Comments on: Wine: you CAN take it with you when you go!

By: marybeth j

marybeth j — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 22:38:30 +0000

PS I declared “wine” on my customs slip returning from Italy, and the customs agent asked how many bottles I had. I shyly answered, “I think maybe 5? or maybe 6?” knowing that I was only allowed one bottle duty-free. He said, “No problem. You could bring back a hundred bottles!” and let me pass through without paying any duty. That was at JFK, Dec. 2009.

By: marybeth j

marybeth j — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 22:36:27 +0000

I highly recommend using the VinniBag to package your wine. It is a US-made, recyclable, and high-quality product that is leak-proof (that’s three hyphens in one sentence!). I used it recently on a trip home from Italy, and it worked like a charm. Check out photos on my blog at http://mbitalytour.blogspot.com or visit http://www.vinnibag.com. This is a great product and so easy to use! Styrofoam is not eco-friendly, not recyclable, and not leak-proof!

By: Victor

Victor — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 09:53:35 +0000

Lately I’ve been writting down in a notepad the wines I like when I travel.
Then I buy them on the internet, sometimes at the same price!

By: Irene

Irene — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 11:10:16 +0000

Here is the info on CA, still looking for info on NY state http://www.abc.ca.gov/permits/importing.html

By: Chelsea

Chelsea — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 13:58:47 +0000

Yes, what is this California restriction?

Also, I am 20 just months shy of 21 and want to bring back my Argentine wine. Do you think I can get away with 4 bottles saying they’re gifts?

By: arroyo

arroyo — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 19:11:18 +0000

I am currently in Cordoba, Argentina and am planning on returning to Chicago, IL, USA next Thursday. I have connecting flight from Cordoba, Argentina to Santiago, Chile to Miami, FL USA, to CHicago, IL, USA… and have 15 bottles of Wine… What’s going to happen? Will I be able to make it through customs in the US? Which state will check my baggage- Miami or Chicago?

By: jason

jason — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 14:58:31 +0000

It’s been posted above that New York state does have a restriction on the amount of wine you can bring bak. Anyone know what this amount is?

By: Getting smashed: flying with wine, revisited | Dr Vino's wine blog

Getting smashed: flying with wine, revisited | Dr Vino's wine blog — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 11:41:56 +0000

[...] Bringing wine home from your travels “Puzzle of the day: where can you fly with wine in the USA?” Permalink | [...]

By: Poll: bringing wine home in an age of baggage charges | Dr Vino's wine blog

Poll: bringing wine home in an age of baggage charges | Dr Vino's wine blog — Fri, 23 May 2008 02:13:57 +0000

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By: Glen

Glen — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 15:09:15 +0000

When you fly back into the United States bringing alcohol you have to be sure to fly into states that DO NOT have STATE restrictions on alcohol (California or New York for example DO have STATE restrictions) as states do have restrictions are enforced by US CBP. Once you arrive in a state with no restrictions and pay the US customs duty on the alcohol then you can travel to any state from the state you arrived and you are protected by the US Constitution which prohits any restriction of commerce between states.

My suggestion on packing wine which I have used many times. Put the wine bottles in a wine cardboard or wood case designed for shipping wine (wine sellers will always give you one). Then get a slightly bigger box which has at least 1 inch but not more than 2 inches on each side of space. In Europe and most of the world they use expanded polystyrene (same a foam coffee cups or cheap coolers) in big sheets 1 inch and thicker as building insulation. It is readily avaiable and cheap. Put that between the inner wine box and the outer box and you have some killer packing for cheap. Then mark the outside of the box as something undesireable. I use “Fragile Medical Samples in Glass”. This prevents the wine from being stolen by luggage workers. Enjoy!

By: Dr. Vino

Dr. Vino — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 14:50:16 +0000

Hi Devin -

I would imagine that you fall in a bit of a gray area–legally allowed to drink in Germany, but not in the US. Therefore I’d say you have to respect the laws where you are and it would be illegal for you to bring wine to the US. But it is a gray area since you are neither buying it nor drinking it!

And don’t forget to have your say in the poll on the drinking age.

By: Devin

Devin — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 03:49:16 +0000

I need help.. im 18 and need to know if i can take beer back with me from germany

By: Andrew Price

Andrew Price — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 10:41:46 +0000

Don’t forget that you can claim VAT and tax when you export from the country of purchase. Most shops allow this for spends of GBP 100, EUR 150 – just get a VAT Reclaim receipt.
As an example – I buy EUR 1000 of wine in France, paying 19.5% VAT. I then claim my 19.5% back – 195 EUR and pay import duty (I happen to live in Switzerland – 7.5% applies) – 75 EUR is paid. Net result – my 1000 EUR wine costs 880 EUR.

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Mon, 10 Dec 2007 15:29:45 +0000

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