Sampling the wine in a foreign country can be an enjoyable cultural benefit of traveling abroad, for wine enthusiasts. However, due to strict regulations regarding the transportation of alcohol across borders, bringing a new discovery home to one’s own wine cellar can be frustrating and costly. While a bottle or two may be possible in checked luggage, without incurring fines from customs officials, bringing home an entire case of wine is an entirely different matter.

The first solution that may come to mind is shipping the wine home oneself. Doing so, however, is more easily thought of than accomplished. Regardless of the shipping restrictions in the country one is visiting, it is unlawful for individuals to ship alcohol in the United States. A traveler’s attempt to ship wine back to his or her home address is likely to end in the wine being confiscated by the postal service, and possibly will result in heavy fines.

These frustrations can be avoided, however, if the wine is shipped directly from a wine retailer. Rather than purchasing wine, and shipping it as an individual, find out if the vineyard or winery itself can accommodate international shipping. Even if they cannot, they can probably direct you to a retail location which carries their wines and can ship internationally.