may have a better way though.
I would recommend contacting the Brewery directly, try sending them an email. I ran into the same problem when I wanted beer that was brewed in a small German brewery that (I thought) didn't import to the U.S. I sent them an email and they said they didn't have a U.S. distributor yet but about 6 months later they emailed me to let me know they have a distributor in Texas somewhere.
Try making your own beer.
I thought there were limits on how much alcohol you can bring into the US but apparently not. This is about returning to the US but the rules for importing are probably the same:
While federal regulations do not specify a limit on the amount of alcohol you may bring back
for personal use, unusual quantities are liable to raise suspicions that you are importing the alcohol for other purposes, such as for resale. Customs officers are authorized by Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) make on-the-spot determinations that an importation is for commercial purposes, and may require you to obtain a permit to import the alcohol before leasing to you. If you intend to bring back a substantial quantity of alcohol for your personal use you should contact the Customs port you will be re-entering the country through, and make prior arrangements for entering the alcohol into the U.S.
Having said that, you should be aware that State laws may limit the amount of alcohol you can bring in without a license. If you arrive in a state that has limitations on the amount of alcohol you may bring in without a license, that state law will be enforced by Customs, even though it may be more restrictive then Federal regulations. We recommend that you check with the state government before you go abroad about their limitations on quantities allowed for personal importation and additional state taxes that might apply.
I've ordered liquor off of websites in Britain before without a problem. Got fucked on the exchange rate and had to sign off on the package when it was delivered but other than that, it was pretty easy.
know exactly how you feel - I'm partial to Lohrer 1878, and was able to get hooked on it back when I was regularly flying between Germany and the US. Flew in on USAF planes, and once brought back 4 cases in one shot - certainly pushing the definition of 'personal use'.
If you know anyone in the private yachting industry, there's always that.
I spent some time as crew on a private yacht, we brought in and out tons of things from the caribbean. Booze, electronics, (obviously all personal favors, but nonetheless)
Anyway my point is, private yachts make trips from the U.S. to the Mediterrean (sp) for summers. Its a popular destination for rich folks with big boats. Anyway, from the grapevine around boat yards, crews bring eachother goods to and from Europe via the ships. Not sell it off quantities but plenty of personal stash quantities.
Obviously you'd have to get the booze from Germany to a port, and know somebody, but I'm trying to think out loud here.
Every time I go to Europe I "bring" Absinthe home. I get a box, and put a couple bottles in wrapped in a light sleeping bag that I bring with me. When you go to the post office to send it home label the box that you are sending your own things back.
Every time I go I send 3 big bottles of the good stuff home. I have, so far, never paid a tariff, received broken bottles, lost a shipment or had my things searched or confiscated. The last time I did it was 2003 so it was after 9/11.
okbye
isn't absinthe legal now though?