One of the most logistically difficult items to send via courier is liquid. For years the burning question was how to get it from A to B without spilling a drop! Now we have sophisticated methods and plenty of experience under our belts which makes the transportation of liquid – no matter what it may be – much simpler and safer. At Speed Couriers we transport and receive liquids from all over the UK and abroad on a regular basis. These liquids come in many different forms and are sent for a variety of reasons. So if you are planning to send a liquid substance with us, here’s what you need to know:

What types of liquids do we transport and why?

Alcohol and perfumes

Liquids come in all forms and some of the more common items sent are alcohol (crates of wine, spirits or beers) and perfumes. Usually alcohol products are sent as gifts or from wine merchants and breweries to businesses and shops to sell on – but alcohol can of course also come in its purest form, Ethanol, for use in chemical and industrial manufacture. These items need to be packed correctly ensuring the bottles are suitably protected against breakages. Perfumes and aftershaves are also usually sent for business and retail purposes, and again these need to be packaged and protected against breakages as mostly they are contained within glass bottles and other breakable types of packaging.

Medicines and other medical supplies

Medicines (non-controlled) and other medical supplies containing liquids can be sent between hospitals and other medical establishments. They carry a few more restrictions and understandably need to be checked with the correct documentation in place before transportation.

Other more hazardous liquids such as blood, biohazards and medical waste cannot always be transported via a domestic courier service and these need checking out beforehand. An experienced specialist courier service (such as our medical branch) should be able to handle these substances without issue.

Batteries and gases

The same detailed precautions are also required for the transportation of certain batteries and gases – especially if they contain flammable liquids. More often than not these need to be transported in smaller quantities in specialist containers and are subject to more stringent checks to ensure their safety in transit.

What should I do when sending liquids?

Are there any special measures you should take? This all depends on the nature of what is being sent – the type of liquid and the packaging it is in. Of course check whether your liquid has precautions placed upon it before sending, and notify the courier of what’s inside your package if it is classed as dangerous or needs to be handled with extra care. Ensure that where possible liquids are packaged in secure, tightly-wrapped plastic bottles, and if glass is a necessity, use bubble-wrap and other protection packaging methods to guarantee its safety during transportation.

For more information, help or support with any of the above please visit our Services page.