1. Labeling and Documents

Clearly, label each box of wine using the Submission Label/s. Official (Sommeliers Choice Awards) SCA Submission Label/s are on the 'My Submission Label' section of 'My account'. You can download and print your Submission Label/s. Please note that your reference number is on the Submission Label/s and it is very important for SCA team to see your Submission Label/s on your box and one copy inside your box. Failure to include these labels may result in your samples not being accepted at the SCA warehouse.

Sommeliers Choice Awards is not responsible for tracking the shipping of your wines, please ensure everything is in order before sending your wines. Sommeliers Choice Awards takes no responsibility in delays caused by FedEx, USPS, UPS and other carriers and customs. It is advisable to ship all the samples in advance to avoid delays.

2. Shipping Address and Number of Bottles Per Entry

The Shipping (Competition) Label will be activated once the payment is received. If payment is done through bank wire/ offline, entries will marked as paid and you can download/ print the label online under My Submission Label. [Once Paid, Login to your Account > My Submission Label > Download/ Print]

Please send your documents for Importing, if availed services, to the SCA team before March 31, 2025 (International entries) and 2 bottles per submission to be shipped to the warehouse address that is on the label by April 25, 2025.

*Official SCA Submission Label/s MUST BE USED and can be found on the 'My Submission Label' section of 'My account'. You can download and print your Submission Label/s. Please note that your reference number is on the Submission Label/s and it is very important for SCA team to see your Submission Label/s on your box and one copy inside your box. Clearly, label each box of wine using the Submission Label/s. Official SCA Submission Label/s MUST be used to send samples.

All samples without the official Submission Label/s which you can access in your account will not be tasted.

Goods receiving time: Monday – Friday 9.00 am – 5.00 pm.

*Wines that arrive after the deadline date will not be accepted and refunds will not be issued.

3. Instructions If Shipping From Outside The U.S.

It is best to use your own importer or agent to clear your shipment through U.S. Customs. All beverages shipped from outside the U.S. require import documents that must be obtained from your own importer or through import partners that provide TTB / Cola service.

If you do not currently work with a US Importer, please reach out to Sabrina Carmel sabrina@sommelierschoiceawards.com and we can help you prepare the COLA waiver and FDA Permit approval PRIOR to your shipment with the help of our partner importer. DO NOT SHIP OUT TO THE U.S. BEFORE OBTAINING YOUR COLA WAIVER AND FDA APPROVAL. Please note that TTB / Cola waiver charges you can directly pay the service provider that quotes you.

If shipped without COLA or Importer and samples get stuck in customs, the shipper will be responsible and has to manage the missing documents, duties and so. If you need assistance from our partner importer, additional charges and processing time may be applied. During this, if the samples return, the shipper has to manage the samples again. But no cancellations or refunds will be initiated in certain scenarios, however, if re-shipped and delivered on time will be considered.

The above fee is for import services only. The sender is responsible for shipping costs and any duties, taxes, customs charges, or other fees accessed by your carrier or third parties with whom you contract. Do not ship until the necessary COLA waivers have been obtained from TTB.

4. Import License, Declaration & Duty

All duty, shipping costs, and taxes must be prepaid by the submitter of the samples. Wines must be Delivered Duty Paid (DDP), therefore instruction to complete the import declaration should be given to your forwarder/courier company, please choose ‘shipper accept all charges on the documentation provided by your courier company. Submitters should also be responsible for any fees related to the import declaration. Wines cannot be accepted by our logistic partner if the charges associated with shipping have not been paid. Any penalty and additional cost incurred from the non-compliance of declaration requirement in the USA will be borne by the Submitters.

International participant - Please ensure you have an importer or a valid TTB COLA for your registered wines. If you need assistance please contact sabrina@sommelierschoiceawards.com

5. Do I Need To Insure My Wine?

SCA and its logistic partner will not take responsibility for wine damaged or lost whilst in transit. In the event that for reasons beyond the reasonable control of SCA, it is necessary or advisable for the SCA to be canceled, SCA cannot accept any liability whatsoever for any direct or indirect loss of profit, damage, or expense of any kind incurred as the result of such cancellation.

Sommeliers Choice Awards is not responsible for tracking the shipping of your wines, please ensure everything is in order before sending your wines. Sommeliers Choice Awards takes no responsibility in delays caused by FedEx, USPS, UPS and other carriers and customs. It is advisable to ship all the samples in advance to avoid delays.

6. What if I miss the Shipping Deadlines?

Your registration will not be considered for judging and no scores will reflect in your account. No Refund will be initiated in any circumstance of missing the shipping deadline. Delays caused by couriers and customs will not be accounted for, so please ship in advance.

In case of any queries, please contact: sabrina@sommelierschoiceawards.com || +1 855 481 1112