top of page

Elite Wine and Spirit Merchants Delivery Policy.

​

1. Introduction

At Elite Wine & Spirit Merchants, we are committed to ensuring the safe and compliant delivery of alcohol products to our customers. As an online retailer that utilizes NZ Post's courier services for domestic alcohol deliveries, we uphold a set of stringent guidelines and packaging requirements to ensure alcohol is transported securely and legally.

This policy provides a comprehensive overview of our alcohol delivery practices, including packaging, age verification, and delivery protocols, in line with NZ Post’s terms and New Zealand's regulatory requirements.

​

2. Purpose and Scope

This policy applies to all domestic alcohol deliveries made by Elite Wine & Spirit Merchants using NZ Post’s courier services within New Zealand. All alcohol shipments must meet the necessary packaging standards, labelling requirements, and compliance protocols as stipulated by both NZ Post and New Zealand alcohol legislation.

​

3. Delivery Protocols

Elite Wine & Spirit Merchants is committed to adhering to all applicable laws and regulations regarding the sale and supply of alcohol. In accordance with New Zealand’s Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012, Regulation 14 of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Regulations 2013, and NZ Post’s guidelines, the following delivery protocols apply to the distribution of alcohol to ensure safe and compliant deliveries to customers.

3.1 Signature Required

As a responsible and law-abiding retailer, Elite Wine & Spirit Merchants enforces a signature-required policy for all alcohol deliveries to ensure compliance with New Zealand’s legal requirements.

  • Legal Requirement: All alcohol deliveries must be sent through NZ Post with a signature-required service. This process ensures that only individuals who are of legal drinking age (18 years or older) can receive the alcohol.

  • Recipient’s Responsibility: The recipient must be physically present to sign for the alcohol upon delivery, confirming that they are 18 years of age or older. This procedure is in place to uphold the law and prevent the illegal sale or supply of alcohol to minors.

  • Compliance: Failure to provide a signature will result in the return of the parcel, and the delivery will not be completed. Elite Wine & Spirit Merchants takes all necessary steps to ensure compliance with the law, with no exceptions.

3.2 Delivery Hours

In strict adherence to New Zealand law, Elite Wine & Spirit Merchants abides by the following delivery hours regulations to ensure alcohol is not delivered at inappropriate times:

  • Legal Compliance: Alcohol will not be delivered on certain public holidays, including ANZAC Day before 1 pm, Christmas Day, Easter Sunday, or Good Friday. This is in accordance with New Zealand's public holiday restrictions on alcohol delivery, ensuring that no alcohol is delivered on days where it is prohibited by law.

  • Late Night Deliveries: Deliveries will also not occur between 11:00 pm and 6:00 am on any other day. This policy ensures that alcohol is not delivered at times that could encourage irresponsible consumption or breach local community standards.

3.3 Age Verification

Elite Wine & Spirit Merchants takes full responsibility for ensuring that all alcohol deliveries are made in full compliance with New Zealand’s legal age requirements for alcohol consumption. As part of our commitment to responsible alcohol distribution:

  • Government-Issued Identification: Upon delivery, the recipient must present valid government-issued photo identification (e.g., passport, driver’s license) to confirm that they are 18 years of age or older.

  • Failure to Verify Age: If the recipient fails to provide acceptable proof of age or refuses to cooperate with the verification process, the delivery will be immediately cancelled, and the alcohol will be returned to the supplier’s warehouse. This measure is in place to prevent alcohol being delivered to individuals who do not meet the legal age requirement, as mandated by New Zealand law.

  • Legal and Ethical Responsibility: Elite Wine & Spirit Merchants upholds the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 by taking all necessary precautions to ensure that alcohol is only delivered to individuals who are of legal drinking age, with no exceptions.

3.4 Exemption to Authority to Leave (ATL) Process

In compliance with New Zealand’s alcohol regulations, Elite Wine & Spirit Merchants enforces a zero-tolerance policy with regard to the Authority to Leave (ATL) process for alcohol shipments.

  • Legal Obligation: Alcohol deliveries are exempt from the ATL process. This means that alcohol shipments cannot be left unattended at the recipient’s address without a signature. This policy is designed to prevent situations where alcohol could be left in an unsecured or inappropriate location.

  • Strict Compliance: Alcohol deliveries must always be signed for upon receipt. Elite Wine & Spirit Merchants follows this policy to ensure that the delivery process aligns with legal requirements and to guarantee that alcohol does not end up in the hands of unauthorized individuals.

  • Legal Enforcement: Any violation of this process, including leaving alcohol without obtaining a signature, would be in direct violation of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 and other applicable regulations. Elite Wine & Spirit Merchants strictly adheres to these provisions to ensure that every transaction is fully compliant with the law and that the safety of the community is prioritized.

​

4. Delivery Fees

4.1 Shipping fees vary based on the destination and will be clearly outlined at checkout before order confirmation.

4.2 Free shipping promotions may apply from time to time, subject to specific conditions.

bottom of page