Top 5 Tips for Traveling with Alcohol on a Flight
1) Carrying on your hooch
You may carry on alcohol in small quantities. Specifically, in containers of 100 milliliters or 3.4 ounces, no different than shampoo, toothpaste, or other gels and liquids. All your gels and liquids must fit into one quart-sized plastic bag. I’ve typically used 2-ounce glass bottles (here’s a link for some on Amazon). They work well, and you can fit 5-6 of them comfortably into that quart-sized baggie. These are permitted through T.S.A., or if traveling internationally, by airport security in most other nations. Note- In my personal experience, the only place I’ve been caught off guard was in mainland China. They allow for two bottles in your checked bags, but no booze in your carry-on bags! Always check with Google before flying just to be sure.
Oh, one more note on carry-on booze: You can’t drink it on your flight. That is a rule everywhere. The liquor you bring on board is strictly for transporting to your destination.
2) Checked Baggage
You may take bottles in your checked bags. Domestically, per the F.A.A., you’re allowed to fly with up to 5 liters of alcohol (that’s beer, wine, or spirits). So, that’s up to six 750ml bottles within the U.S.. Just be sure to wrap up you bottle in some clothes or a towel (or even some bubble wrap if you have it). If you’re transporting multiple bottles, be sure to have the bottles protected from each other, in addition to protection from the external jolts. Each airline may have additional regulations. So, you should check with them prior to your trip as well. For instance, Southwest Airlines asks you to put the bottle into a leak-proof bag before travel to avoid a mess if the bottle is damaged in transit. Not a bad idea, but a large enough leak-proof bag isn’t always handy….
3) International Travel
When traveling internationally, be aware of the laws within the nation(s) you are traveling. Most western nations will allow you to bring a bottle or two in your checked luggage. For instance, in many middle eastern countries, alcohol can be banned completely. Or did you know there is a 500ml limit for bringing alcohol into Malaysia? I didn’t, but I found out the hard way when I arrived and the 750ml bottle I had packed had been confiscated from my suitcase. So, to be on the safe side before you travel, go ahead and Google “Is it legal to bring alcohol into X country” before you depart.
4) What to know about Duty Free shops
Is Duty Free really a good deal? Not typically. For most items, Duty Free isn’t cheaper than what you can find at your local stores, especially at Sam’s Club or Costco (if you live in a state that allows those stores to sell beer, wine, and spirits). However, Duty Free sure is convenient, being at every international airport and all. And they often carry some unique items that you may not be able to find at home. So, grabbing something at the Duty Free upon arrival in a foreign land can be the right call. For instance, in the U.A.E., while you can get a drink at many hotel bars in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, you really can’t find package liquor at local shops. So, buying a bottle of whisky, wine, or a 12-pack of beer at Duty Free upon arrival might be your best/only chance to do so while you’re in the country.
5) Customs when re-entering the U.S.
On your return flight back to the U.S., you’ll want to again check with your departure country about any limits they may have about traveling with liquor. When entering the U.S., the rules here are a little bit gray. Their limit is for personal consumption only. How much each person can consume can vary a lot, but remember that once you cross into the U.S., you are also then bound by the F.A.A. regulations, which is the 5-liter limit. So, if you keep it under 5 liters, you should be safe. Also note- You only need to worry about customs when you are out of the country traveling home. For domestic travel within the U.S., you do not go through customs and therefore their rules and regulations do not apply.