Can you have canned drinks in checked luggage

Airport security permits liquids in cabin only in containers ≤100 ml (3.4 fl oz) inside a single clear ~1‑quart bag; larger volumes must travel in checked/stowed pieces or be purchased past the security checkpoint. Alcohol rules for stowed baggage follow international guidance: ≤24% ABV generally unrestricted for transport, 24–70% ABV limited to 5 L (1.3 gal) per passenger in unopened retail packaging, and >70% ABV prohibited from both cabin and hold. Airline policies and destination customs can impose stricter limits–verify before departure.

Pressure and temperature changes during ascent, descent and ground handling create an internal/external differential roughly equivalent to 6,000–8,000 ft (~0.75 atm), which can deform or vent sealed metal containers. For carbonated or pressurised items, expect increased burst risk when ambient temperature varies by ±10–20 °C; fragile packaging or thin-seam cans are most vulnerable.

Practical packing steps: place each container in a sealed plastic bag, pad with clothing, surround by soft items, and keep away from case edges. For multiple units use a hard-sided case or a secondary rigid box, label the parcel as fragile, and consider shipping via courier for bulk quantities. Declare taxable alcohol at arrival points to avoid fines and confirm any airline-specific prohibitions before travel.

Confirm carrier and national regulations for sealed beverage containers in hold baggage

Verify carrier and destination rules before placing sealed aluminum or metal beverage containers into hold baggage.

1. Consult the airline’s baggage & dangerous-goods pages: search for “alcohol restrictions”, “pressurized containers”, “aerosols” and “prohibited items”. Record allowable volume per passenger and any packaging requirements.
2. Check international standards: IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations specify alcoholic beverages
   • below 24% ABV – generally not limited by DGR;
   • 24%–70% ABV – limited to 5 liters per passenger in retail packaging;
   • over 70% ABV – forbidden in passenger baggage.
3. Verify departure, transit and arrival country rules:
   • customs allowances for alcohol (volume and ABV) differ by country;
   • agricultural inspections may prohibit certain liquid foods or specialty beverages;
   • some airports or states prohibit pressurized carbonated containers in hold.
4. Contact the carrier if any of these details are unclear. Provide brand, volume per unit, total quantity, ABV and packaging type; request written confirmation when possible.
5. Duty-free purchases: confirm whether goods purchased airside are allowed in hold for onward flights and whether additional declaration is required at arrival.

Packing and compliance pointers:

• Keep alcohol between 24%–70% ABV in original, sealed retail packaging to comply with many carriers.
• Wrap each container in absorbent material, double-seal in sturdy plastic bags and place inside a hard-sided suitcase or protective box at the suitcase center to reduce rupture risk from pressure and temperature shifts.
• Aerosol-type or highly carbonated products may be treated as hazardous; if permitted, limit quantity and follow airline-specific instructions.

Consequences of noncompliance: seizure of items, fines, denied boarding or return of the item to check-in desk. When in doubt, choose transport alternatives (ship via regulated courier or purchase at destination).

Prevent metal-container bursts: packing methods for pressure and temperature changes

Place each pressurized beverage inside a rigid secondary container (PET bottle or hard plastic jar) with 10–20% headspace, double-bag in heavy-duty zip-top sacks, then surround with at least 2 in (5 cm) of soft padding and locate in the suitcase center away from edges and zippers.

Packing checklist

– Transfer to shatter-resistant bottles when possible; fill to no more than 80–90% capacity to allow thermal expansion.

– Use two layers of waterproof bags; include an absorbent pad between layers to trap leaks.

– Wrap each bottle in 2–3 layers of bubble wrap or a 1/4 in (6 mm) closed-cell foam sleeve, then compress into a hard-sided case.

– Cushion with clothing on all sides and lock the protective assembly in the suitcase core; avoid pockets adjacent to the exterior shell.

Pressure and temperature guidance

– Anticipate cabin-pressure equivalence near 6,000–8,000 ft; internal container pressure rises when liquids warm and falls when cooled. Allowing 10–20% headspace reduces burst risk during a 10–20 °C temperature swing.

– Avoid fully filled metal-sealed containers when transit includes exposure to subzero temps: water expands ≈9% when frozen, creating rupture risk.

– Rapid temperature changes increase internal pressure; use an insulated sleeve or place between dense clothing layers to dampen thermal shock during loading/unloading.

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Stop leaks: wrapping, cushioning and placement strategies for sealed beverage containers

Immediate recommendation: place each metal beverage container into a 1-gallon (3.8 L) freezer bag rated ≥4 mil, add an absorbent pad, seal, then set the sealed bundle inside a rigid plastic box cushioned with clothing at the center of a hard-shell suitcase.

Wrap: use triple protection: inner food-grade zip-top (1-gal / 3.8 L, ≥4 mil), a disposable absorbent pad (12 x 10 in / 30 x 25 cm) folded once, and an outer heavy-duty resealable bag or heat-seal sleeve. Remove excess air before sealing to limit slosh; seal edges with 2 in (5 cm) cloth tape when seams are exposed.

Packing layer: wrap the sealed bundle in 2–3 layers of small-bubble bubble wrap (3–6 mm bubbles) or a 6 mm closed-cell foam sleeve. Secure with non-abrasive tape. For opened-top containers or removable lids, add a layer of food-grade plastic wrap over the cap before bagging.

Cushioning strategy: place the boxed bundles upright in the suitcase core, surrounded on all sides by soft items – sweaters, towels or foam inserts – leaving at least 2 in (5 cm) clearance from outer shell, seams and zippers. Hard-sided cases reduce flex; soft-sided cases require a rigid internal tray or a hard plastic storage tub sized to the number of units.

Placement rules for multiple units: keep all units together in one sealed box to localize any leak. Separate rows with thin foam dividers (10 mm closed-cell) and alternate orientation (head-to-tail) to reduce impact forces. Place an absorbent layer across the entire bottom of the case (one or two folded towels or a disposable pad) to capture any spill.

Damage mitigation: inspect containers for dents before packing; discard bulging or heavily dented items. For long trips, add a soft pressure-relief layer (rolled clothing) above the box to prevent lid flex from luggage stacking. Label the suitcase exterior with a small “fragile” sticker and note the internal box position on a quick-access checklist.

Minimal kit checklist: 1-gallon freezer bags (≥4 mil), disposable absorbent pads (12 x 10 in), small-bubble bubble wrap (3–6 mm), 10 mm closed-cell foam sheets, 1 rigid plastic box per group, cloth tape, permanent marker.

Alcohol content, quantity limits and customs declaration for metal-sealed beverages

Exclude sealed metal containers above 70% ABV from hold baggage – these are prohibited by aviation safety rules and will be refused for carriage.

Transport limits and packaging requirements

Alcohol strength categories and typical air-transport rules: liquids >70% ABV: forbidden in both cabin and hold; 24%–70% ABV: generally limited to 5 litres per passenger in hold baggage when in unopened retail packaging; ≤24% ABV: no specific volume limit imposed by major carriers, though overall baggage weight and local rules apply. All items in the 24%–70% band must remain in original, sealed retail containers to qualify for the 5 L allowance.

Labeling and proof: manufacturers’ ABV marking is used by carriers and security personnel to determine admissibility. Packing to the manufacturer’s original closure and keeping purchase receipts reduces the chance of refusal during screening.

Customs declaration, duty-free examples and enforcement

Declare amounts that exceed a destination’s duty-free thresholds. Common examples (subject to change and dependent on point of entry): European Union arrivals from non-EU territories – typical personal exemptions include 1 L spirits (>22% ABV) or 2 L fortified wine, 4 L still wine, 16 L beer; United States – a typical informal duty-free allowance is 1 L per adult (21+); amounts beyond these levels generally attract duty, taxes and possible seizure. Carry receipts, retain original packaging and complete arrival declaration forms when required.

Consequences for non-declaration: assessment of duties and taxes, confiscation, fines or delays at border control. Age verification applies at many borders; shipment by post or courier is often subject to stricter import licensing.

Practical recommendations: consolidate purchases into original retail cartons, itemize alcohol on any customs form, present invoices when requested, and limit high-ABV items to amounts within the 24%–70% per-passenger ceiling. For unrelated equipment guidance that may help with heavy-case handling or outdoor prep, see best pressure washer for paving stones.