Shipping policy

Title and ownership

Title to, ownership and risk of loss of all wines and spirits shall pass from Berry Bros. & Rudd USA LLC (“BB&R”) to the customer in the District of Columbia upon full payment of the purchase price. For destinations other than Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Florida, New Hampshire, or Oregon, transportation services are coordinated at your direction through St James Cellars, and you are responsible for ensuring that the transportation, receipt, possession, and importation of the alcohol comply with all applicable laws. BB&R makes no representation as to the legal rights of anyone to deliver or import any alcoholic beverages or other goods into any state. BB&R will not be liable for any damage caused by force majeure events, deterioration, or from any other cause beyond BB&R's control.

Sales Tax & State Fees

For shipments to Connecticut, Florida, New Hampshire, and Oregon, taxes or fees will be assessed based on the state’s current applicable rate. For wine and spirits pickups and deliveries within the District of Columbia, as well as all other sales (regardless of where the customer subsequently directs shipment), District of Columbia sales tax will be assessed.

Sales tax will not be applied only where BB&R has been provided, in advance of the release of the property, with a valid exemption certificate recognized by the District of Columbia.

Legal age requirement

Please see our terms and conditions regarding eligibility, available here.

Collection & Shipping

Orders placed before 12pm EST are typically processed the same business day, while those received after 12pm will be processed the following business day.

Acknowledgement of an order by BB&R does not constitute a guarantee that shipment can be completed. If shipment by BB&R is prohibited by law or otherwise not permitted, the customer will be notified and the order will be adjusted or canceled accordingly.

Pickup

Customers may collect wines from our retail store located at 888 17th Street NW. Please select "Pick Up at Berry Bros. & Rudd" at checkout.

Orders placed before 12pm will generally be available for same-day pickup after 1pm, Tuesday through Friday. Orders placed after 12pm are generally available for pickup after 1pm on the following business day, Tuesday through Friday. Orders placed after 12pm on Friday will generally be available for pickup after 1pm the following Tuesday.

You will receive an email when your order is ready for collection. All orders must be collected within seven business days of placement. Orders not collected within this timeframe will be returned to the warehouse and subject to a $25 handling fee.

Shipping

Local delivery

BB&R offers delivery within the District of Columbia only.

Orders placed before 12pm EST are generally eligible for same-day delivery. Orders placed after 12pm will normally be delivered on the next available delivery day. Deliveries are made Monday through Friday, excluding public holidays.

Delivery fees apply as follows:

Delivery Cost
Washington, DC Same Day if ordered before 12pm, no weekend deliveries available
  • 1 to 5 cases: $25
  • 6 cases or more: $50

All deliveries are subject to DC sales tax (10.25%).

At the time of delivery, the recipient must present a valid government-issued photo identification verifying that they are at least 21 years of age. If delivery cannot be completed, the order will be returned to us, and you will be responsible for the original delivery fee plus a return fee equal to that delivery fee. Should you wish to have the order redelivered, an additional delivery fee will apply.

Once an order is confirmed, a tracking number will be provided. Delivery times are estimates only and may be affected by traffic or other conditions.

Interstate shipping

Connecticut, Florida, New Hampshire & Oregon

BB&R may ship to states that permit direct-to-consumer retailer shipments and where the company holds the required licenses or permits. At present, shipments are available to Connecticut, Florida, New Hampshire, and Oregon and BB&R may expand the number of eligible states in the future. By requesting shipment to an authorized state, the customer appoints BB&R to engage a common carrier to deliver wine on the customer’s behalf. Certain states impose restrictions on the volume of wine that may be shipped, while others prohibit alcohol shipments entirely. If a customer’s state does not allow direct retailer shipments, BB&R will be unable to complete the order. Limitations applicable to shipments into Permit States are set forth below:

  • Connecticut (Permit #: LOR.0000114)
    BB&R has a permit to ship up to five gallons (or about 25 bottles) of wine per person every two months and collects all applicable sales tax. Please note that certain brands may not be eligible for shipment due to supplier or regulatory restrictions.
  • New Hampshire
    BB&R has a permit to ship up to 12 nine-liter cases (144 standard 750 ml bottles or equivalent) of wine and 60 individual bottles of spirits (up to 1 liter each) per client address per year, and we are obliged to collect a fee (at the applicable rate - 8% fee as of November 2025) on all wine and spirit purchases shipped into the state of New Hampshire.
  • Oregon
    BB&R has a permit to ship up to 60 bottles of wine per resident per month and collects all applicable sales tax.

Shipping Rates (Permit States)

Delivery Cost
CT, FL, NH, OR UPS/FedEx Next Day, 2day or Ground Shipping available Quoted at check out

When you place an order, the order total reflected at checkout includes costs of wine and spirits, less any discounts and credits (as applicable), before taxes or shipping fees. Shipping rates are calculated at checkout based on the delivery address, shipping method, and the quantity and weight of bottles or cases. An order confirmation will be provided and will include the shipment tracking number. We will provide a delivery estimate for informational purposes only when you enter your shipping address at checkout. Actual delivery times and rates are subject to change.

All orders shipped to Connecticut, Florida, New Hampshire, or Oregon will be repacked into secure shipping containers designed to protect the wine and spirits during transit. Shipping rates include the cost of all packing materials. Please note that orders depart from our cellars Monday through Wednesday to avoid carrier storage over weekends.

All Other States

For orders shipped to destinations other than Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Florida, New Hampshire, and Oregon, transportation services are coordinated by St James Cellars LLC ("SJC"). Available transportation options and charges are presented during checkout based on your delivery address and the services available for your order.

Following completion of the retail sale with BB&R, eligible orders are transferred to SJC for warehousing, fulfillment, and transportation coordination. By selecting shipment, you authorize BB&R to provide SJC with the customer, order, and shipping information reasonably necessary for SJC to perform warehousing, fulfillment, transportation coordination, shipment-related customer service, and other logistics services associated with your order.

At your direction, SJC will coordinate transportation through one or more independent third-party carriers to the delivery address you select. The customer is responsible for ensuring that the transportation, receipt, possession, and importation of the Products comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws at the destination.

Transportation services coordinated by SJC are governed by the applicable St James Cellars Terms & Conditions, which customers are encouraged to review before completing their order.

Payment in Full Prior to Delivery or Shipment

All purchases, including the cost of wines and spirits, shipping fees, taxes, and any other applicable charges, must be paid for in full prior to delivery or transfer to St. James Cellars.

International Orders

We do not currently offer international shipping, but would be delighted to make an introduction to international shippers.

Weather Conditions & Customer Waivers

The shipment of fine and rare wine requires special handling, as exposure to extreme heat or cold may adversely affect product quality.

To help protect your purchase, BB&R and SJC may delay shipment when adverse weather conditions are expected in the District of Columbia, at the destination, or anywhere along the shipping route. Orders may be held in a temperature-controlled warehouse at no additional charge for up to 120 days or, if adverse weather conditions persist beyond that period, until conditions are suitable for shipment.

Ground Shipments

Because ground shipments are subject to longer transit times and greater exposure to changing weather conditions, all shipments sent via ground service require the customer to acknowledge and accept a Weather Waiver before the shipment can be released. By accepting the Weather Waiver, the customer assumes all risk of loss, damage, deterioration, or spoilage resulting from weather conditions encountered during transit. If the customer declines the Weather Waiver, BB&R and/or SJC may continue to hold the shipment until weather conditions permit safe transportation or until alternative shipping arrangements are made.

Air Shipments

Shipments sent via UPS or FedEx Next Day Air or 2Day Air generally do not require a Weather Waiver. However, if BB&R or SJC determines that adverse weather conditions may reasonably place the shipment at risk, the customer will be required to accept a Weather Waiver before the shipment will be released. If the customer declines the Weather Waiver, BB&R and/or SJC may continue to hold the shipment until weather conditions permit safe transportation or until alternative shipping arrangements are made.

BB&R and SJC reserve the right to delay or refuse shipment whenever weather or other transit conditions may reasonably jeopardize the quality or condition of the Products.

Original Wooden Cases (OWC)

Where wines are packaged in original wooden cases and purchased in full case quantities, such packaging will be made available for shipment via UPS or FedEx at the buyer’s expense. The case and the wine will be shipped separately. Shipping costs will vary based on method, weight, and destination. For deliveries by courier service or in-store collection, wines purchased in full case quantities and packaged in original wooden cases will be delivered or collected in their original packaging. Original wooden cases are not automatically included with shipped orders and must be specifically requested at the time of order; otherwise, the wooden case may be recycled.

Non-arrival, loss, breakage & returns

BB&R takes great care in the storage, packing, and shipping of all wines and spirits.

If your order arrives damaged or fails to arrive as expected, please notify us immediately. For orders delivered directly by BB&R to Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Florida, New Hampshire, or Oregon, written notice should be provided within three (3) days of delivery or the anticipated delivery date so that we may investigate and assist in resolving the issue promptly. For shipments coordinated by St James Cellars LLC ("SJC"), please refer to the applicable SJC Terms & Conditions for additional information.

For orders delivered to Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Florida, New Hampshire, or Oregon, BB&R is unable to accept returns or exchanges of alcoholic beverages except in cases where the product is defective in quality, or where an incorrect item was shipped. Orders placed in error, or where you have simply changed your mind, cannot be returned or refunded. Please contact St James Cellars for questions or concerns concerning all other orders.

District of Columbia Delivery Coverage

BB&R provides complimentary coverage for eligible deliveries made directly within the District of Columbia up to $2,500 per shipment. This coverage applies only to BB&R local deliveries and is separate from the optional Property Protection available for eligible third-party carrier shipments.

Property Protection

A Property Protection fee is charged at a rate of 1.5% of the purchase price for all eligible shipments and provides coverage for eligible loss or damage, including breakage or theft, that may occur while your shipment is in the possession of a third-party carrier. Property Protection does not cover damage resulting from exposure to extreme heat or cold during transit.

Customers may decline Property Protection during checkout. By declining coverage, the customer acknowledges that they are responsible for all loss and damage to purchased goods.

If Property Protection has been purchased, claims for loss or damage should be reported immediately after the expected delivery date or upon receipt of the shipment so that BB&R may assist with the claims process.

For shipments where transportation is coordinated by St James Cellars LLC ("SJC"), Property Protection is also subject to the applicable SJC Terms & Conditions.