Are you an e-commerce wine merchant, wine trader, or do you regularly ship premium bottles? Transporting bottles in packages requires special attention: vibrations during handling cause micro-cracks in the glass, drastically increasing the risk of breakage (Express Transport). But the worst-case scenario for a wine merchant is NOT the loss of a single bottle. It's when "a case with a single broken bottle inside causes all the labels to be stained, in addition to the loss of the bottle" (La Passion du Vin), depreciating the entire batch for resale.
This guide gives you 10 PRO steps for packing wine, champagne, beer, and spirits with leak-proof absorbent material + separate padding.
Bonus: Discover how Claisy insures deliveries of wine, champagne, and spirits, and is the only parcel insurance company that covers the total depreciation of a shipment when the labels are stained by a broken bottle.
Critical risks involved in transporting alcohol bottles
Wine and champagne bottles are structurally fragile, heavy, and sensitive to environmental conditions. Transportvin summarizes : "A broken glass bottle becomes a hazardous material and risks injuring operators while also damaging neighboring packages. "
Bottle breakage: vibrations + microcracks = delayed explosion
Repeated vibrations during handling or transport by truck cause microcracks, weakening the glass and increasing the risk of breakage (Express Transport). These micro-damages, invisible to the naked eye, accumulate during automated sorting, multiple load breaks, and rough handling. A bottle may appear intact upon delivery but then shatter 24-48 hours later under simple manual pressure or temperature changes.
Internal pressure of champagne: 6 bars = risk of explosion
Each bottle of champagne contains internal pressure of up to 6 bar (Express Transport), which is three times the pressure of a car tire. This pressure, which is essential for the formation of bubbles, makes bottles of champagne/crémant/sparkling wine extremely sensitive to temperature variations and shocks. A truck exposed to the summer sun for 3 hours (45°C in the cab) can increase this pressure beyond the breaking point, causing spontaneous explosion even without prior impact.
Catastrophic depreciation: 1 broken bottle = entire batch depreciated
Here is the risk that 99% of retailers are unaware of: when a bottle breaks in a box, the wine/champagne splashes ALL the other labels, making them unsellable for resale by wine merchants. A professional wine merchant from La Passion du Vin explains: "The worst thing for him is a case or box with a single broken bottle inside. All the labels can be stained, in addition to the loss of the bottle."
The impact on value is dramatic because buyers on the resale/secondary market often demand perfect labels (iDealwine). A stained, torn, or illegible label leads to a severe drop in valuation, particularly for renowned fine wines (Vendez Vos Vins). A case of 12 bottles of Château Margaux at €150/bottle (total value €1,800) with one broken bottle becomes 11 bottles with stained labels, which are often unsellable in the premium market, resulting in a real loss far greater than the €150 value of the broken bottle.
Heat sensitivity: excessive heat = irreversible degradation of aromas
Excessive heat or significant temperature fluctuations deteriorate subtle aromas and compromise product quality. For champagne, maintaining a stable temperature between 10°C and 15°C is crucial to preserving the integrity of the wine. A non-refrigerated truck in July can reach 40°C inside, irreversibly oxidizing a delicate red wine in a matter of hours.
💡 Key point Claisy: Standard carriers only compensate for broken bottles (CMR 8.33 SDR/kg ≈ $23/kg). A 75cl bottle = 1.5kg with glass and liquid = $34.50 max CMR.
Claisy covers 1.25% of the TOTAL declared value of the lot, including depreciation due to stained labels on other bottles.
PRO packaging material for wine/champagne bottles
Professional bottle packaging is based on the principle of liquid containment: each bottle must be separated from the others (to prevent chain breakage), protected by absorbent padding (to contain leaks), and thermally insulated (to limit temperature shocks).
Sources: Distripackaging – Triple-wall cardboard boxes, Barôchamp – Separate cardboard inserts, GO PAK – 1.70 m drop packaging, La Poste – Bottle padding
💡 PRO tip: Triple-wall cardboard boxes (Viticolis) offer "excellent resistance to shocks, vibrations, and the stresses of shipping." Unlike standard double-wall cardboard boxes, they absorb the impacts of automated sorting without perforation. Barôchamp confirms: "cushioning that separates each bottle to prevent shocks and limit temperature variations."
Claisy's unique selling point: coverage for label depreciation
Here's why Claisy is the ONLY transport insurance tailored to wine merchants and e-commerce wine retailers:
Specific case study: wine merchant: 1 broken bottle = 11 depreciated bottles
An e-commerce wine merchant ships a batch of 12 bottles of Château Margaux 2015 at €150/bottle (total value €1,800) via Chronopost. One bottle breaks during automated sorting: the red wine splashes onto the other 11 bottles, staining all the labels with burgundy marks that are impossible to clean.
Actual loss to the trader:
- 1 broken bottle = €150 direct loss
- 11 bottles with stained labels = unsellable on the premium secondary market (iDealwine confirms that resellers "often demand perfect labels"). Depreciation of 50-75% of value depending on the severity of the stains. In this case: 11 × $150 × 60% depreciation = $990 additional loss.
- Total loss: €1,140 (€150 damage + €990 depreciation)
Carrier Chronopost compensation: 12 bottles = 18kg total. CMR 8.33 SDR/kg × 18kg = 150 SDR ≈ €172 maximum (barely covers the broken bottle, NOTHING for the 11 damaged bottles)
Claisy: Premium = €1,800 × 1.25% = €22.50 - In the event of a transport dispute, Claisy will compensate the FULL declared value of €1,800 if proof of damage to the shipment is provided (before/after photos + report of stained labels). Deadline: 72 hours after filing the claim.
Comparison of bottle transport insurance solutions
Sources: Claisy 2024-2025 claims analysis, La Passion du Vin (wine merchant with stained labels), iDealwine (secondary market buyers with perfect labels), Vendez Vos Vins (lower valuation for damaged labels)
💡 Claisy advantage: Unlike specialized wine/champagne carriers who impose their own protocols (scheduled pickup, refrigerated vehicles, restricted schedules), Claisy lets you freely choose your Carrier Colissimo registered mail, Chronopost, UPS, DHL, Carrier ) while guaranteeing coverage for breakage, labels, theft, and loss up to €100,000. Total e-commerce flexibility.
To Go Further
- Complete guide to packaging parcels (fragile items) – General principles applicable to all sectors
- 2026 e-commerce insurance comparison – Solutions for wine merchants selling online
- Insure high-value parcels >€5,000 – Fine wines, primeur collections, rare spirits
- Jewelry packaging – Similar cushioning principles (high value + fragility)
- E-commerce delivery dispute management – Carrier complaint procedures
- Claisy Ad Valorem Insurance – €100,000 coverage for all carriers
- Claisy Parcel Insurance API Integration – Automation of e-commerce wine merchant insurance