Shipping your samples

The IWC strongly recommends using the Hellmann Consolidated shipping service, but private shipping is still an option.

Consolidated Shipping Deadline (Hellmann): 3rd March 2023
Shipping Deadline: 17th March 2023

Number of samples required

We require 4 bottles per wine entry. Wines will be tasted up to three times and on different days. An extra bottle is necessary to allow for an out of condition sample. If IWC Discovery Tasting is selected for a wine entry, please send 6 bottles.

IWC entrants have three shipping options:

1- Consolidated shipping – Hellmann Worldwide Logistics.

2- UK Distributor – If you have a UK distributor you can arrange to send your samples from there.

3- Private shipping arrangements (eg DHL, UPS, FEDEX). Please note, you will be responsible for all arrangements and transportation costs. The samples must be sent Duty Paid e.g. paying customs’ costs, taxes and duties associated with sending your samples.

Sending your samples – IWC Delivery Labels

1- Use the IWC delivery label and airway bill emailed when you submit your wine entry. Each IWC delivery label has a unique entrant barcode which will allow the IWC to inform you when your wines have been processed.

2- If you are using a private courier please stick your official IWC labels on the side of your boxes. This is to prevent courier companies sticking labels over IWC address labels.

3- If you are using a private courier please mark "Shipper accepts charges" on your couriers' shipping forms to ensure that all costs get charged to you. If the above is not completed, then the samples will be stopped in Customs and may not arrive in time for the competition.

Hellmann Consolidated Shipping

Important notice: From 1 January 2021, producers will be required to include an invoice on the outside of the case that includes the following information:

Number of bottles
Type of wine
Bottle size
ABV%
Value, shown as USD 1.00 per bottle (this is for customs purposes only)

To avoid delay in shipment, it is essential that suppliers provide the above information at the time of delivery to Hellmann

1 - Many entrants will be able to save money by using our consolidated shipping offer, which you can select during the entry process. The cost is £58 per entry and covers: all charges associated with duty, storage, carriage, UK clearance and taxes on samples supplied. For this you must use an approved Hellmann Worldwide Logistics shipping agent from the list below and use the Hellmann IWC delivery label on your boxes.

2 - You must contact your local Hellmann Beverage Logistics agent prior to sending them your samples before the Hellmann shipping deadline.

3- It is the responsibility of the entrant to pay all delivery charges up to the point where their local Hellmann Worldwide Logistics approved shipping agent receives the samples.

4 - European depots can only accept shipments from the same country

5 - Submitters using a Hellmann Worldwide Logistics agent for shipping their samples will have to attach 5 copies of the airway bill which will be sent to them by email after submission of their entry.

6 - Late arrivals will not be accepted and neither credits nor refunds will be issued if the forms or wines fail to arrive on time.

7 - UK Duty. All wines entering the UK are liable for duty. Current duty rates for still wines are £2.23 per bottle (75cl), sparkling wine £2.86, fortified wines £2.98 plus VAT. The fee for the IWC Global Shipping Service includes these charges.

Payment of Duty

The commissioners of HMR&C require evidence of payment of duties and VAT as enshrined in The Alcoholic Liquor Duties Act 1979 and enforced by The Customs & Excise Management ACT 1979. Procedures to achieve this are stipulated in the Customs Tariff and Public Notice covering alcoholic products. It is an offence to avoid payment of these taxes on samples. Further guidance may be obtained from HMR&C National Advice Service – telephone +44 (0)845 0109 000.

Shipping your samples from France with Hellmann 

All wine to be duty paid in France and tendered to Hellmann consolidation centres as Duty Paid. The bottles need to have a “ Marianne“ sticker

Please do not open an AED/ADD

The entrant will receive no certificates of shipment to confirm export

The entrant must provide an invoice showing the value of the wine as €1.00

The invoice should be inscribed in both English and French as follows: “We declare that duties and taxes have been paid on the mentioned wines in France. The wines are entered into the globally renowned International Wine Challenge in the United Kingdom to promote French Wine on a global platform. We confirm the wines are for commercial tasting and  have no commercial value. Nous déclarons que les droits et taxes sur les vins mentionnés ont été payés en France. Les vins participent à l'International Wine Challenge un concours de renommée mondiale, située au Royaume-Uni, dont le but est de promouvoir le vin français sur une plateforme mondiale. Nous confirmons que les vins sont destinés à la dégustation commerciale et n'ont aucune valeur commerciale.“

Approved Hellmann Worldwide Logistics Shipping Agents