How much wine can be transported in a car?

During the summer holidays, many wine lovers take the opportunity to visit vineyards and stock up their cellars. Sometimes, on a whim, some decide to buy several cases. For reasons of economy or convenience, many handle the transport themselves. Most of the time, the bottles end up in the trunk of the car or on the back seats. However, be aware that this method must comply with the regulations regarding the transport of alcohol. Indeed, you could be stopped by the police on the roads. It is therefore important to know your rights and obligations. Is it permissible to travel with a trunk full of wine bottles? To fill and diversify their cellars, wine enthusiasts are willing to travel the roads in search of the best grape varieties in the country, or even the world. Some take advantage of the holiday periods to stock up. They hop into their vehicles to explore the neighboring vineyards and cellars. It’s rare that they return empty-handed during their travels. Furthermore, transporting a wine gift set or a case of champagne is common practice for those invited to dinner or wishing to give a magnificent gift. In France, it’s perfectly possible to transport bottles of wine or other alcoholic beverages in your car without any problems, provided you take the necessary precautions. First, you must prove the origin of the goods. Whether they come from French regions or EU countries, the bottles must be labeled and sealed. This is to trace the wine’s origin. If the bottles are not labeled, you must request an invoice and a certificate. proving that they actually belonged to the winemaker. The owner of the vehicle or goods must also prove that the bottles will be used for personal and non-commercial purposes. Customs authorities will assess this criterion based on how the goods are packaged, but especially on the quantity transported. What about the maximum quantity? During an inspection, customs officers will presume that the bottles will not be intended for commercial use up to a certain quantity.

A private individual is permitted to transport a total of 90 liters of wine, including a maximum of 60 liters of sparkling wine.

Beyond this limit, customs authorities may request supporting documents proving that the purchase was indeed for personal use. If you are unable to provide sufficient evidence, you may be charged with purchasing for illegal resale and possessing an abnormal quantity of alcoholic beverages for personal consumption. Customs will then give you a choice: either you pay duties and taxes, or you can choose to abandon your bottles at customs.

Aside from that, the key thing to remember when transporting wine is that it’s best to position the bottles upright and ensure that the vehicle’s temperature isn’t too high.