Alcohol sending terms

Summary

These terms and conditions apply to the sending of alcohol via NZ Post’s domestic or international services.

All services provided are subject to our General Terms, and Service Terms for Courier Services.

Alcohol packaging requirements

To help ensure your parcel gets to its destination safely it's important you follow these simple guidelines to protect your item against damage while it is being transported and delivered.

Your responsibility

As the sender, it is your responsibility to ensure your item is packaged correctly and your items must meet minimum packaging requirements to be accepted in our network.

By accepting a parcel NZ Post do not acknowledge the packaging is adequate or the contents are acceptable.

Minimum packaging requirements for sending alcohol

There are minimum packaging requirements in place to ensure the safe delivery of alcohol to your customers, these include:

  • An Age Restricted ticket (CPT18R/CPT18RA)
  • All address labels must be placed on top of the carton
  • All cartons must have a board weight equivalent of B Flute
  • All cartons must include arrow up and fragile stickers/printed labels on all sides of the carton
  • All alcohol shipped must have corrugated dividers in between the bottles (to prevent label and product damage)

Some examples of acceptable dividers include wine bottle trays, corrugated carton partitions, or corrugated carton bottle dividers. Paper dividers will not be accepted.

It is recommended that you wrap bottles individually, surrounded with resilient cushioning material and place in a well-sealed polyethylene bag. Pack in a strong cardboard carton with sufficient absorbent material such as newspaper or wood shavings to soak up any possible spillage.

If you do not meet the minimum requirements:

  1. Items may not be accepted for transit
  2. Compensation will not be paid out
  3. You may be liable to pay for damage to other senders' items or our or others’ equipment if inadequate packaging of your item caused the damage, or if the contents were prohibited under our terms and conditions.

Compensation terms and conditions

The maximum compensation payable for loss or damage is NZ$2,000*. Compensation is based on cost price, and not retail price and is not payable where there is solely label damage to a bottle.

For further information, see Service Terms for Courier Services

*Subject to compliance with these alcohol packaging requirements and any other limitations specified in our General Terms and Service Terms for Courier Services.

New Zealand-specific restrictions and requirements

The following restrictions are in place for the delivery of Alcohol domestically:

  • All alcohol deliveries must be sent by courier on a signature required service and must have a CourierPost CPT18R/CPT18RA ticket applied.
  • Alcohol will not be delivered on ANZAC day before 1pm or on Christmas day, Easter Sunday or Good Friday
  • Alcohol will also not be delivered between the hours of 11pm and 6am on any other day.
  • Merchants are responsible for complying with their Off Licence Conditions pursuant to the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 (including any Regulations) including taking reasonable steps to verify that the prospective buyer and prospective receiver are over the age of 18 years of age.
  • Merchants acknowledge that delivery of alcohol is exempt from the ATL (Authority to Leave) process and must be sent on a signature required service, unless an exemption has been agreed with NZ Post.

International-specific restrictions and requirements

The delivery of Alcohol to international destinations is governed by applicable countries import guidelines and requirements Individual countries may place additional restrictions on the carriage or import of Alcohol. You are responsible for checking whether restrictions apply to your item. Where possible, we have provided information on restrictions for individual countries online, but we cannot guarantee the accuracy of this information.

Other terms and conditions

Additional terms and conditions apply; refer to the Public Contract and sections 1 and 2 of the Postal Users’ Guide.