Is wine allowed to be in checked baggage?
May 27, 2012, 7:14 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: San Diego,CA,USA
Programs: Southwest Companion Pass American Admirals Club Lifetime,IHG Rewards Spire,HHonors Gold
Posts: 1,358
Is wine allowed to be in checked baggage?
Unopened bottles of wine? And since I am going out of state how many
are allowed? My friend left six bottles of wine at my house and I wanted to
bring them but not sure of the rules.
are allowed? My friend left six bottles of wine at my house and I wanted to
bring them but not sure of the rules.
Last edited by sanFF; May 27, 2012 at 7:19 am
May 27, 2012, 7:21 am
#2
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: at 35,000 feet
Programs: WN A-List; Hyatt Glob: CC/HH Gold, Hertz 5*
Posts: 1,473
It's all under Luggage:
Alcoholic Beverages
Southwest allows alcohol to be carried in checked luggage under the following conditions.
Alcohol (wine and liquor) must be in the original unopened container with the manufacturer's label when transported in or as checked baggage.
The maximum quantity of liquor that may be transported in or as checked baggage on Southwest Airlines is five liters per Customer. Wine is not subject to the five-liter per Customer limitation.
Alcohol content may not exceed 70% by volume (140 proof).
Alcohol (wine and liquor) in checked baggage must be securely packaged in a leak-proof bag with adequate professional packaging designed to fit the proportions of the bottle to prevent breakage.
Alcohol (wine and liquor) accepted as checked baggage must be contained within a corrugated box secured with sealing tape. The contents must be packaged in a leak-proof bag with professional packaging designed to fit the proportions of the bottle to prevent breakage.
Liquor and wine packaging is available for sale at Southwest Airlines ticket counters for $5.00 per unit.
Southwest Airlines does not accept liability for breakage of liquids or fragile items in checked luggage even if transported in special packaging purchased from Southwest Airlines.
Packaging purchased at Southwest Airlines ticket counters is intended for liquor or wine placed inside checked baggage only.
Professional packaging by alcohol and wine suppliers (e.g., cruise lines, wineries, duty-free shops) is acceptable as long as the contents have adequate cushioning and the packaging prevents leakage.
All alcohol (wine and liquor) is subject to TSA screening.
Alcoholic Beverages
Southwest allows alcohol to be carried in checked luggage under the following conditions.
Alcohol (wine and liquor) must be in the original unopened container with the manufacturer's label when transported in or as checked baggage.
The maximum quantity of liquor that may be transported in or as checked baggage on Southwest Airlines is five liters per Customer. Wine is not subject to the five-liter per Customer limitation.
Alcohol content may not exceed 70% by volume (140 proof).
Alcohol (wine and liquor) in checked baggage must be securely packaged in a leak-proof bag with adequate professional packaging designed to fit the proportions of the bottle to prevent breakage.
Alcohol (wine and liquor) accepted as checked baggage must be contained within a corrugated box secured with sealing tape. The contents must be packaged in a leak-proof bag with professional packaging designed to fit the proportions of the bottle to prevent breakage.
Liquor and wine packaging is available for sale at Southwest Airlines ticket counters for $5.00 per unit.
Southwest Airlines does not accept liability for breakage of liquids or fragile items in checked luggage even if transported in special packaging purchased from Southwest Airlines.
Packaging purchased at Southwest Airlines ticket counters is intended for liquor or wine placed inside checked baggage only.
Professional packaging by alcohol and wine suppliers (e.g., cruise lines, wineries, duty-free shops) is acceptable as long as the contents have adequate cushioning and the packaging prevents leakage.
All alcohol (wine and liquor) is subject to TSA screening.
May 27, 2012, 7:48 am
#3
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Nashville, TN
Programs: WN Nothing and spending the half million points from too many flights, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 8,043
It's all under Luggage:
Alcoholic Beverages
Southwest allows alcohol to be carried in checked luggage under the following conditions.
Alcohol (wine and liquor) must be in the original unopened container with the manufacturer's label when transported in or as checked baggage.
The maximum quantity of liquor that may be transported in or as checked baggage on Southwest Airlines is five liters per Customer. Wine is not subject to the five-liter per Customer limitation.
Alcohol content may not exceed 70% by volume (140 proof).
Alcohol (wine and liquor) in checked baggage must be securely packaged in a leak-proof bag with adequate professional packaging designed to fit the proportions of the bottle to prevent breakage.
Alcohol (wine and liquor) accepted as checked baggage must be contained within a corrugated box secured with sealing tape. The contents must be packaged in a leak-proof bag with professional packaging designed to fit the proportions of the bottle to prevent breakage.
Liquor and wine packaging is available for sale at Southwest Airlines ticket counters for $5.00 per unit.
Southwest Airlines does not accept liability for breakage of liquids or fragile items in checked luggage even if transported in special packaging purchased from Southwest Airlines.
Packaging purchased at Southwest Airlines ticket counters is intended for liquor or wine placed inside checked baggage only.
Professional packaging by alcohol and wine suppliers (e.g., cruise lines, wineries, duty-free shops) is acceptable as long as the contents have adequate cushioning and the packaging prevents leakage.
All alcohol (wine and liquor) is subject to TSA screening.
Alcoholic Beverages
Southwest allows alcohol to be carried in checked luggage under the following conditions.
Alcohol (wine and liquor) must be in the original unopened container with the manufacturer's label when transported in or as checked baggage.
The maximum quantity of liquor that may be transported in or as checked baggage on Southwest Airlines is five liters per Customer. Wine is not subject to the five-liter per Customer limitation.
Alcohol content may not exceed 70% by volume (140 proof).
Alcohol (wine and liquor) in checked baggage must be securely packaged in a leak-proof bag with adequate professional packaging designed to fit the proportions of the bottle to prevent breakage.
Alcohol (wine and liquor) accepted as checked baggage must be contained within a corrugated box secured with sealing tape. The contents must be packaged in a leak-proof bag with professional packaging designed to fit the proportions of the bottle to prevent breakage.
Liquor and wine packaging is available for sale at Southwest Airlines ticket counters for $5.00 per unit.
Southwest Airlines does not accept liability for breakage of liquids or fragile items in checked luggage even if transported in special packaging purchased from Southwest Airlines.
Packaging purchased at Southwest Airlines ticket counters is intended for liquor or wine placed inside checked baggage only.
Professional packaging by alcohol and wine suppliers (e.g., cruise lines, wineries, duty-free shops) is acceptable as long as the contents have adequate cushioning and the packaging prevents leakage.
All alcohol (wine and liquor) is subject to TSA screening.
Hugely good advice!
In addition, see my bold above. $5 a bottle is cheap insurance. I would even suggest going to your local Spirits Store and having them professionally pack it. A UPS Store or FedEx can do the same. Explain to both that it is for checked luggage and not to be shipped. (Shipping alcohol to some states is illegal and the checked baggage route is the best.
Once packed, and double boxed, put it inside a large suitcase surrounded by soft clothes and check it as its own bag. Include a small roll of shipping tape so that if the TSA opens it they might out of the goodness of their heart reseal it. You have the option of asking the TSA to screen it in your presence and resealing it before it enters the luggage stream.
If it is very valuable, borrow or rent a Pelican or similar case.
If it is cheap wine, drink it yourself and buy more at your destination.
May 28, 2012, 8:31 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: San Diego,CA,USA
Programs: Southwest Companion Pass American Admirals Club Lifetime,IHG Rewards Spire,HHonors Gold
Posts: 1,358
Thanks everyone
Now to find out what is a "secured container" in their deffinition. I will go to
BevMo and see what they have then to FedEx.
BevMo and see what they have then to FedEx.
May 28, 2012, 8:40 am
#5
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: PHX
Programs: SWA A+ & CP, Delta GM, Hyatt Diamond, *wood Plat, HH Diamond
Posts: 68
My wife and I bought one of these last year...well worth it after our three napa trips.
http://www.thewinecheck.com/
http://www.thewinecheck.com/
May 29, 2012, 8:08 am
#7
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: LAS
Programs: WN, HA, UA
Posts: 24
We frequently put wine bottles in our check luggage, when we are leaving on a cruise. We put the bottles in a product called "Wine Diapers". Wine diapers are are sold on Amazon.com and other online stores. They are bags that are lined with diaper material so if the bottle breaks the wine is absorbed, thus protecting your clothes.
May 29, 2012, 10:16 am
#8
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: Marriott Plat, SPG Plat, UA 1K, Southwest CP
Posts: 17
i have frequently wrapped 4 - 6 bottles of wine in my clothes and cushioned it well in my checked luggage with no issues. of course, a leak-proof sleeve is still recommended if available!
May 29, 2012, 3:12 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Chicagoland, IL, USA
Programs: WN CP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,192
Large ziploc-type bags highly recommended for this. You can get them from a supply place like www.uline.com.
Ziploc used to sell huge zip bags with handles (called "ziploc big bags"). I think they are discontinued, but you can find them on ebay for a few dollars. They are about 2 x 3 feet. Very useful for all kinds of purposes.
Also look at suppliers such as: http://www.spiritedshipper.com for the immediate padding. I used these to bring 35 bottles of beer back from Belgium last month in my regular luggage and they worked great; they can be adjusted to different sizes of bottles:
http://www.spiritedshipper.com/inserts.html
Ziploc used to sell huge zip bags with handles (called "ziploc big bags"). I think they are discontinued, but you can find them on ebay for a few dollars. They are about 2 x 3 feet. Very useful for all kinds of purposes.
Also look at suppliers such as: http://www.spiritedshipper.com for the immediate padding. I used these to bring 35 bottles of beer back from Belgium last month in my regular luggage and they worked great; they can be adjusted to different sizes of bottles:
http://www.spiritedshipper.com/inserts.html
May 30, 2012, 10:37 am
#11
Join Date: Sep 2008
Programs: N/A (kid =! no travel :( )
Posts: 236
I have used both the spirited shipper and the u-haul insert based boxes. I got both styles from previous beer orders but I am at the point of needing to order a new set by itself. I have never had a problem with either but I have used the U haul ones the most but they are 5 dollars more expensive per box.
http://www.uhaul.com/MovingSupplies/...g-Kits?mid=169
but with the uhaul boxes you get free shipping on a min of 2 while the shipping cost on the others are pretty high.
http://www.uhaul.com/MovingSupplies/...g-Kits?mid=169
but with the uhaul boxes you get free shipping on a min of 2 while the shipping cost on the others are pretty high.