Shipping samples

You have three shipping options

1. Hellmann Worldwide Logistics

Use the dropdown menu to find your local participating depot. More info below

2. UK distributor

If you have a UK distributor, you can send us your samples from there

3. Independent

You are welcome to make your own shipping arrangements. Please note you will be responsible for all costs, taxes and duties

Do you need help with duty/tax shipping payment queries?

For all samples being sent to the IWSC, duty and VAT must be paid by the sender, we will not accept any duty charges.

If have any queries regarding payment of duty and/or taxes, you'll find answers to our most frequently asked questions below.

Taxes/Duty FAQS

How many samples do I need to send?

We need four samples of wine and sake entries. If you are also entering the Design Awards, we require one additional bottle, with finished label and packaging, as these are judged separately to the taste awards.

We ask for four bottles so that if a wine is faulty or damaged we can serve a fresh sample to avoid any of your wines getting an unfair score. In addition, if your wine wins a gold medal it will be put forward for our trophy judging, where we will use a bottle in these judging sessions. Spare bottles are used for promotional activities throughout the year.

We ask all our entrants to send samples in environmentally friendly packaging and avoid using cellophane and polystyrene.

Delivery address - all wine and sake entrants to be judged in the UK

IWSC c/o Sensible Wine Services
Unit 10 Dana Trading Estate
Transfesa Road
Paddock Wood
Kent
TN12 6UT
UK

For judging ‘In Situ’ delivery details (including Georgia), view delivery details here

Important notice for direct and consolidated shipping: Non-UK producers are required to include a commercial invoice on the outside of the case that includes the information below.

Click here to download our invoice template

  • Supplier EORI number (your EORI number) and Receiver EORI number (our EORI Number - GB853914212000)
  • Number of bottles
  • Type of wine
  • Bottle size
  • ABV%
  • Value: shown as EUR 1.00 or USD 1.00 per bottle (this is for customs purposes only)
  • Reason for export: samples for tasting
All duty and VAT must be paid by the sender and IWSC will not accept any duty charges.

All samples must be delivered duty paid (DDP). If you are shipping your samples directly, please tick 'Shipper accepts all charges' and ensure your courier account number is on the documentation provided by your courier.

Please note: if you are shipping your samples from France with Hellmann, all wine should be Duty Paid in France and delivered to Hellmann as Duty Paid and displaying a 'Marianne' sticker. The attached invoice should show the value of the wine as €0.00, and the submitter will receive no certificate of shipment to confirm export. 

Instructions for direct shipping

About the consolidated shipping offer

For easier shipping, entrants can select our group shipping offer. Our group shipping partner manage the export and customs process for you, all you need to do is select ‘Group Shipping’, if available, and simply ship your samples to your country’s Hellmann depot. Hellmann will then deliver the bottles directly to us, and complete the customs clearance process, saving entrants both time and money. The group shipping price covers all duty.

£55 per entry

Make sure you have checked our entry and shipping deadlines beforehand and you must contact Hellmann Beverage Logistics prior to sending your samples. Please include your company name clearly on the box.

If you have any questions about the group shipping offer, please get in touch by emailing info@iwsc.net.

Please note: if you are shipping your samples from Italy with Hellmann, please follow the instructions here.

View spirits shipping details