Bringing beer into the US-Customs question
Jul 8, 2012 | 12:31 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: ICN / 평택
Programs: AA, DL Gold, UA Gold, HHonors Gold
Posts: 8,713
Bringing beer into the US-Customs question
I'm going to be bringing some beer that I picked up in Europe into the US in my checked baggage. I am planning right now on about 20 bottles (roughly 10 liters) of beer and 2-3 bottles of wine. Citizenship is US.
1. Has anybody had any negative experiences with bringing what may appear to be a large quantity of beer into the US?
2. Is it normal for customs to require some kind of proof of how much you paid? This beer is not special and cost no more than 1 USD per bottle (but would be much more expensive if purchased in the states if you could even find these local brands). I don't have receipts.
Thanks
1. Has anybody had any negative experiences with bringing what may appear to be a large quantity of beer into the US?
2. Is it normal for customs to require some kind of proof of how much you paid? This beer is not special and cost no more than 1 USD per bottle (but would be much more expensive if purchased in the states if you could even find these local brands). I don't have receipts.
Thanks
Jul 8, 2012 | 4:54 am
#2
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Nashville, TN
Programs: WN Nothing and spending the half million points from too many flights, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 8,043
I'm going to be bringing some beer that I picked up in Europe into the US in my checked baggage. I am planning right now on about 20 bottles (roughly 10 liters) of beer and 2-3 bottles of wine. Citizenship is US.
1. Has anybody had any negative experiences with bringing what may appear to be a large quantity of beer into the US?
2. Is it normal for customs to require some kind of proof of how much you paid? This beer is not special and cost no more than 1 USD per bottle (but would be much more expensive if purchased in the states if you could even find these local brands). I don't have receipts.
Thanks
1. Has anybody had any negative experiences with bringing what may appear to be a large quantity of beer into the US?
2. Is it normal for customs to require some kind of proof of how much you paid? This beer is not special and cost no more than 1 USD per bottle (but would be much more expensive if purchased in the states if you could even find these local brands). I don't have receipts.
Thanks
Alcoholic Beverages
One liter (33.8 fl. oz.) of alcoholic beverages may be included in your exemption if:
You are 21 years old.
It is for your own use or as a gift.
It does not violate the laws of the state in which you arrive.
Federal regulations allow you to bring back more than one liter of alcoholic beverage for personal use, but, as with extra tobacco, you will have to pay duty and Internal Revenue Service tax.
While federal regulations do not specify a limit on the amount of alcohol you may bring back for personal use, unusual quantities are liable to raise suspicions that you are importing the alcohol for other purposes, such as for resale. CBP officers are authorized by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to make on-the-spot determinations that an importation is for commercial purposes, and may require you to obtain a permit to import the alcohol before releasing it to you. If you intend to bring back a substantial quantity of alcohol for your personal use, you should contact the port through which you will be re-entering the country, and make prior arrangements for entering the alcohol into the United States.
Also, you should be aware that state laws might limit the amount of alcohol you can bring in without a license. If you arrive in a state that has limitations on the amount of alcohol you may bring in without a license, that state law will be enforced by CBP, even though it may be more restrictive than federal regulations. We recommend that you check with the state government before you go abroad about their limitations on quantities allowed for personal importation and additional state taxes that might apply.
In brief, for both alcohol and tobacco, the quantities discussed in this booklet as being eligible for duty-free treatment may be included in your $800 or $1,600 exemption, just as any other purchase would be. But unlike other kinds of merchandise, amounts beyond those discussed here as being duty-free are taxed, even if you have not exceeded, or even met, your personal exemption. For example, if your exemption is $800 and you bring back three liters of wine and nothing else, two of those liters will be dutiable. Federal law prohibits shipping alcoholic beverages by mail within the United States.
One liter (33.8 fl. oz.) of alcoholic beverages may be included in your exemption if:
You are 21 years old.
It is for your own use or as a gift.
It does not violate the laws of the state in which you arrive.
Federal regulations allow you to bring back more than one liter of alcoholic beverage for personal use, but, as with extra tobacco, you will have to pay duty and Internal Revenue Service tax.
While federal regulations do not specify a limit on the amount of alcohol you may bring back for personal use, unusual quantities are liable to raise suspicions that you are importing the alcohol for other purposes, such as for resale. CBP officers are authorized by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to make on-the-spot determinations that an importation is for commercial purposes, and may require you to obtain a permit to import the alcohol before releasing it to you. If you intend to bring back a substantial quantity of alcohol for your personal use, you should contact the port through which you will be re-entering the country, and make prior arrangements for entering the alcohol into the United States.
Also, you should be aware that state laws might limit the amount of alcohol you can bring in without a license. If you arrive in a state that has limitations on the amount of alcohol you may bring in without a license, that state law will be enforced by CBP, even though it may be more restrictive than federal regulations. We recommend that you check with the state government before you go abroad about their limitations on quantities allowed for personal importation and additional state taxes that might apply.
In brief, for both alcohol and tobacco, the quantities discussed in this booklet as being eligible for duty-free treatment may be included in your $800 or $1,600 exemption, just as any other purchase would be. But unlike other kinds of merchandise, amounts beyond those discussed here as being duty-free are taxed, even if you have not exceeded, or even met, your personal exemption. For example, if your exemption is $800 and you bring back three liters of wine and nothing else, two of those liters will be dutiable. Federal law prohibits shipping alcoholic beverages by mail within the United States.
Jul 8, 2012 | 6:18 am
#3
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Luxembourg
Programs: KLM/AF Platinum for life, IHG Platinum, Accor Platinum
Posts: 1,027
Citizenship is irrelevant to US customs. Residency counts. US Citizens who are non-residents are treated the exact same as other non-residents.
That said, the alcohol restrictions are the same for all persons entering the US, regardless of where you reside. What changes is the $ limit of non-alcohol/non-tobacco goods you can bring in.
US Resident with 3 bottles of 200 each wine:
3x750ml = 2.25litres, so you would be liable for import duty on 1.25litres. This is about 3% plus misc. admin fees. The fact that you have not gone over your exemption in $ terms is irrelvant for tobacco and alcohol.
Watch out for the state you are going to as there may also be laws there limiting what you can bring in, and your 10+3 bottles could be an issue, especially if they are half-litre bottles of beer.
Assume 4/bottle for your beer and 10/btl for your wine. You would be looking at about $2 in duty and another $2 in excise tax. No idea what the processing/admin fees would be.
That said, the alcohol restrictions are the same for all persons entering the US, regardless of where you reside. What changes is the $ limit of non-alcohol/non-tobacco goods you can bring in.
US Resident with 3 bottles of 200 each wine:
3x750ml = 2.25litres, so you would be liable for import duty on 1.25litres. This is about 3% plus misc. admin fees. The fact that you have not gone over your exemption in $ terms is irrelvant for tobacco and alcohol.
Watch out for the state you are going to as there may also be laws there limiting what you can bring in, and your 10+3 bottles could be an issue, especially if they are half-litre bottles of beer.
Assume 4/bottle for your beer and 10/btl for your wine. You would be looking at about $2 in duty and another $2 in excise tax. No idea what the processing/admin fees would be.
Jul 8, 2012 | 6:58 am
#4
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,253
Don't put carbonated beverages such as beer in checked luggage. At 40,000 feet in an unpressurized hold you're going to arrive to a suitcase full of beer and broken glass soaked clothes.
Jul 8, 2012 | 7:08 am
#5
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Orlando, FL, US
Programs: DL-Dirt Medallion;US-Cast Iron Preferred
Posts: 3,617
What modern airliner has unpressurized holds? My guess is none. OTOH, not all holds are heated, but most likely it wouldn't get cold enough for long enough to freeze beer.
Jul 8, 2012 | 9:05 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: ICN / 평택
Programs: AA, DL Gold, UA Gold, HHonors Gold
Posts: 8,713
I've flown with beer and wine before and had no issues, although not in these quantities. I wrap it well in spare socks or soft clothing and then a plastic bag around the clothing, and I think I've only had one bottle break in all my years. I don't fly with the pop-top type bottles, only the ones with actual bottle caps.
Jul 8, 2012 | 9:10 am
#7
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: On the road in North America....
Programs: UA 1MM, *G, Global Entry
Posts: 579
Just be prepared for a long delay at customs for a secondary inspection and duty calculation.
Last year, I came though IAD with an extra bottle of wine. I declared them, and the inspector said that he wasn't going to bother sending me to secondary because it would take an hour or more and it wasn't worth it for one bottle. They might not be so nice for the amount you're bringing.
Last year, I came though IAD with an extra bottle of wine. I declared them, and the inspector said that he wasn't going to bother sending me to secondary because it would take an hour or more and it wasn't worth it for one bottle. They might not be so nice for the amount you're bringing.
Jul 8, 2012 | 9:17 am
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: ICN / 평택
Programs: AA, DL Gold, UA Gold, HHonors Gold
Posts: 8,713
I'm entering through DFW, so TX law will apply, although my final destination will be CO. According to their website, you can import up to 3 gallons of wine and 24 12 oz containers of beer. I'll probably knock it down to 10-12 bottles or so to be on the safe side. I've got 3 1/2 hours to connect, but I'd obviously rather not spend all of that time in customs.
http://www.tabc.state.tx.us/faq/pers...mportation.asp
Maybe I'll get lucky and they'll decide it isn't worth the effort to collect the duty, which would be pretty minimal. I think the most I've brought back into the states before was around 10 bottles and the customs agent didn't bat an eye. I'm always very careful to declare it all, just in case.
http://www.tabc.state.tx.us/faq/pers...mportation.asp
Maybe I'll get lucky and they'll decide it isn't worth the effort to collect the duty, which would be pretty minimal. I think the most I've brought back into the states before was around 10 bottles and the customs agent didn't bat an eye. I'm always very careful to declare it all, just in case.
Jul 8, 2012 | 9:23 am
#9
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Dulles, VA
Programs: United Airlines 1 MM, Marriott Life Titanium
Posts: 2,777
My opinion is to skip they beer. It's a lot of weight to lug around and a lot of hassle for a pretty small payoff at the end. I can see bringing back a few bottles of really good wine, or an alcohol that isn't available in the US. But, unless it's a brewhauf like Vetter or something that absolutely isn't available in any fashion in the US, I wouldn't dream of lugging beer back home, and never in that quantity. Maybe a bottle or two at most.
Jul 8, 2012 | 9:26 am
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: ICN / 평택
Programs: AA, DL Gold, UA Gold, HHonors Gold
Posts: 8,713
My opinion is to skip they beer. It's a lot of weight to lug around and a lot of hassle for a pretty small payoff at the end. I can see bringing back a few bottles of really good wine, or an alcohol that isn't available in the US. But, unless it's a brewhauf like Vetter or something that absolutely isn't available in any fashion in the US, I wouldn't dream of lugging beer back home, and never in that quantity. Maybe a bottle or two at most.
Jul 8, 2012 | 9:31 am
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: ICN / 평택
Programs: AA, DL Gold, UA Gold, HHonors Gold
Posts: 8,713
But there's no limit to what I can bring in according to the Feds, only what I would need to pay a duty on. It seems to me that if TX law states that someone can import up to 24 12-oz containers legally, a customs officer wouldn't consider any amount up to that to be intended for commercial resale and wouldn't confiscate it. Paying the federal fees and TX state fees isn't the problem; I just want to be able to legally get it into the country without someone deciding for themselves that I intend to re-sell it, which is not the case.
Jul 8, 2012 | 11:18 am
#13
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: DTW
Programs: Dirt Status w/ All
Posts: 5,049
I routinely drive beer and liquor over from Canada since Ontario duty free is much cheaper than Michigan prices, if you buy enough to cover the tunnel fees, hassle, etc. It is pretty common for people to stock their entire wedding with Canadian booze since it is much cheaper.
You are basically allowed one liter of liquor, one case of beer (24x12 oz) or one bottle of wine duty free after being out of the country for 48 hours. After that, it is around $3 for each in duty. The actual cost varies by alcohol content - I think a 80 proof bottle of whiskey runs $2.85.
10 liters of beer is just over a case, plus three bottles of wine put you 3-4 "units" over your duty free allowance, so you are looking at around $10 in duty to the Feds. I doubt they will really want to hassle you over $10. I've brought back 3-4 bottles of liquor/wine by air and never been stopped. As for TX law, I also doubt they really want to call local authorities because you over imported a half case of beer.
You are basically allowed one liter of liquor, one case of beer (24x12 oz) or one bottle of wine duty free after being out of the country for 48 hours. After that, it is around $3 for each in duty. The actual cost varies by alcohol content - I think a 80 proof bottle of whiskey runs $2.85.
10 liters of beer is just over a case, plus three bottles of wine put you 3-4 "units" over your duty free allowance, so you are looking at around $10 in duty to the Feds. I doubt they will really want to hassle you over $10. I've brought back 3-4 bottles of liquor/wine by air and never been stopped. As for TX law, I also doubt they really want to call local authorities because you over imported a half case of beer.
Jul 8, 2012 | 10:23 pm
#14
In Memoriam
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Easton, CT, USA
Programs: ua prem exec, Former hilton diamond
Posts: 31,801
While Texas law does not affect the duty paid, it will affect what you can enter the country with.
Also, you should be aware that state laws might limit the amount of alcohol you can bring in without a license. If you arrive in a state that has limitations on the amount of alcohol you may bring in without a license, that state law will be enforced by CBP, even though it may be more restrictive than federal regulations. We recommend that you check with the state government before you go abroad about their limitations on quantities allowed for personal importation and additional state taxes that might apply.
If you decide to do this, make sure to declare it. Chances are they will waive you through without any hassle, but if you don't declare and they find it things may be quite different.
Jul 9, 2012 | 7:34 am
#15
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: BOS and vicinity
Programs: Former UA 1P
Posts: 3,730
The penalty for not declaring the items on the customs form is pretty nasty and not worth the risk.
The duty calculation is based on volume of alcohol not the purchase price, so it takes a lot of beer to have a lot of alcohol, and the duty rate isn't that high to begin with. You're looking at a couple of bucks per liter of beer. So they have very little motivation to collect the duty unless they decide they don't like you or are otherwise on a power trip.
I have no experience with state laws interfering with this process. Most of my arrivals with alcohol have been at IAD and ORD.