Shipping Policy
Delivery Coverage and Eligibility
We currently ship within South Africa only. Orders for delivery outside the Republic of South Africa cannot be accepted at this time. We do not deliver to P.O. Boxes or unattended addresses, as a physical address and recipient signature are required.
Alcohol products are not for sale to persons under the age of 18. By using our site and placing an order, you confirm that you are 18 years or older and legally permitted to purchase alcohol. We reserve the right to request proof of age (e.g., ID document) at any stage, including upon delivery, and to cancel orders or refuse delivery if valid age verification is not provided. The recipient of the delivery must also be 18 or older; our courier will not hand over alcohol to minors.
If no eligible adult is available to receive the package, it will not be left at the address. The courier will attempt re-delivery or hold the package for collection at the depot.
Courier Service and Delivery Timeframes
We have partnered with The Courier Guy for reliable shipping of all orders. Deliveries are made during business hours (approximately 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday). Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate weekend or public holiday deliveries.
Once your order is dispatched, typical delivery times are as follows:
- Major City Centers: Approximately 1–3 business days for delivery (often next-day delivery to main centers, depending on service).
- Outlying/Rural Areas: Approximately 3–5 business days for delivery, depending on distance and route.
Please note that these timeframes are estimates and not guaranteed. Actual delivery duration may vary based on courier logistics, traffic, weather, or other unforeseen delays. We will provide an estimated delivery date, but high-volume seasons or other circumstances might extend delivery times. If there are significant delays, we will communicate updates as soon as possible.
Shipping Rates and Calculation
Shipping costs are calculated automatically at checkout and will be shown before you finalize your order. The delivery fee is based on the weight and dimensions (volumetric weight) of your parcel, as well as the delivery destination. We use real-time Courier Guy rates integrated into our system to provide fair and accurate shipping costs.
For transparency, a standard case of wine (for example, 6 x 750ml wine bottles) has an approximate weight of about 7.5–9 kg including packaging. Our packaging for six bottles typically measures around a standard case size, and shipping charges are largely determined by this size and weight.
All shipping fees will be clearly displayed and added to your order total at checkout (unless a free shipping promotion applies). At this time, we do not offer free shipping by default; every order will include a delivery charge calculated as described.
Note: Ensure that the correct shipping address is provided at checkout. If an incorrect or incomplete address is given, it may delay delivery and could incur additional redirect fees. The shipping fee covers door-to-door delivery to the address provided (subject to the receiver being available as noted above). Any special delivery instructions should be noted when placing the order.
Order Processing and Tracking
Please allow up to 1–2 business days for order processing before dispatch. Once your order is placed and payment is confirmed, our team will carefully prepare your items (including picking the wines and securely packaging them for transit). We aim to hand over parcels to The Courier Guy as quickly as possible, typically within 48 hours of order confirmation (often sooner). You will receive a notification as soon as your parcel ships.
Once dispatched, you will be provided with tracking information. An email and/or SMS will be sent to you with the tracking number and a link to track the delivery status online. This allows you to monitor your shipment’s progress in real time.
Our courier will typically contact the recipient by SMS or call on the day of delivery to confirm someone is available at the address. Please ensure that you or an authorized adult recipient is available on the expected delivery day.
Delivery Attempts and Signature Requirements
All deliveries require a signature from an adult recipient (18 years or older) upon delivery – no packages will be left unattended. This is both for security and due to legal requirements regarding alcohol delivery. The Courier Guy drivers are instructed to obtain a signature and may request to see a valid ID to verify age when delivering alcohol, in line with our policy and legal obligations.
If no eligible person is present at the designated address during the delivery attempt, the courier will generally retain the package and attempt delivery again, or the package may be sent to the nearest Courier Guy depot. In such cases, the driver usually leaves a notice or makes contact to arrange a re-delivery at a suitable time. Alternatively, you may be able to coordinate a pickup from the courier’s depot if that is more convenient.
For security, the courier will not hand over the parcel to anyone at the address who is underage or unable to show proof of age if requested. We appreciate your understanding as these measures are in place to ensure compliance with South African liquor laws and to ensure your order reaches you safely.
Packaging and Handling
We take great care to package your wine orders securely. Wine bottles are fragile, so each order is packed in sturdy, protective materials designed to prevent breakage or damage in transit. We also clearly mark packages containing alcohol as “Fragile” and “Liquor – Adult Signature Required” where applicable, so that handlers are aware of the contents and legal requirements.
Despite all precautions, occasionally damage can occur during transit. Upon delivery, please inspect your package before signing the waybill or delivery note. If you notice any signs of leakage, broken bottles, or damage to the packaging, please do not accept the delivery in that condition. Notify the courier driver immediately of the issue. If breakage is visible, ask the driver to take the parcel back and note the issue on the delivery record.
In such cases, please also contact us as soon as possible to inform us of the situation. We will work with you to resolve the issue, which may include sending a replacement shipment or providing a refund for the damaged items, in line with our Returns/Refunds Policy.
If any item is missing from your order or incorrect upon delivery, make a note of it with the courier (on the delivery note) and let us know right away. We will investigate and rectify any shortages or mistakes as a priority.
Shipping Terms and Liability
Once your order has been handed over to our courier partner, you will own the products, but they are in transit at our risk until delivered to you. In other words, risk and ownership pass to you upon delivery to your specified address (when you or your authorized recipient sign for the goods). Until that point, we remain responsible for ensuring your order reaches you.
We guarantee that we will supply all goods to the courier in good condition and properly packed. However, after delivery is completed, Whiskey Creek Wines cannot be held liable for loss, theft, or damage to products that occurs at your premises or after the delivery has been completed.
While we use reputable services and do everything in our power to ensure a smooth delivery, unforeseen delays can occur. By placing an order, you acknowledge that delivery is also subject to The Courier Guy’s standard terms and conditions of carriage. Whiskey Creek Wines is not liable for delays or failures in delivery once the package is in the custody of the courier and beyond our control.
In the event that a parcel is returned to us by the courier (for example, due to repeated failed delivery attempts or an incorrect address), we will contact you to arrange a second delivery. Please note, a re-delivery fee may apply in such cases if the error was not on our side.
Legal Compliance and Age Verification
As a licensed alcohol seller, Whiskey Creek Wines complies with all applicable South African laws and regulations regarding the sale and distribution of liquor. This includes adherence to the Liquor Act and provincial regulations for off-premises sales, as well as responsible practices for online alcohol commerce.
We strictly enforce an “18+ only” policy for all purchases. At checkout, you may be required to confirm that you are of legal drinking age. Our website may also employ an age verification gate (e.g., requiring you to confirm you are over 18 before entering or purchasing). Furthermore, our delivery process includes age verification – drivers may ask for identification to ensure the recipient is 18 or older.
We also label all shipments containing alcohol clearly, indicating that an adult signature is required and that the package contains alcoholic beverages. This helps ensure that anyone handling or receiving the package is aware of its contents and the need for responsible delivery. It is a criminal offense to supply alcohol to minors, and we take this responsibility seriously – our staff and delivery partners are trained to uphold these laws.
Lastly, by purchasing from Whiskey Creek Wines, you agree to consume our products responsibly and in accordance with South African laws. We encourage responsible enjoyment of our wines and support efforts to reduce alcohol abuse and underage drinking.
