Can you bring alcohol in your checked luggage international

Recommendation: Place spirits and fortified wines with 24–70% ABV in hold baggage, limited to 5 liters per passenger when packed in unopened retail packaging per U.S. Transportation Security Administration and IATA guidance; beverages under 24% ABV are generally unrestricted by hold-bag restrictions, while liquids above 70% ABV are prohibited from both cabin and hold.

Cabin rules: Carry-on containers remain subject to the 100 ml / 3.4 oz liquids rule unless purchased at duty-free and sealed in a tamper-evident bag with the receipt. On connecting flights, gate agents or the carrier may enforce additional restrictions, so present seals and receipts at transfer points.

Customs allowances differ by destination. Example thresholds commonly quoted: U.S. returning residents often receive a 1-liter informal duty-free exemption (21+), EU member-states typically treat ~1 liter of spirits from outside the bloc as a standard reference point, and some countries allow larger personal-import limits (several liters) before duties apply. Always check the specific country’s customs website for exact taxable allowances and age requirements.

Packing and documentation tips: keep bottles in original, unopened retail packaging or sealed duty-free bags; wrap with padding and place centrally inside the hold bag to reduce breakage risk; retain purchase receipts and declare quantities at arrival if totals exceed personal-exempt thresholds. Verify the carrier’s hazardous-goods policy and the destination’s import prohibitions in advance; some jurisdictions ban alcoholic beverages entirely or restrict certain proofs and types.

Alcohol limits by ABV and volume for cross-border hold baggage

Do not pack spirits above 70% ABV in hold baggage: liquids >70% ABV (140 proof) are prohibited from passenger aircraft and will be refused for carriage.

Liquids between 24% and 70% ABV are permitted in hold baggage only in retail-sealed containers and limited to 5 L per passenger total (aggregate of all bottles). Examples: six 750 mL bottles = 4.5 L (within the 5 L allowance); seven 750 mL bottles = 5.25 L (exceeds the allowance).

Beverages under 24% ABV (typical wine and beer) have no specific IATA volume cap for hold baggage but remain subject to airline weight limits and local import quotas; airlines may still restrict quantities for safety or practical reasons.

Packaging rules: containers must be factory-sealed and unopened; loose decanted bottles are not acceptable for the 24–70% allowance. Labels showing ABV are required for inspection. Items exceeding allowed ABV or volume are treated as dangerous goods and will be confiscated or returned to origin.

Duty-free purchases follow separate customs allowances at arrival – the carriage allowance above does not replace destination import rules. For concrete examples and documentation requirements consult the carrier and destination customs office before departure; keep receipts and retention of original sealed packaging for inspection. For an unrelated reference, see which organelle makes proteins for a cell.

How to verify airline-specific rules for spirits prior to departure

Open the operating carrier’s official policy page and capture the exact paragraph that references spirits, volume caps, packaging, and declaration requirements; save a screenshot and PDF of that page for presentation at check-in.

Step-by-step verification

1. Locate the carrier’s baggage or “restricted items” section (use site search for terms such as “spirits”, “wine”, “liquor”, “duty free”, “dangerous goods”).
2. Record explicit limits listed by ABV and per-container volume, plus any mention of sealed retail packaging or proof-of-purchase documentation.
3. Confirm whether hold baggage allowances and overweight fees apply to bottles; note how bottle weight counts toward the overall allowance.
4. Check policy differences for codeshare flights: the marketing carrier’s rules may differ from the operating carrier’s rules – prioritize the operating carrier’s statement.
5. Search the carrier’s FAQ for transit rules that may require declaration at transfer airports or prohibit items on certain legs.

Quick operational tips

• Contact customer service when policy text is ambiguous; reference booking number and paste the copied paragraph, then request a written confirmation via email.
• When purchasing duty-free, request receipts and keep factory seals intact; many carriers accept sealed retail purchases but reject opened containers.
• For tight connections or multi-segment itineraries, verify rules for each airport involved – arrival-country customs and the airline may enforce different standards.
• Pack bottles in a hard case or sealed pouch to reduce breakage and to show compliance with carrier handling requirements; see best luggage to take to ecuador for recommended cases.
• At gate or check-in, present the saved policy screenshot and purchase receipts if asked; request a supervisor note if staff gives verbal permission contrary to written policy.

Packing tips to prevent breakage, leaks and smell in hold bags

Wrap each bottle in two layers of bubble wrap (minimum 3 mm per layer) and secure with PVC tape; then place the wrapped unit inside a heavy-duty zip-top freezer bag and press out excess air before sealing.

Use purpose-made padded bottle sleeves or inflatable bottle protectors for glass items–one sleeve per bottle. For multiple bottles, use a molded foam insert or a rigid plastic container (5–10 L) with 20–30 mm foam lining to stop lateral movement.

Prevent cap failure by wrapping the neck and cap in a square of plastic wrap, then threading Teflon plumber’s tape around the screw threads before closing. For corked bottles, insert a short length of plastic food wrap between cork and foil, then seal externally with tape.

Double-bagging reduces odor escape: place each sealed zip-top bag into a second bag rated for freezer storage. For highest odor control, vacuum-seal bags or heavy-duty odor-barrier bags (mylar or activated-carbon-lined) maintain a tight seal; add one 20–50 g activated-charcoal sachet per 2–3 L of internal volume.

Absorbent pads inside outer bags catch leaks–use pet training pads or folded paper towels beneath and around bottles. Include 3–5 silica-gel packets or desiccant sachets per container to limit moisture-driven expansion and scent transmission.

Pack bottles upright in the suitcase center when possible; if lying flat is unavoidable, immobilize with rolled garments and place heavy items near the case wheels to minimize impact on the glass. Leave no more than 10–20 mm empty space around each bottle to prevent shock movement.

Hard-shell cases with recessed foam or custom cutouts offer superior protection over soft-sided bags. If using a soft case, reinforce the compartment with a rigid plastic crate or a corrugated wine box and pad with at least 30 mm of soft material on all sides.

Avoid external pockets and top compartments that face heat sources or frequent handling. Keep filled bottles away from zipper lines to reduce the risk of puncture; position sealed containers in the center, surrounded by clothing layers for thermal insulation and cushioning.

If leakage or odor is detected after transit, isolate the affected garment in a sealed bag and launder with an enzyme detergent; for persistent smells, treat fabrics with a 1:4 solution of white vinegar and water, rinse, then air in sunlight. Replace compromised packing materials before reuse.

Customs declarations, duty allowances and paying taxes on imported spirits and wine

Declare all spirits and wine that exceed the destination’s duty‑free allowance at the border; undeclared quantities often lead to seizure, fines and assessment of duties plus local taxes.

Typical duty‑free allowances (examples for arrivals from non‑domestic sources)

How duties and taxes are applied, and practical steps

Calculation normally includes excise duty (often charged per litre of pure ethanol or per litre of product), import duty (if any), plus VAT/GST applied to the goods’ value plus duties. Customs may use listed tariff rates or assess based on declared value; handwritten value without receipts can trigger reassessment.

At arrival: use the designated “goods to declare” counter or follow the station indicated for declarations, present receipts and the bottles for inspection, declare volume and ABV when requested, retain customs receipts after payment. Payment options vary by port: cash, card or online payment; small airports sometimes accept cash only.

For high‑value or commercial quantities, engage a customs broker or ship via a courier that offers duties‑paid delivery; requests for duty relief for gifts are rarely accepted. If sending purchases ahead, select DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) service to avoid surprises at destination.

Consequences for non‑compliance include seizure, fines proportional to undeclared value/volume, and possible criminal charges for large undeclared imports. Keep documentation for purchases, know the local age limit (commonly 18 or 21), and check the specific country’s customs website before travel for the most up‑to‑date tariff tables and payment procedures.

Transporting duty-free bottles: sealed bags, receipts and connecting flights

Keep duty-free bottles sealed inside the retailer-issued tamper-evident bag (STEB) with the original receipt completely visible and boarding passes accessible for each flight segment.

At transfer security checkpoints

Present STEB and receipt at every re-screening point; security officers routinely accept sealed STEBs as exempt from the 100‑ml carry-on limit when the bag, receipt and boarding passes match the current itinerary. If a checkpoint requests proof of onward travel, present the next boarding pass or an electronic ticket on a mobile device.

If the STEB is opened, contents are treated as ordinary liquids and are likely to be confiscated during hand-bag screening unless moved into hold baggage before screening; keep the bag sealed until arrival at final destination to avoid loss.

Connections that force exit from the sterile area or long layovers

When a transfer requires passing through passport control or exiting the secure zone (common on inter-terminal transfers or when switching airlines without airside transfer), place duty-free bottles into hold baggage at the first check-in or use an airline/airport service to tag them for transfer into hold. If detention of the item at transfer is anticipated, request the retailer to print a detailed receipt with date, time, flight number and final destination; this improves chances of re-entry through security or recovery at point of check-in.

For long layovers or multi-day gaps, consider duty-free shipping or asking the retailer about resealing/repacking options; many airports will advise whether the STEB remains valid beyond 24–48 hours, so keep receipts and any retailer notes documenting purchase time and security sealing.

High-proof spirits and items commonly prohibited from hold baggage

Do not place spirits above 70% ABV in the aircraft hold; most carriers and global air-safety rules prohibit transport of beverages over that threshold because of extreme flammability and increased cargo-fire risk.

Common high-proof examples that are routinely refused: Everclear 95% (190 proof), Everclear 75.5%/151-proof variants, overproof rums (75–80% ABV), rectified spirits and undenatured ethanol, high‑strength absinthe concentrates, and homemade distillates with unknown strength or contaminants.

Other items frequently banned from the aircraft hold include: aerosol cans with flammable propellants (spray paint, some deodorants), lighter refills and butane/propane cartridges, camping fuels (white gas, Coleman fuel), petrol/diesel containers, paint thinners and solvents (acetone, methanol, MEK), oxidizers and strong peroxides, compressed gas cylinders (oxygen, CO2 cartridges when not approved), fireworks and other pyrotechnics, and spare lithium‑ion battery packs (these generally must travel in the cabin).

If a high‑risk product is found at drop‑off or during security screening it will be seized and may be destroyed; carriers can refuse carriage and civil penalties apply in many jurisdictions. Practical alternatives: ship via ground freight with a hazardous‑goods forwarder, purchase the product at destination, or buy a commercially sealed, airline‑approved product with documentation from a licensed retailer and confirm acceptance with the carrier’s dangerous‑goods desk before travel.