I would like to return from my trip to Paris with a case of wine as part of my checked luggage allowance. Does anyone have any experience doing this. My first concern is do the airlines allow this. I will be on Northwest which will allow me 70 lbs, so I know I'm covered weight wise but I'm not sure about the following quote from their website.

"Alcoholic Beverages: In retail packaging containing between 24% up to 70% alcohol by volume and in receptacles not exceeding 5 liters and a total quantity per person of 5 liters may be accepted in carry-on luggage or checked luggage."

Since the wine is around 13% alc/vol, does this 5 liter rule apply?

Anyone have any experience with this issue.

Thanks.

Joe

A case of wine is 8 litres.

A couple of years ago, two of us brought back about 24 bottles of wine. We had six each as a carry-on, and 12 in a special, padded bag that was checked. This was with Air France, and there was no problem.

Just remember, if you are going to check the wine, make sure you obtain a true shipping box and appropriate bottle separators. Otherwise, you may not have anything but broken glass to show for your efforts.

(A case of twelve bottles is 9 liters, not 8)

You'll be allright with the wine. just write on your custom's slip "wine" and the value. they'll give you no problem. The packing is the problem. On my last trip two bottles broke at the neck. The mess was unbelievable and it stank quite awfully. Make triple sure that each bottle is well packed on its own to avoid any contact or schock with the others as well as a solid case.

after arriving, allow ample time before opening.

Cheers!

Most wine in France is not cheaper than USA.

The fed tax on a case of wine is $3.85 as I recall. They calculate the gallons.

I have hauled in much wine from Italy, where it is much less expensive than US. Sometimes 18 bottles for me, and 18 with my wife. We have never paid duty on the wine, even when I brought in merchandise requiring large duty payments.

I use hardside luggage(remember samsonite) and put burgandy paper mache separators on both sides making 2 rows. I line all sides and center of the suitcase with bubble wrap and or towels. I have never lost a bottle. Have lost a handle or two.

US Customs Agents are required to enforce all federal and STATE laws. If you come into a state where it is illegal to bring wine in from outside(MD is one such state, I think), you will have a whole set of problems that I am not familiar with.

Northwest will allow(are required to allow) 2 x 32kg pieces of luggage.

I would be reluctant to check wine because of the potential for breakage as others have noted. We regularly bring wine home from trips to Europe. We get two of the 6-bottle carrying cases (often times wine stories have these for about $1 a box) and carry it on.

Do pay attention to your state laws, as slawecki mentioned.

slawecki: There are other reasons from bringing home wine besides cost. We usually seek out wines that are not available in the US.

Thanks for all the responses. I never thought about my states laws. I'm from MI, I've been looking online and from what I can see I'm only allowed to bring back 1 liter of alcohol from outside the U.S. without getting special permission from MI's liqour control commission. Anyone from MI, know anything about this? Thanks again.

Since NW is the big MI airline, post this quetion in the NW board.

I've brought back about 3-500 bottles of wine in the checked suitcases, and have yet to break one.

I understand that the small producers of champagne sell at their vineyard for very reasonable prices. Some of these are very fine wines, far superior to the brand names.

I have brought wine back as checked baggage on several occasions from different places around the world. I have yet to lose any bottles to breakage.

I buy cardboard wine shipper cases from local air freight companies. I usually buy from TNT freight which has offices near most major airports worldwide. Typically, the cost is about $10-12 each.

Be prepared for a possible delay at customs if the agents aren't used to dealing with wine. I once waited extra 45 minutes at LAX while they determined that the duty wasn't worth collecting.

I have checked whole cases in doubled manufacturers cardboard cartons- I squeeze the full carton into the next bigger size carton so the shell is two ply- never had any breakage from SFO to JFK. Of course now the weight of a full case domestically carries a charge. I also schlepped a case of Cape wines from South Africa to JFK padded with towels and clothes in an inexpensive suitcase I bought there for to handle all my acquisitions. No loss. And when I pointed out to the customs officer that I owe for a full case of wine, he blew it off- guess they can't be bothered if it's just a few bucks. I have heard Texas only allows 1 liter of alcoholic beverage per person. Anything more is confiscated. Don't re-enter the US via DFW or IAH after a wine tour of Europe if you're packing drinkable souvenirs!

dup

[This message has been edited by aamilesslave (edited Mar 23, 2004).]

I too have checked wine. I typically use boxes for 2-3 bottles. I wrap each bottle in lots of newspaper and stuff the box full of newspaper. I tape up the boxes, and make sure that are packed tight in the luggage...so they don't shift around a lot.

TABC allows import of 3 gallons of wine for residents and 1 gallon of wine for non-residents. My calculation is coming out to 15 bottles (750 ml/bottle).

http://www.tabc.state.tx.us/help/poe.htm

How much alcohol can I bring back from Mexico and other locations outside of Texas?
If you are a Texas resident (including persons in the armed forces stationed in Texas), the maximum quantity of alcoholic beverages that you can bring back into Texas is:

1 quart of distilled spirits
3 gallons of wine and
24 twelve-ounce containers of beer.

If you are a nonresident of Texas, the maximum quantity of alcoholic beverages that you can bring back into Texas is:

1 gallon of distilled spirits or wine (or any combination of the two)
and 24 twelve-ounce containers of beer.


What happens if I bring in more alcoholic beverages than my allowed limit?

Our Taxpayer Compliance Officers are authorized to seize and destroy alcoholic beverages over the importation limits as well as those in the possession of minors or intoxicated persons. Cigarettes in the possession of persons under the age of 18 will also be confiscated and destroyed.

I can recall when those bottles, and hard liquor were called "fifths".