Originally Posted by
StuckInYYZ
I find if this is your first time and you're honest about it (eg, declare it), generally it's a no harm no foul and you can get out of any related fine (they'll just take it away). But if you have a record of trying this before (it will be recorded in your profile) or you're trying to deceive border control, they'll hit you with a fine as well as confiscate it. It doesn't have to be specifically alcohol related, it could be something like trying to smuggle something in or (more likely) something related to a controlled substance.
That's why I mentioned in my previous post, if you like it, note it and go through your local liquor store... they'd have a better chance of getting it into the country.
The CBP folks don't care about the alcohol percentage and in fact they don't seem to care about alcohol anyways. It's the airline and cargo folks who probably care but they aren't the ones scanning the checked bags. By the time you get to the destination airport and reach customs, the danger element of 70% alcohol being in the cargo has completely vanished.
I've gone through customs at several US airports with liquor (all under 70%) I bought overseas and even when I was over the duty free limit, they just waved me through. I've been told that the land border folks care a lot more and will tax you on it.
I was just curious if anyone had brought over 70% through because I have seen some rum in the Caribbean that's over 70% and it's not imported into the US at all so I wouldn't be able to have a store order it.