Originally Posted by
Flaneurs
So now I am really confused. If Mrs. Flaneurs and I want to bring a case of wine back from Europe can we do it? Obviously we know we will be over the duty free limits and would declare and pay any duty requested. We will be going through customs in JFK but then changing airlines and flying to Montana. Do we need to look up the rules for MT, NY or is it just the Federal Government?
ubernostrum is correct that you technically need to obey both the laws of NY and MT. However, in nearly all circumstances you will experience on your trip, NY is the only one that matters.
CBP is tasked with enforcing the rules of the state you will be entering, so in my experience, they don't care about where you're off to next. Since you clear customs at JFK, your flight to MT will be domestic, and there will be no customs inspection when you land. Technically, I suppose MT would be within their rights to have someone at the airport to question people on incoming flights about alcohol, but have you ever seen that happen?