Shipping Alcohol Based Aftershaves out of the US

As those of us who reside outside of the United States are well aware, some troublesome regulations prevent US based artisans and vendors from shipping alcohol based aftershaves to destinations outside of the US.  This is sometimes resolved by having the products sold by non-US vendors like Italian Barber and some others.

I had a thought (sorry it happens some times) and this would apply mostly to the artisans who make their own aftershaves like Barrister_N_Mann and hawns (Chatillon Lux) - (yes Will and Shawn I'm talking to you).  The thought is this - I'm not sure of the aftershave production process, specifically at what point in the process the alcohol is added, but is it possible to mix all of the ingredients except the alcohol and then ship out the alcohol free aftershave to any destination on earth with sufficient head room in the bottle and instructions on the quantity and type of alcohol to be added by the purchaser at their destination?

Now this might be a non-starter depending on what the artisan starts with as their base ingredient and what they add but if its a "from scratch" concotion it shouldn't be a problem.  Assuming again that there isn't some sort of voo-doo that goes on at a molecular level that requires the alcohol to be added at some earlier stage of the brewing process.  

Is it do-able?

I still haven't come up with a workable plan to get badger bristle brushes shipped out of the US even though the bristles originate outside of the US in the first place.  I was toying with the idea of having the bristles sent from China to the Chinese Embassy in the US and then have the brush makers assemble the brushes at the Embassy and then shipped out from the Embassy to non-US destinations.  This is based on the premise that foreign embassies are actually considered to be foreign territory so technically the badger bristles would never have been imported into the US and therefore the US wouldn't restrict the bristles being exported from (technically) China.  

This is what law school and 25 years of practice does to the mind - we really do see the world differently.
Marko

And I'm not even a lawyer. But I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express Great minds and all of course!

And I'm not even a lawyer. But I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express Great minds and all of course!

I love those places

I think it's a good idea in theory, but I worry about how slippery the slope can get. I'm not good at saying no to people or turning down requests, so the worry is that what other requests could end up following (separate all ingredients so someone could mix his own ratios, requesting just the scent, etc.). And then I'm going to have to overcome my natural passivity and assert myself. And I hate doing that.

Additionally, someone on Reddit asked me about doing this. I brought it up to my business partner and he was violently against it. So the whole concept is a non-starter, but since he doesn't visit shaving forums or check our email or follow any groups on facebook, send me all vitriolic comments to forward on to him (I kid, I kid!).

I think it's a good idea in theory, but I worry about how slippery the slope can get. I'm not good at saying no to people or turning down requests, so the worry is that what other requests could end up following (separate all ingredients so someone could mix his own ratios, requesting just the scent, etc.). And then I'm going to have to overcome my natural passivity and assert myself. And I hate doing that.

Additionally, someone on Reddit asked me about doing this. I brought it up to my business partner and he was violently against it. So the whole concept is a non-starter, but since he doesn't visit shaving forums or check our email or follow any groups on facebook, send me all vitriolic comments to forward on to him (I kid, I kid!).

In the case of our formula, no, it would not work. The ingredients have to be combined in a fairly specific order or the fragrance separates and floats on top. It would also impact the character and longevity of the fragrance, since we macerate our aftershave fragrances for several weeks before turning them into finished aftershave. Otherwise, it will smell rough and won't last nearly as long as the finished compound product.

Also, why would you want to do this? You'd still be paying the tremendous shipping cost to get it through customs.

I like the way you think! But it seems like it would be easier to just pay an American to privately ship it to you.

Marko I applaud you for trying to sort this problem that has haunted me in my sleep for many nights

I do like your idea but I understand this is a lot of work for very little gain.

I would point out that hawns does a Post Shave Toner which you can ship to other countries.

If you really want a certain product the the best thing to do is sweet talk someone from the US to send it to you at your own risk.

I am lucky enough to have a friend who is willing to do this but as of yet I haven't taken him up on the offer but I will at somepoint.

Good luck with your theory!

Alright, Barrister_N_Mann and hawns , I get it - I did wonder whether it was even possible and it did occur to me that it could lead to a degradation of your brand and the good will associated with it but I thought it was worth a shot.

Now lets move on to the badger bristle brush and the Chinese Embassy concept. Which brush makers would be willing to work out of the Chinese Embassy in Washington, DC?

Marko I applaud you for trying to sort this problem that has haunted me in my sleep for many nights

I do like your idea but I understand this is a lot of work for very little gain.

I would point out that hawns does a Post Shave Toner which you can ship to other countries.

If you really want a certain product the the best thing to do is sweet talk someone from the US to send it to you at your own risk.

I am lucky enough to have a friend who is willing to do this but as of yet I haven't taken him up on the offer but I will at somepoint.

Good luck with your theory!

WindsorCitrus , I have all of hawns 's toners and salves as well. Have you tried the salves? Very nice.

I also have a California connection - my wife's aunt lives in the Bay Area and I have transhipped through her on occasion. My mother in law visits frequently but they both act like I'm asking them to be drug mules - for crying out loud its aftershave ladies! and maybe the hair of the odd animal or two.
Mark

Michelle from Mystic Water brought up an interesting point in the previously linked thread about the preservative nature of alcohol as well.

Rather than the embassy, become a staffer, get status and ship via diplomatic pouch. Easy as pie