Shipping Sample Cans to Us

When shipping samples to us, please kindly observe these instructions:

All samples should be sent to us at the following address:

The ICWA, c/o The Independent English Wine Awards Limited, Mr AJ Taylor, 2 Laurie Lee Court, Barr’s Court, Bristol, BS30 7BG.

If you are shipping samples from outside the UK, we recommend using an international courier such as UPS, DHL Express or FedEx. We do not recommend using a postal service such as Parcelforce, because this is likely to cause delays or result in non-delivery, due to difficulties with customs clearance.

To get through the customs clearance process, you will need to include with your parcel a commercial invoice noting each entry, and a blank template of this is available for download here. For customs purposes, please ensure that each sample is noted as having a value of 1 EUR / 1 USD per bottle, or 0 EUR if sending from France.

Please ensure that the commercial invoice is attached to the outside of the parcel and that you provide a copy directly to the courier. Each entry must be listed as: ‘Samples for Tasting – No Commercial Value’.

Please note that as the sender, you are responsible for paying the UK customs and duties. The ICWA will not normally accept samples with duty and VAT owing.

Please ensure that the samples are marked as ‘DDP’ – Delivered Duty Paid, both on Cover Invoice, and Airway Bill.

If you are asked for an EORI code, ICWA as receiver is: GB092156315000.

If you have any further questions about shipping your sample cans, please get in touch via email at shipping@icwa.uk.

Shipping FAQs

When shipping samples to us, please kindly observe these instructions:

Why do we need to submit a commercial invoice?

In order for your parcel to be cleared through UK customs, HMRC require you to include this – this is not a requirement of the ICWA. So that they can calculate the exact duties and taxes and clear the bottles through customs, HMRC need the following details:

  • alcohol type

  • ABV

  • bottle size; and

  • cost of each item.

We are unsure how to complete the documentation provided by the courier, are you able to assist us?

Different countries and couriers have different export requirements and related paperwork. As such, it is best if you contact the courier in your country directly to get up to date information on how to complete the form(s). We are not best placed to advise you about this.

Do you know why our parcel has been held in customs or held by the courier?

There can be a number of reasons why shipments get held. These reasons include, but may not be limited to, the following:

  • Unpaid duty or taxes

  • The commercial invoice has not been completed properly or fully or has not been submitted at all – the courier will not be able to complete the customs declaration if they do not have the following information: Alcohol type; ABV; Bottle size; and Cost of each item.

  • Information provided on the documentation does not match the contents of the parcel (e.g., quantity of bottles or type of alcohol).

Is there a particular courier you would recommend that we use?

If you are shipping samples from outside the UK, we recommend using an international courier such as UPS, DHL Express or FedEx. We do not recommend using a postal service such as Parcelforce, because this is likely to cause delays or result in non-delivery, due to difficulties with customs clearance.

Would it be possible for the ICWA to pay the duties and taxes and charge them back to us?

Regrettably, this is not something we can offer at the moment.

We cannot see the option for DDP (Delivered Duty Paid – sender pays duty and VAT) on the courier’s website?

To send your parcel with the duty paid, you need to have an account with the courier so they can bill the duties back to you. The option to do a one-off shipment may not appear on their website for this reason.

If you do not want to set up an account, we recommend that you contact the courier to see if there is a workaround option. The courier will be able to advise you on how to send the parcel as a DDP and they will also likely be able to talk to you about any other export requirements (if applicable) for your country.

What if we do not want to set up an account with the courier? Could we just settle the duties and taxes up front?


To our knowledge, most couriers and countries do not allow this. This is because on arrival at UK customs, the duties and taxes are calculated and paid by the courier to HMRC. The courier will then charge those back to you.

Couriers will not know the exact amount owed for the duty/tax until it is calculated once the shipment arrives in the UK. This is because customs have to check the paperwork for clearance. As such, upfront payments aren’t allowed as these would be reliant on estimates, which cannot be exact.

Where do can samples need to be sent?

The ICWA, c/o The Independent English Wine Awards Limited, Mr AJ Taylor, 2 Laurie Lee Court, Barr’s Court, Bristol, BS30 7BG.