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Originally Posted by BillScann
(Post 8622542)
I'll be in EZE with the family for all of November: what are LAN's rules on wine shipments as checked baggage to the USA?
-Bill |
Many thanks to Gaucho for the wine we bought at his shop on our recent trip through Buenos Aires. It safely made it back to Canada through two flights due to its expert styrofoam packing provided by Alex. Just wish we could have brought more back! He was swamped with pre-Christmas demands yet was very welcoming and gracious to us - Thanks, Alex!
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My pleasure.... and thank you for your goodwill in understanding the special time of year and allowing me to "suffer" all those interruptions during the times we met.
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UA/LH intinerary?
Would anyone happen to be familiar with LH's rules on checking wine. I will be returning to Europe on a UA/LH itinerary early January and thought I might check some wine...
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Ive never heard of LH having problems with wine as long as its properly packed and you are not grossly over your allowed weight limits/baggage allowance.
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Originally Posted by Gaucho100K
(Post 6973005)
US Customs is very easy going with wines, provided that you declare every single bottle you have with you. I have a significant group of customers that are serious "whinos" and will sometimes carry back 3 cases (yes, 36 bottles of wine) and regularly have no issues bringing in the wine.
Again, whats important is that you place every single bottle you have on your customs declaration form, and if you get asked questions, as long as you can convince them that you are not in the wine trade (ie. that the wines are not for resale - that they are for your own personal use) almost every time the customs folks will not bother to charge you tax & duty. As far as Ive researched, the reason for this is that the US doesnt charge duty based on the value of wines, rather on the alcohol content, so since most wines have an average 13-14% alcohol content in the end even if you have 3 cases of wines its not worth their time to write you up and charge you what they are supposed to. However, please do not try to scam the Customs guys and say you have 4 bottles of wine when you are carrying 6... since if you get picked for a spot check and they catch you with a lie, they will give you the full Midnight Express routine... :eek: :eek: :eek: On a final note on how Customs are with wines, I have one interesting anecdote to share.... last month, I received the visit of a retired member of Congress who purchased 3 cases of wines to take back home with him. He asked a lot of questions about duty free allowances and listened very carefully to what information I gave him. This gentleman travels with an aide/personal assistant, and I remained in email contact with the assistant to make sure that the Senatorīs wines arrived well, etc. I was surprised to hear from the assistant that upon entry to the US, the Senator had to insist the Customs agent charge him the duty, as he wanted to play 100% by the rules. |
Originally Posted by D1andonlyDman
(Post 9885226)
I have to say, as an experienced wine tourist, that this is VERY dependent upon where you clear customs in the U.S. As an individual traveler, I have muled back as much as 20 bottles and been waved through in many places - especially when clearing customs on the East Coast of the U.S., but while clearing customs in California - particularly LAX, I have been given grief and forced to wait on line for over an hour for as little as 4 bottles with duty due of less than $3. My sense is, that in California, they are conscious of protecting the local wine industry, while in other locales, they don't care and can't be bothered with the inconvenience of charging people a few dollars duty so long as the traveler has declared the stuff honestly and is bringing it back for personal consumption.
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Case bought from Gaucho... no duty in DFW. Customs said no duty on up to 3 gallons. Ymmv. Good luck.
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Gaucho - do you ship wines back to the US? And where is your shop - I will be there in November.
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Originally Posted by dcpremex
(Post 9899298)
Gaucho - do you ship wines back to the US? And where is your shop - I will be there in November.
Cheers, Alex (Gaucho100K) |
Originally Posted by jemctag
(Post 9897716)
Case bought from Gaucho... no duty in DFW. Customs said no duty on up to 3 gallons. Ymmv. Good luck.
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Originally Posted by D1andonlyDman
(Post 9885226)
I have to say, as an experienced wine tourist, that this is VERY dependent upon where you clear customs in the U.S.
It is also very dependent of traveler's attitude. My husband and I have brought many bottles back (always in foam shipper) from Australia, Italy, and France. Never had problems with airlines or customs except for one time when my husband got sassy and started to explain what the law allows to the customs agent. Things went down hill very fast. We were losing our treasures. As a dutiful wife, I quickly pushed him aside and begged for forgiveness. We were charge about $80 for the two cases we had with us. (I guess about $4.00 per bottle). We did gain a wonderful travel story. |
Just to add to the above posts... when I have customers at the store that worry about US customs and wine, I offer them a money back guarantee. If folks follow my instructions with how to declare wine (which is to declare 100% of the bottles you have on you), if you get checked and they charge you duty on your wines, I will refund your credit card for the duty amount you are charged. In my almost 5 years in business, Ive had to refund a client in only 2 (two) occasions. One client was charged $14 and the other $16.50......
Therefore, in my experience, play legit and by the rules and 99.9% of the time they will send you on your way. |
No issues with a checked case of wine from EZE to IAD.
We declared everything at US customs and again had no issues. Better yet, thanks to Gaucho's shop and packaging, the wine arrived safely. My only regret? Not buying two cases. |
Originally Posted by Neewbs
(Post 10566711)
No issues with a checked case of wine from EZE to IAD.
We declared everything at US customs and again had no issues. Better yet, thanks to Gaucho's shop and packaging, the wine arrived safely. My only regret? Not buying two cases. |
I also bought a case from Gaucho but actually had some problems with LAN. I was thinking about getting 2 cases, and I am glad we just went with one.
LAN claimed you are only allowed 6 bottles per person, no matter where you were flying to. Two other supervisors got involved and "double-checked" their policy. Since it was 2 of us, this meant we would have to break up the packaging into 2 boxes. What's amazing is LAN handed over this tiny box and asked me to squeeze 6 bottles (with no padding) and that nothing would break, unbelievable. I decided that I would stuff 3 bottles in each of our other luggage, but our luggage had already left their conveyer belt, so it had to be tracked down. On the meantime I decide to walk around the shops at EZE to find a box I can use. I come across a wine store and get a hold of some 6-bottle boxes with styrofoam, just like Guacho's (the lady at the wine store told me they were IATA approved). So $100 ARS later, i had found the best solution possible. The airline requested I wrap the boxes, so there went another $60 ARS. The good news is the bottles arrived intact and no problems with customs. Hopefully somebody out there can benefit from my experience and save themselves some stress and money (since I ended up doubling my wine packaging expenses). |
Im very sorry for your troubles.... this is the first such incident I have reported with LAN. I will try to see if this is in the contract of carriage... and I will actually get to the bottom of this as I have a good friend that is senior management at LAN Argentina.
I will be back and report my findings once I speak to my LAN contact. Once again, csrx, Im very sorry for your troubles and I appreciate your goodwill with this tense & stressful situation. I will send you a PM with my proposed solution to compensate you for your troubles. |
I am posting a little more information on my situation with LAN:
They wouldn't allow that much liquor/alcohol content in a single bag/box. Due to the size of the bottles, only 6 would be allowed. One of the supervisors seemed confused and unsure about the rule, but since everybody else was telling her the limit was 6, she gave in. At that point, there was no turning back. The lady at the wine store told me it was hit or miss for 12 bottles. I remembered reading about a situation with DL and the 5 liter rule. I told the supervisor this was not hard liquor, this was wine and had a lower percentage of alcohol and not bound to that rule. She phoned her supervisor, explained the situation, and the answer was the same. Split the packaging into 2 or you cannot take those with you. I would think that after all these years of people checking-in wine, these agents would be very clear on the policies, specially the supervisors. |
csrx-- I think that the agents & supervisors are making the same mistake that the DL folks did a few months back. I think they are forgetting that wine is not flammable.
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Im reading over on a few wine IBBs that the TSA is going to be relaxing rules limiting transport of liquids in the next couple of months... this is because most large airports are getting the new generation scanners that are able to detect the dangerous stuff, etc.
This is great news for folks wanting to travel with wine... some are even speculating that wine will once again be allowed as carry-on... ^ I will keep you all posted on the developments. |
Originally Posted by Gaucho100K
(Post 10684327)
Im reading over on a few wine IBBs that the TSA is going to be relaxing rules limiting transport of liquids in the next couple of months
Meanwhile, I'll be flying back to Buenos Aires from Mendoza on LAN, and I suspect I will have picked up some wine during my travels. :) What's the best transport solution? Can I carry any wine on-board with me? And if I have to check it, am I better off stuffing it in luggage or packing it (securely) in a separate box (not concerned from a wine bottle breakage standpoint, but from a "I hope the airline doesn't hassle me" perspective). thanks. |
Wirelessly posted (Palm TX: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows 98; PalmSource/Palm-D050; Blazer/4.3) 16;320x448)
Enforcement of regulations on domestic flights is variable. I would not suggest placing bottles in your suitcase so imo its best to get a proper wine shipper and check it in. Of course depending on what your other bags are like, keep your fingers crossed that they dont want to charge something. |
Originally Posted by Gaucho100K
(Post 10775785)
Wirelessly posted (Palm TX: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows 98; PalmSource/Palm-D050; Blazer/4.3) 16;320x448)
Enforcement of regulations on domestic flights is variable. I would not suggest placing bottles in your suitcase so imo its best to get a proper wine shipper and check it in. Of course depending on what your other bags are like, keep your fingers crossed that they dont want to charge something. |
I dont know the specifics about what LAN allows... I suggest you call then so you at least know the rules. As I say above, enforcement is variable, but it is true that LAN tends to run a tighter ship than most and throwing the book of rules at customers happens more often than on other carriers. This being said, a big smile on your face and some people skills come a long way when shmoozing at the check in counter...... good luck!!!
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Originally Posted by Gaucho100K
(Post 10776836)
I dont know the specifics about what LAN allows... I suggest you call then so you at least know the rules. As I say above, enforcement is variable, but it is true that LAN tends to run a tighter ship than most and throwing the book of rules at customers happens more often than on other carriers. This being said, a big smile on your face and some people skills come a long way when shmoozing at the check in counter...... good luck!!!
http://plane.lan.com/info_viajes/equ...ina-en-us.html So Gaucho, how much does a bottle of wine weigh? :) What I'm thinking is that I'd do better buying my Mendoza wine in BA after I fly back. AA still is generous on int'l baggage, 2 checked plus a generous carry-on, so I can get it home from there. I presume wine prices in Mendoza are not materially lower than in BA (and could they be higher?). The only downside is that it seems rude to taste at a winery without buying SOMETHING. How does that all play out in Mendoza? I'd be inclined to "risk it," but the US$12 per kilo makes that a risky bet. :) |
Originally Posted by iahphx
(Post 10778209)
I just looked at their website and -- ouch! The official limits for coach pax are only 20 kilos for checked baggage, and 8 kilos for carry on. And if you go over -- and they feel like enforcing it -- it's an astonishing US$12 PER KILO.
http://plane.lan.com/info_viajes/equ...ina-en-us.html So Gaucho, how much does a bottle of wine weigh? :) What I'm thinking is that I'd do better buying my Mendoza wine in BA after I fly back. AA still is generous on int'l baggage, 2 checked plus a generous carry-on, so I can get it home from there. I presume wine prices in Mendoza are not materially lower than in BA (and could they be higher?). The only downside is that it seems rude to taste at a winery without buying SOMETHING. How does that all play out in Mendoza? I'd be inclined to "risk it," but the US$12 per kilo makes that a risky bet. :) The buying something at the winery "obligation" does not exist in Argentina, especially since many places not charge a nominal tasting fee. However, even if they dont charge, you are not expected to buy anything. |
Thanks for the advice. I always like buying wine at wineries. Well, at least in Europe. Indeed, it's kind of expected there. In France, I once bought a couple bottles from a relatively small vintner and he said, "Monsieur, if you just wanted a bottle or two, why didn't you go to the supermarket." :p
But in America, I've generally stopped doing it (at least in California) because it has gotten more expensive at the winery than in the stores. Perhaps because of this, though, I've cut down my winery visits (I was just in SFO this summer for a week and didn't bother heading north to Sonoma or Napa). So I guess I'll have to use my "American strategy" in Mendoza. It is less fun, however. Fewer fond rememberances when you open the bottle. |
Interestingly enough, I believe that the TSA rules on liquids, combined with domestic airlines charging for checked baggage, have effectively "broken" whatever obligation to purchase wine at the winery that may have existed here in the U.S. In any case, I simply ask the folks in the winery tasting room who sells/distributes their wines in San Diego, and explain that I am only traveling with carry-on luggage. It's invariably true, and I cannot put wine in my carry-on in any case.
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As a follow up, it seems pretty easy to carry wine around in your carry-on luggage WITHIN Argentina. They just don't seem to care about liquids.
In a rather funny scene, I was returning to BA from Mendoza with about 4 bottles of wine in my carry on luggage (small winery stuff that I'd never find in BA). The x-ray operator was very thorough: they wanted to see the plastic knife I had in my suitcase (which turned out to be OK), as well as the 50 cent plastic corkscrew (which they confiscated). But the wine -- no problem! LAN did not enforce their carry on baggage limits. My wife and I each carried a rollerboard and a backpack. We printed boarding passes off the LAN website (remember to print 2 copies). Nobody said a word about our luggage in each direction from BA to Mendoza. |
Originally Posted by iahphx
(Post 10839815)
As a follow up, it seems pretty easy to carry wine around in your carry-on luggage WITHIN Argentina. They just don't seem to care about liquids.
In a rather funny scene, I was returning to BA from Mendoza with about 4 bottles of wine in my carry on luggage (small winery stuff that I'd never find in BA). The x-ray operator was very thorough: they wanted to see the plastic knife I had in my suitcase (which turned out to be OK), as well as the 50 cent plastic corkscrew (which they confiscated). But the wine -- no problem! LAN did not enforce their carry on baggage limits. My wife and I each carried a rollerboard and a backpack. We printed boarding passes off the LAN website (remember to print 2 copies). Nobody said a word about our luggage in each direction from BA to Mendoza. |
Well I had an interesting experience last night leaving EZE with 2 cases so thoughtfully picked out by Gaucho100K.
Checking in with the Delta BusinessElite counter I was told I could have 4L per person, max... I wasn't pleased. So I escalated to the supervisor and finally the on duty station manager. The final result was being told that for "security" reasons the EZE airport security doesn't want more than that amount per person but they would try to game the system and put one box on when I was checking in and the 2nd box would be sent on later. If the security people called up the Ticket Agent was to find other pax on the flight continuing to MCO and tell them that we were traveling together. In the end both boxes made it safely to the US and even stood up the the very determined inspections by CBP (30 minutes of staring at EACH of the 24 bottles of wine to determine the ABV and then the 2 agents finally gave up because they couldn't calculate the duty owed). All in all an A+ experience Gaucho100K's packing crates (styrofoam) were GREAT and I will bring them with me to Seattle in a few weeks to get some more wine home, I feel much safer with the styrofoam as compared to the normal cardboard packing that the US based wineries use! |
WBurcham-- Glad to hear you finally made it back with the wine. I think that you suffered from a case of a poorly informed/trained agent... about 1 year ago I had to go through a sort of crusade against some sloppy gate agents at the various US airlines because they were enforcing a non existent rule... the 4 liter (or 2 liters is the amount that some agents had in their head) rule is related to flammable liquids.... this includes hard liquor like Vodka or Tequila. Wine will not light up even if you hold it up to a flamethrower...... but some agents just assume that wine is like the hard stuff and that is the crux of the issue.
The EZE security excuse is 100% bullocks.... :rolleyes: If you have the name of the agent or something, do PM me as I know the senior management at Delta here in Buenos Aires and I would love to take this up with them. Good for you for escalating this to a supervisor... ^ |
Originally Posted by Gaucho100K
(Post 11584535)
WBurcham-- Glad to hear you finally made it back with the wine. I think that you suffered from a case of a poorly informed/trained agent... about 1 year ago I had to go through a sort of crusade against some sloppy gate agents at the various US airlines because they were enforcing a non existent rule... the 4 liter (or 2 liters is the amount that some agents had in their head) rule is related to flammable liquids.... this includes hard liquor like Vodka or Tequila. Wine will not light up even if you hold it up to a flamethrower...... but some agents just assume that wine is like the hard stuff and that is the crux of the issue.
The EZE security excuse is 100% bullocks.... :rolleyes: If you have the name of the agent or something, do PM me as I know the senior management at Delta here in Buenos Aires and I would love to take this up with them. Good for you for escalating this to a supervisor... ^ |
How is UA with Wine?
Originally Posted by Gaucho100K
(Post 11584535)
WBurcham-- Glad to hear you finally made it back with the wine. I think that you suffered from a case of a poorly informed/trained agent... about 1 year ago I had to go through a sort of crusade against some sloppy gate agents at the various US airlines because they were enforcing a non existent rule... the 4 liter (or 2 liters is the amount that some agents had in their head) rule is related to flammable liquids.... this includes hard liquor like Vodka or Tequila. Wine will not light up even if you hold it up to a flamethrower...... but some agents just assume that wine is like the hard stuff and that is the crux of the issue.
The EZE security excuse is 100% bullocks.... :rolleyes: If you have the name of the agent or something, do PM me as I know the senior management at Delta here in Buenos Aires and I would love to take this up with them. Good for you for escalating this to a supervisor... ^ |
Originally Posted by Gaucho100K
(Post 6976360)
I just got off the phone after a good 15 minute conversation with the folks at UA Buenos Aires.
I first spoke to a very friendly agent who said that there are no restrictions regarding wine in checked baggage, whether placed in the passenger's luggage or checked in separately. I explained about previous experiences with different interpretations of the rules, and the friendly agent suggested that in such a case, the pax should request to speak to a UA staff member and if needed, to the station manager to clear things up. The agent was really helpful and even reconfirmed all this with his supervisor, who eventually came on the phone and re-confirmed all this directly with me. The only possible "issue" that came up in the chat with the supervisor was that if a check-in agent thinks that the wine is not properly packed, the pax may be asked to sign a waiver (this will not happen if wine is presented in styrofoam wine shippers). |
FMachine-- as I understand it, the rules are in your favor... however, as all frequent flyers know, check-in agents are a "strange species".... some will go out of their way to help you while others throw the book at you, and then you have the ones that dont know what they are doing but still think they are enforcing the rules. I dont dare predict what will happen, but as far as I know, United has been the least "problematic" with wine, at least in the experience Ive had over the last 9-12 months.
Ive heard the odd issue here and there with Delta and Continental, but those are usually resolved when the pax escalates things to a supervisor and is well informed about the TSA policies. Remember to highlight the fact that wine is not a flammable.... etc. |
Originally Posted by Gaucho100K
(Post 11597965)
FMachine-- as I understand it, the rules are in your favor... however, as all frequent flyers know, check-in agents are a "strange species".... some will go out of their way to help you while others throw the book at you, and then you have the ones that dont know what they are doing but still think they are enforcing the rules. I dont dare predict what will happen, but as far as I know, United has been the least "problematic" with wine, at least in the experience Ive had over the last 9-12 months.
Ive heard the odd issue here and there with Delta and Continental, but those are usually resolved when the pax escalates things to a supervisor and is well informed about the TSA policies. Remember to highlight the fact that wine is not a flammable.... etc. |
Wirelessly posted (Palm TX: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows 98; PalmSource/Palm-D050; Blazer/4.3) 16;320x448)
FM-- good luck, please report back on the outcome when you get a chance. |
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Another datapoint here: My six bottles of Gaucho supplied wine were waived through US Customs with no concern. The agent at DFW looked at the box and immediately recognized it as wine. Purchased in EZE but check-in via AA at MVD. My husband and I did, however, have to report to agriculture to have our shoes cleaned (we visisted a farm in Uruguay). They spent 30 minutes on that but were uninterested in the duty from the wine. As it should be. ^
Also, my husband just came back from Europe with six bottles in his luggage. Pre-clearance at YVR just waived him through. |
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