I see you check out the duty free shops. Up until a recent experience, I used to also, but rarely bought. I always have the pricing on my phone from the government-run liquor store. More often than not, for specialty/pricey items, the government-run liquor store is within a couple of dollars of duty-free (inclusive of the sales tax). But I was in Dublin late in 2023 and saw that there was an Irish whiskey on sale. I did a price comparison and duty-free was 1/2 of the price here in the US - like for like comparison - as in $200 vs. $400. So I made the purchase; bottle in a beautiful outer and inner box. Duty-free bag sealed, receipt attached, etc.

Arrived in US and as you know, you have to go back through security. I'm following the rules - sealed bag, purchased with in 48 (maybe its 24) hours, etc. TSA agent, very apologetic, said the bag needs to be unsealed and the bottle unpackaged because the bottle needs to go in a special scanner. OK, no problem, especially since I had plenty of time. The scanner result was inconclusive. She took the botte to 2 or three other scanners - same inconclusive result. Then I saw her talking to her manager. This can't be good. Manager came over - again very friendly, professional, and apologetic (and this is NYC). He said 'I know you followed the rules and you expected to be able to take the bottle through, but I can't let that happen'. He asked about my departure time. He suggested that I either find a FedEx or UPS store and ship it or see if UA would retrieve my checked bag and I could place it in the checked bag. I asked him if it can't get through the scanner, why would it make it in my checked bag? He was quite sure it would not be an issue.

Fortunately, UA took pity on me and sent my checked bag to baggage claim. I packed the bottle in and was able to recheck the bag with plenty of time remaining. And the bottle made it to IAD.

I mention this long story because duty-free, never again for me!

Safe travels!