WINE ELSE / U.S. TRADE RESOURCES / UPDATED OCTOBER 2026
Normalize supplier quotations before comparing prices
Request the quoted currency, vintage, bottle size, bottles per case, case count, palletization, named Incoterm and exact transfer location. A price ‘from France’ has no clear operational meaning until the seller and buyer agree which party is responsible for transport, export clearance, insurance and risk at each stage.
Ask the producer whether its price applies to existing bottled inventory or to planned production, and whether label changes, tests and cartons are included. Compare like-for-like units; a 6-bottle case cannot be compared directly with a 12-bottle case.
A practical landed-cost worksheet
Divide the validated total by saleable bottles to get landed unit economics. A sample calculation should always disclose its assumptions; do not present a hypothetical result as a current freight quote.
Choose shipping terms based on who can execute them
Incoterms allocate responsibilities, costs and delivery-risk points; they do not automatically decide title to the goods or replace insurance contracts. An inexperienced buyer should not select an Incoterm merely because the apparent bottle price is lower. Work with a freight forwarder and customs broker who understand beverage alcohol and can quote the actual lane and shipment profile.
Request offers from at least two logistics scenarios when material: consolidated mixed consignments versus a dedicated shipment. Verify temperature exposure and transit-season risks, especially for sensitive white, rosé and premium wines.
Check tariffs and taxes at the actual shipment date
US customs duties and trade measures can change. Classification, origin, alcohol strength and value affect applicable charges. Check the current Harmonized Tariff Schedule and any relevant additional measures with the customs broker when preparing each order. Federal excise taxation and state-level requirements are separate issues.
Do not reuse a tariff rate found in an old blog article as a guaranteed landed-cost input. Refer to the official US Harmonized Tariff Schedule and the TTB importer resources before signing a purchase order.
Plan the reorder before the launch
Commercial continuity depends on wine allocation, vintage transition policy, lead times, back-label approval and sufficient stock on both sides of the Atlantic. Ask the producer for a rolling forecast process and review it after the first sell-through period. If a future vintage differs substantially, arrange a documented buyer evaluation instead of assuming an approved sample applies forever.
Pair this economics guide with the standard RFQ, the regulatory guide and the main supplier sourcing guide.
Source wines from Occitanie with a clearer brief.
Describe your target US market, styles, volumes and launch window. We can help frame a supplier inquiry. Commercial availability and contract terms always require direct confirmation.
Discuss your sourcing requestFrequently asked questions
What is an ex-cellar wine price?
It is a supplier-side commercial price expression; the actual contract must specify which goods, location and included costs apply.
Does an Incoterm determine US duty liability?
No. Importer-of-record status, customs law and the transaction structure must be analyzed separately.
Can I quote a fixed landed price before booking freight?
Only as an estimate clearly qualified by assumptions, supplier validity, broker quotations and applicable tax or tariff changes.
Additional reading: Trade resource center · Wine sourcing checklist · Official TTB guidance