Will Movers Move Alcohol or a Wine Collection?
Here’s the quick answer: Most of the time, yes, movers will move alcohol, but only if the bottles in question are closed and sealed. You might find movers who make exceptions to this, but open container and flammability laws prevent many cross-country movers from transporting open bottles of alcohol.
Every move comes with its own unique set of challenges and roadblocks. But if you’re someone who enjoys popping open a pinot noir during movie night, you may be wondering whether movers are willing to move alcohol and/or wine collections.
In this article, we’ll answer some common questions about moving alcohol collections so you don’t have to worry about giving up your wine or whiskey collection at the last minute.
Will full-service movers move alcohol collections?
On average, full-service moving companies move alcohol collections big and small when they’re properly packed and they won’t be breaking any state laws while transporting it. They’re well aware that like any collection of high-end belongings, few long-distance movers are willing to give them up. However, there are a couple things to keep in mind:
- Professional movers may be cautious about transporting alcohol due to the high risk of moving flammable materials and the risk of spilling hazardous materials.
When in doubt, get a quote from a professional moving company. The only way to find out exactly what a moving company will or won’t move is to ask them directly, so prepare a list of questions beforehand:
- Do you move alcohol?
- Can you help me pack wine bottles?
- How much does it cost to move alcohol?
- Do you accept my moving insurance?
- How many transportation options are available for moving alcohol?
- Will you wrap and move liquor bottles?
- Will you move the collection alongside my other household items?
How much does it cost to move alcohol?
Unfortunately, because costs vary widely between moving companies and methods, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Your alcohol moving expenses will depend on the amount of alcohol you have, your preferred transportation method, and how much sensitive glass the movers will be handling.
Wine shipping boxes are designed to keep your bottles snug and cost about $12 each. If you’re planning to move wine by air, you’ll be faced with the most expensive option by far. Moving by vehicle or train is slower but more cost-effective.
Remember that each state has unique rules regarding alcohol transportation (with Kansas and Massachusetts having some of the strictest laws). Failing to abide by state laws could see you losing your stock upon arrival at your new home.
We recommend discussing any concerns you have about alcohol transportation with your movers so you can ensure you’re getting the best deal.
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What are the hazards of moving alcohol?
Alcohol is notoriously flammable. Fatal accidents involving large trucks have risen 27% since 2020, so movers are wise to take extra precautions when it comes to transporting volatile materials.
Whether you’re a fan of wine or whiskey, any alcohol bottles you wish to move must be tightly sealed. If you have a habit of leaving wine bottles unfinished but don’t feel like tossing them, we recommend investing in a high-quality wine stopper. Movers take hazard management very seriously and won’t risk taking aboard anything that looks like it could start leaking.
Can you put alcohol in a moving truck?
No matter who’s doing the driving, a specialized climate-controlled moving van/truck is best for transporting alcohol.
There are a lot of things standard moving trucks aren’t able to transport. Due to their constant movement and lack of temperature regulation, large trucks run a higher risk of breaking or leaking cargo.
Ideally, alcohol should be transported in a separate vehicle to meet safety regulations and keep liquor from spoiling. Moving alcohol and other materials in a vehicle that could be exposed to extreme temperatures can lead to fires.
Other things you can’t put in a moving truck include:
- Pets
- Plants
- Sensitive electronics
- Perishable food items
- Loaded guns
- Car batteries
And other hazardous items you might overlook include:
- Bleach
- Nail polish remover
- Pool cleaning chemicals
- Propane tanks
- Motor oil
- Scuba tanks
- Lighter fluid
- Corrosive materials
- Paint thinners
- Pesticides
- Aerosol cans
- Weed killers
Ask your moving company for a complete list of non-movable items, and carefully check your belongings for compliance before moving day. You don’t want to be forced to re-home or toss any belongings at the last minute.
How to pack wine for moving
If you want to take care of moving your alcohol by yourself, remember that wine and most other alcoholic beverages are highly sensitive substances that can change drastically depending on how long and in what way they’re stored. You’ll need to properly pack your wine or liquor to prevent breakage and ensure it doesn’t spoil before you reach your destination.
Wine needs to be kept out of sunlight and in a climate-controlled environment. Excess heat, especially temperatures exceeding 70 degrees, will ruin your wine’s complex medley of flavors and leave it tasting bland or sour.
Wine should be maintained at a moderate temperature of roughly 55 degrees. Make sure to pack wine like you would any other delicate glass container: Use sturdy cardboard boxes tightly fitted with bubble wrap or packing peanuts (obviously, wine-specific packaging is optimal). Remember that even gentle rocking motions could crack the glass and cause a leak.
You can always transport your alcohol in your own vehicle. Just make sure you won’t be breaking any laws when crossing state lines and that all your containers are properly sealed. It may also be in your best interest to move during a cooler season—while June is the most popular month to move, the higher temperatures typical of most places will bake your wine.
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