The non-alcoholic beer market has grown rapidly as breweries and beverage companies develop more options for consumers who want the taste of beer without alcohol. With that growth comes a growing logistics question: How do you safely ship non-alcoholic beer?
In this guide, we'll explain how to package non-alcoholic beer for shipping, how non-alcoholic beer differs legally from traditional beer, and how protective corrugated packaging can help keep cans secure during transportation.
What Is Non-Alcoholic Beer?
The term "non-alcoholic beer" can sometimes be confusing because a product marketed as non-alcoholic does not necessarily contain zero alcohol.
According to the U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), a malt beverage may use the term "non-alcoholic" only when it contains less than 0.5% alcohol by volume (ABV). The label must also state that the product contains less than 0.5% alcohol by volume.
By comparison, TTB states that the term "alcohol free" may only be used for malt beverages containing no alcohol.
This means that a can labeled "non-alcoholic beer" can contain a small amount of alcohol, while an alcohol-free product contains no alcohol.
Is Non-Alcoholic Beer Legal to Ship?
This is one of the most common questions beverage companies have. The answer depends partly on the product's actual alcohol content.
The U.S. Postal Service specifically identifies intoxicating liquors containing 0.5% alcohol or more as nonmailable. USPS Publication 52 states that alcohol at 0.5% ABV or greater is prohibited from being mailed.
That creates an important distinction for non-alcoholic beer:
A beverage containing less than 0.5% ABV is treated differently under federal mailing rules than beer containing 0.5% ABV or more.
However, businesses should not assume that every carrier will automatically accept every non-alcoholic beer shipment. Carrier policies, state laws, product classification, and the specific shipping arrangement can still apply.
For example, UPS treats beer shipments as a contractual service and requires approved beer shippers to meet licensing, agreement, packaging, and destination requirements.
For alcoholic beer, the requirements are considerably more involved. UPS requires approved beer shippers to have the appropriate licenses and agreements, while shipments must follow applicable origin and destination laws.
You can review the current TTB beer and malt beverage definitions and TTB alcohol-content labeling requirements for more information.
How Is Shipping Non-Alcoholic Beer Different From Shipping Alcoholic Beer?
For beverage companies, one of the biggest advantages of non-alcoholic beer is that products below the 0.5% ABV threshold may not be subject to the same federal alcohol-shipping restrictions as traditional beer.
Alcoholic beer, on the other hand, is highly regulated.
For example, the Federal Alcohol Administration Act and TTB regulations govern various aspects of alcoholic beverage production and labeling. State laws can also impose additional requirements.
Carriers also have their own rules. UPS currently requires approved beer shippers to enter into an agreement and comply with applicable licensing and destination requirements.
FedEx similarly states that alcoholic beverages can only be shipped through its alcohol shipping program by eligible licensed businesses, with additional requirements depending on the shipment.
The key takeaway: Don't assume that a product's marketing label alone determines its shipping requirements. Check the actual ABV, applicable laws, and the carrier's current policies.
How to Package Non-Alcoholic Beer for Shipping
Even when a beverage isn't subject to the same alcohol regulations as traditional beer, it still has to survive the shipping process.
Cans can be exposed to:
- Drops and impacts
- Compression from other packages
- Movement inside the shipping box
- Conveyor handling
- Vibration during transportation
- Pressure from poorly secured products
- Damage to cans or packaging
That makes the right packaging especially important for breweries and beverage brands shipping directly to consumers, retailers, distributors, and other businesses.
1. Keep the Cans From Moving
One of the most important goals when shipping canned beverages is limiting movement inside the box.
If cans are allowed to move freely, they can collide with one another and with the walls of the shipping container. A properly designed corrugated insert or tray helps keep the cans positioned throughout transportation.
2. Use Strong Corrugated Packaging
The outer box needs to withstand the demands of the shipping environment.
For heavier beverage shipments, stronger corrugated construction can provide additional protection against compression and impacts.
For example, Whale Pod Shipper's packaging solutions are designed specifically around the challenges of shipping canned beverages.
3. Protect the Ends of the Cans
Can ends can be particularly vulnerable during transportation. A packaging system that keeps cans securely positioned and away from direct contact with the outer box can help reduce the risk of damage.
4. Choose Packaging Designed for the Pack Size
A six-pack, twelve-pack, and larger case require different packaging considerations.
Instead of filling extra space with loose material, beverage companies can use packaging specifically designed around the number and shape of cans being shipped.
This can help create a more consistent packing process while reducing unnecessary movement inside the box.
For breweries shipping larger quantities of non-alcoholic beer, the 24 Pack Econo-Pod provides a convenient way to protect up to 24 cans during transportation.
For smaller direct-to-consumer orders, the 12 Pack Econo-Pod offers a compact shipping solution for 12 oz and 16 oz beverage cans.
Shipping Non-Alcoholic Beer to Consumers
Direct-to-consumer shipping has become an increasingly important sales channel for beverage brands.
Before shipping a non-alcoholic beer product directly to a customer, businesses should verify:
- The product's actual ABV.
- Whether the product is legally classified as alcoholic or non-alcoholic for the intended shipment.
- Federal requirements.
- State and local requirements.
- The destination state's rules.
- The carrier's current policies.
- Any labeling requirements.
- Packaging requirements.
State laws can vary, so a product that can be shipped under one set of circumstances may have different requirements in another state.
TTB specifically advises businesses shipping alcoholic beverages across state lines to consider the laws of both the origin and destination states.
Ship Non-Alcoholic Beer With Confidence
The growth of non-alcoholic beer creates new opportunities for breweries and beverage companies, but successful distribution still depends on reliable logistics.
Understanding the difference between 0% ABV, non-alcoholic beer under 0.5% ABV, and alcoholic beer at 0.5% ABV or higher is an important first step.
From there, beverage companies should verify applicable federal and state requirements, check their carrier's current policies, and select packaging designed specifically for canned beverages.
At Whale Pod Shipper, we focus on helping beverage companies protect their products during transportation with purpose-built corrugated packaging solutions.
Looking for a better way to ship canned beverages? Explore Whale Pod Shipper's packaging solutions and find a format designed around your product.