We can help you export mezcal from Oaxaca, Mexico!
For those clients interested in pursuing an export business model, that is shipping mezcal to their home countries and perhaps further abroad, it’s usually prudent to begin one’s due diligence by investigating the rules and regulations in the receiving country, province and/or state.
Importing alcohol can be a tricky proposition depending upon to where it is being shipped: laboratory testing; labeling requirements; customs, tax and duty considerations; name and logo registration; and so on. It takes perseverance, and a solid marketing plan. Unfortunately, more often than not a client begins by visiting Oaxaca, sampling, considering a range of producers, and then returning home only to have the wind knocked out of his or her sails by realizing the complexity of the matter. This is not meant to dissuade, but rather to caution in advance.
Importing alcohol can be a tricky proposition depending upon to where it is being shipped: laboratory testing; labeling requirements; customs, tax and duty considerations; name and logo registration; and so on. It takes perseverance, and a solid marketing plan. Unfortunately, more often than not a client begins by visiting Oaxaca, sampling, considering a range of producers, and then returning home only to have the wind knocked out of his or her sails by realizing the complexity of the matter. This is not meant to dissuade, but rather to caution in advance.
Our job is to provide prospective exporters with options regarding both product range and distilleries which are serious about working with foreign interests, or in some cases increasing their fold of existing associates. Our clients rely on us to introduce them to palenqueros who we are confident will be able to meet the demand for raw material in an era of agave scarcity and at times lofty prices. Through our introductions and counsel, we have facilitated the export of mezcal under several brand names, into Germany, South Africa, the UK and the United States, with project currently pending for Canada, Panama, Luxembourg, Australia and elsewhere in Europe and Central/South America.
Our Producers
We traditionally work with five classes of producers:
1) Those with established export businesses;
2) Those who have recently become CRM certified and now aspire to export;
3) Those who are in the process of becoming certified;
4) Those content with exporting agave distillates which are not certified;
5) Those who either have aspirations of beginning the certification process, or have not considered the possibility but have the capacity to comply with initial and ongoing regulatory requirements and are interested in growing their businesses in this fashion.
Regarding (4) above, sometimes our palenquero colleagues have either never accumulated enough financial resources to become certified as "mezcal" producers, or, while being bright, personable and motivated, are simply not very good record keepers; and certified mezcal producers must keep detailed records. We believe that in both cases, producers who distill quality spirits should not be left out in the cold and should be able to ride the current wave, the mezcal boom. And so we enjoy working with prospective exporters who like us, for a variety of reasons want to help these hardworking palenqueros and their family members. As recently as this year (2025) we have succeeded in facilitating the export of quality agave distillates!
We traditionally work with five classes of producers:
1) Those with established export businesses;
2) Those who have recently become CRM certified and now aspire to export;
3) Those who are in the process of becoming certified;
4) Those content with exporting agave distillates which are not certified;
5) Those who either have aspirations of beginning the certification process, or have not considered the possibility but have the capacity to comply with initial and ongoing regulatory requirements and are interested in growing their businesses in this fashion.
Regarding (4) above, sometimes our palenquero colleagues have either never accumulated enough financial resources to become certified as "mezcal" producers, or, while being bright, personable and motivated, are simply not very good record keepers; and certified mezcal producers must keep detailed records. We believe that in both cases, producers who distill quality spirits should not be left out in the cold and should be able to ride the current wave, the mezcal boom. And so we enjoy working with prospective exporters who like us, for a variety of reasons want to help these hardworking palenqueros and their family members. As recently as this year (2025) we have succeeded in facilitating the export of quality agave distillates!
The Process
A series of emails and skype calls between us and a prospective client is suggested before an initial or return visit to Oaxaca, to ensure that both sides have the same understanding regarding what we can do to assist. Bottles, stoppers, labels, export and other legal requirements and shipping are readily handled by us here in Oaxaca, in tandem with the client and our team of professionals expert in their particular fields.
However, our clients must understand that we will not work with just anyone. Our preference is to help out clients whose business plan is consistent with our attitude towards exposing the world to agave distillates, while at the same time ensuring that our distiller friends are given a fair shake. If your idea is to buy mezcal for as cheap as possible in order to maximize the profits realized from your mezcal business, perhaps what we offer is not for you. Our preference is always ensuring fairness for the palenqueros and their families. This typically means not negotiating price down to the lowest, and/or actually partnering with the palenqueros. Quite often there is an inequality of bargaining power which we usually seek to balance.
A series of emails and skype calls between us and a prospective client is suggested before an initial or return visit to Oaxaca, to ensure that both sides have the same understanding regarding what we can do to assist. Bottles, stoppers, labels, export and other legal requirements and shipping are readily handled by us here in Oaxaca, in tandem with the client and our team of professionals expert in their particular fields.
However, our clients must understand that we will not work with just anyone. Our preference is to help out clients whose business plan is consistent with our attitude towards exposing the world to agave distillates, while at the same time ensuring that our distiller friends are given a fair shake. If your idea is to buy mezcal for as cheap as possible in order to maximize the profits realized from your mezcal business, perhaps what we offer is not for you. Our preference is always ensuring fairness for the palenqueros and their families. This typically means not negotiating price down to the lowest, and/or actually partnering with the palenqueros. Quite often there is an inequality of bargaining power which we usually seek to balance.
For more information about exporting mezcal, contact Alvin at mezcaleducationaltours-at-hotmail.com
and, read this: https://www.oaxacamezcaltours.com/mezcalarticles/category/exporting-mezcal-importing
and, read this: https://www.oaxacamezcaltours.com/mezcalarticles/category/exporting-mezcal-importing
