Shipping from North America
Brand owners in Canada and the US have two options when it comes to sending entries to the World Alcohol-Free Awards.
- You can send samples directly – in which case you are responsible for the correct paperwork, and will need to pay any export duties that might accrue. You can find information about that here.
- You can take advantage of our consolidated shipping service, offered in partnership with Hellmann Worldwide Logistics.
What is consolidated shipping?
Rather than posting your samples directly to the competition in the UK, you deliver them to a depot in the US, in San Francisco.
Their expert team will check your paperwork and arrange onward shipping and customs clearance. Import taxes/duty are covered in the cost.
The whole process is smoother and more sustainable. In most cases, it is also cheaper.
Shipping from Canada
If you are a Canadian producer, it is possible to take advantage of our Consolidated Shipping option. However, customs requirements mean that your samples will need to be sent to the US shipping depot on your behalf by an agent or importer based in the US. They should follow the instructions regarding labelling and completion of the Commercial Invoice as outlined below.
How do I use the consolidated shipping option?
- First of all, you need to have completed entry - and paid for - your products into the competition.
- Once this has been done, if Consolidated Shipping is available for your geographical location, you will then be able to click on a link on your Dashboard to use the service.
- The cost for Consolidated Shipping is US$110 per ENTERED PRODUCT. So, if you are entering two separate drinks into the competition, for example, the shipping fee will be $220. This includes transport from the US to the UK and all import taxes*.
- Securely package your samples. You can find full information about how many samples you need to send for each entered product below.
- You need to fill in a Commercial Invoice for your product(s). Instructions on how to do so are in the section below.
- You should fill in TWO copies. Tape one to the OUTSIDE of the case, and leave one INSIDE the box.
You can download a copy of the Commercial Invoice below.
Guidance for filling in the Commercial Invoice
All pink areas on the Invoice must be completed unless indicated below.
Exporter: This will be the same as the Company name.
VAT/EORI Number: If you don’t have a VAT or EORI number, simply write n/a.
Date of Export: leave this box blank
Country of Export: Record this as US
Country of Production: Where your product is made/bottled.
Value per bottle: Please ensure that the VALUE of the drinks is US$1.00 per bottle/can. Multiply this by the quantity of bottles for the final Total Value.
Where do I send my samples for consolidated delivery and by when?
Samples need to be delivered to the depot of our San-Francisco-based logistics partner by February 5th.
Address details for delivery of samples can be found in the Delivery Information Hub on your Entry Dashboard. This information will only appear once you have purchased the Consolidated Delivery service.
Amount of Samples to Send
We will require the following amounts per entry for judging:
Drinks requiring dilution
- 50/75cl bottles - two bottles
- 50cl cans/bottles - three cans/bottles
- 30cl cans/bottles and below - six cans/bottles
Drinks served neat/undiluted
- 50/75cl bottles - four bottles
- 50cl cans - six cans/bottles
- 35cl cans and below - eight cans / bottles
- Small bottles (eg bitters) served by the drop - three bottles
Deadline
You must ensure that your drinks arrive at our consolidation depot by the deadline.
For WAFA 2025, this is February 5th 2025.
Please allow plenty of time for delivery. If your drinks arrive late our shipping partners will not be able to include them and you will not be eligible for a refund.
*The World Alcohol Free Awards does not profit from this service. Consolidated shipping is offered purely as a service to help you with your entry.
Key Dates