Adding my $0.02 based on my experience checking wine in and out of various countries:

DL, AA and UA have no problems with checking wine in the proper wine shipper box. UA will place a special "blue" baggage tape to indicate that it's a baggage item and not cargo to make sure it ends up on the right flight. In addition, UA may ask you to sign a waiver for fragile item, as it's standard for boxes. However, do not let them tell you to sign for "unsuitably packed" if you are using a shipper box- that waives the liability for breakage. Obviously, this will take up your checked luggage allowance. Although, remember that AA premium cabin passengers can check up to 3 bags, and *G members can also check 3 bags on UA.

For USA customs, the rule is to declare the # of bottles and value. The number of bottles make a difference, since the volume of alcohol imported triggers whether the wine is dutiable or not. Duty is calculated based on the value of the items imported. Personal exemption is 1 liter of alcohol for US residents, which means pretty much 1 bottle. Any excess alcohol is dutied at 3% of value of wine in excess of personal exemption. For example, if you brought a case of wine, at a total value of US$600, you're be responsible for paying duties on $550 (approximately), regardless of the fact that you are allowed $800 exemption as a resident.

However, the CBP agents have been given some latitude of waiving duties. The general guideline seems to be the $800 per person exemption (even though the number of bottles overrides the value), so they can waive duties under $25 or so. You should have receipts supporting the overall value of wine you are declaring, in case they ask (which never happened to me, but you never know). Also, be aware that if you have Global Entry, also declare accordingly, and you'll be sent to an agent instead of instant-clear. Even though some CBP agents have told me that "the wine doesn't matter", if they caught you answering the questions incorrectly, you'll lose your Global Entry privileges.

Also, don't forget to declare all other goods brought into the US.

Just to clarify the above post... since the volume of alcohol is the trigger, and most red wines are on average 14% alcohol by volume... you actually have to bring in a large amount of wine to get your potential total customs bill to a figure that warrats the officers to want to write you up.

Its a different thing when you bring in spirits.... hard booze will have about 40% alcohol (some high octane stuff up to 50%) alcohol and its there that Uncle Sam starts to collect $$$ quickly.

In my experience with wines and US Customs, you can even bring in 3 cases (36 bottles) of red wine and as long as you declare it, chances of getting written up and charged duty is less than 5%.

Actually, to further clarify, for US customs, it's the volume of alcoholic beverage, not alcohol content. Unlike the UK, US customs does not distinguish between beer, wine, or spirits for duties purposes.

To further further clarify, it is the volume that triggers the duty. It is the alcohol % upon which the duty is calculated. So, 2 750ml bottles of wine triggers the declaration, but .5L overlimit @14% is going to be in the centavos of duty. A bottle of wine typically would have 1/3 the duty of a bottle of distilled spirits.

Clarifications aside.... the good news is that my experience with US based clients shows me that as long as you declare all the wine you bring in, even if you do carry enough to trigger the duty, it is very very difficult that you will find a customs officer that will care to write you up and collect whatever is due.

I know of a wine merchant that has a US tax & duty money back guarantee, and in the 5+ years since he has been offering it... he has been called upon to honor it only once.

I have never been dinged. I've never had as much as a case of anything, but I've had more than 6 bottles - including distilled spirits in the mix. I just write it on the form.

I just returned from another awesome trip to Argentina, with the usual visit to Gaucho100K's store. I brought back a case of his well recommended wines and breezed through customs at IAD with no problems at all. Now I wish I'd have bought more. Oh well, next trip... ;)

No Problem, no charge
 

Hi There,

1K UA member w/ 3 pcs of luggage allowed. I checked in two cases of wine in boxed styro shippers and added a couple of bottles from duty free. Declared 26 750ml bottles at over 2K USD in value. Was waved thru w/o paying any duty. God Bless America!!! :-)

Cheers,

-Cyborg

Ps. The wine arrived in fine condition and I'm enjoying a 2001 Vina Alicia Cab that was just replaced/replenished with new juice brought up fro BA...

Glad it all arrived well !!! :D ^

Really glad I found this thread. Even though I've brought wine back before, I still had questions and this thread seems to answer all of them.

I'm tempted to see if three six-bottle shippers will fit in my big Eagle Creek nylon duffel - then again, that might break the 50 lb limit.

See you in a week, Alex...

I suggest you look into the details of what your airline will charge for a little overweight, and also see what you are entitled to according to the class of service and/or ff status, etc.

It really depends on the bottles. I've found some Argentine bottles are extremely heavy, and some are normal. Perhaps Alex can put some of the heavy bottles on the famous Argentine bulimia diet prior to your arrival :p

I suppose it is heretical to ask....
but what would be a good 3L BOX wine brand
to look for in BA prior to return?

Those boxes and plastic liners are quite indestructable.
Of course, it won't be GOOD wine, but maybe good enough,
..maybe better than the ones here at COSTCO... :o.

Yes... but if you are packing these in styrofoam then you will still be OK, unless you are packing a case full of these oversized bottles it will work, as styrofoam has enough flexibility to make room for larger bottles but still keep the outer cardboard box in the same shape. As long as the styro carriers fit in the duffle bag the above poster will be OK.

Large format TetraPack wines are not common in Argentina... plenty of 1 liter boxes but thats the largest format Ive seen in the domestic market.