What should you consider when transporting wine?
Wine transport requires more attention than a standard pallet shipment. Temperature, excise documentation and the risk of cargo theft all play a role in ensuring that wine arrives correctly and without loss of quality. When transporting wine from France, Italy, Spain or Portugal to the Benelux, these points should be coordinated before departure.
Temperature is often the biggest risk
Wine quality can suffer from heat. Prolonged exposure to temperatures above approximately 25°C can negatively affect the quality of wine. At higher temperatures, its flavour, colour and aroma may change more quickly.
Temperature is therefore an important consideration in wine transport. Especially during summer, a standard trailer can become too warm. A truck may be stationary for several hours or a trailer may be exposed to direct sunlight for an extended period.
For wine transport during summer, a refrigerated trailer can be used to avoid high temperatures during transit. The temperature is set according to the customer's requirements. There is no single standard temperature suitable for every wine. The customer knows their wine best and therefore determines the required transport temperature.
During winter, temperature-controlled wine transport is usually less critical. Nevertheless, temperature requirements should always be communicated before transport.
Make sure the excise documents are correct
Wine is subject to excise duty. When transporting wine between EU countries, it must be clear under which excise arrangement the wine is being moved. Within Europe, EMCS, the Excise Movement and Control System, is used for this purpose. This electronic system registers and monitors the movement of excise goods such as alcohol within the European Union.
When wine is transported under excise duty suspension, an electronic administrative document, known as an e-AD, is used. In practice, this is sometimes forgotten or only discussed at a late stage. The excise status and accompanying documents should therefore be checked before the wine transport departs.
A truck carrying wine is not administratively the same as a truck carrying standard palletised goods.
Cargo theft during wine transport
Wine and other beverages are attractive goods for cargo thieves. European cargo theft reports show that food and beverages are regularly targeted product categories.
Where a driver stops also plays a role. Parking areas and rest stops remain important risk locations for cargo theft. For wine transport across Europe, we therefore advise our carriers to stop only at secure parking facilities. We are particularly cautious in busy regions and around major cities.
A truckload of wine should not simply be parked overnight anywhere along the motorway.
Wine transport within Europe
Most wine transports organised by PLS take place by road. These shipments consist of palletised bottles of wine collected from a vineyard, winery or warehouse.
Most shipments are full truckloads. Transporting wine as a part load is also possible.
We organise wine transport to and from countries including:
- France
- Italy
- Spain
- Portugal
- Germany
- Belgium
- The Netherlands
- Luxembourg
In practice, wine is often transported from Southern Europe to Belgium, the Netherlands or Luxembourg. Export in the opposite direction is also possible.
From the vineyard to the delivery point
International wine transport often involves several parties. The customer, shipper, loading location at the vineyard or warehouse, carrier and final delivery location all need to be coordinated.
Without central communication, misunderstandings can quickly arise. A loading time changes, temperature requirements have not been communicated or there is uncertainty about the documentation. PLS coordinates communication between the parties involved and follows the wine transport from the loading point to the delivery location. The customer does not need to chase the loader, carrier and consignee themselves.
Our experience in wine transport helps us identify the right questions before departure and recognise where problems may arise during transport.
Importing wine from outside Europe
Not all wine sold in Europe comes from France, Italy or Spain. Wine from South Africa, Australia, Chile and the United States is also imported into Europe.
For wine imports from outside Europe, the main transport leg usually takes place by sea freight. The logistics chain is longer, which means temperature, container selection and planning require additional attention.
When importing wine from outside the European Union, customs formalities and excise duties also need to be considered. After arrival at the port, the wine must be transported onwards to a warehouse or final destination.
PLS can coordinate the sea freight and further logistics handling of international wine imports. From Antwerp, we organise the further handling and transport to the final destination in Europe.