Hi there, it's Ernest from Trip Astute. In this video, we're exploring a common
question, especially for those of you traveling back from Europe ... How to
transport wine and beer in your luggage?
(light chiming music)
I've struggled with the idea of transporting alcohol from my travel
destination. While it seems intuitive to me that I would transport them via
carry-on rather than my checked-in bag, you really don't have a choice.
Security protocols for most international flights in the US require
that you transport liquids via checked-in luggage. So, suppose you're visiting
France, Italy, or Germany, and you pick up a few bottles of wine or beer. What's the
best way to transport it back in your suitcase?
Well, the most efficient way would be to use your clothing to minimize the impacts
and vibrations. Most travel experts advise putting your bottle in a sealed
bag, then placing them in a pair of socks. Then, wrap the bottles with the thickest
clothing that you have in your suitcase. When placing the bottles and cans inside
your suitcase or bag, you want to create as much buffer as possible from the
sides of the suitcase. Basically, you want to avoid having the bottles or cans from
touching the edge of your bag. You want to use your clothes and shoes to create
layers on all sides, then place the bottles and cans toward the middle. I
suggest staggering the bottles and also making sure that there's enough material
so the bottles and cans don't touch one another. You want to pay special
attention to the neck of the bottles too, as it's definitely the most likely
spot to break while transporting. Also, keep in mind that while these packing
tips apply to any type of bottled or canned beverage, there are specific limits
defined by the government. Here in the US, Customs will allow you to bring in an
unlimited amount of wine as long as it's under 24 percent alcohol by volume. And
according to the rules, only one liter of the wine that you import is duty-free.
Anything above the liter is subject to a three percent tax. While it's not much
of a fee, and to be honest, it seems to be rarely enforced, it's something to keep
in mind if you're planning to transport wine. Also, transporting liquor
is a whole other issue and topic. I won't get into the details, but just know
that the United States TSA prohibits any air travel with liquor that's over 140
proof. So, getting back to beer and wine, here's some additional tips to keep in
mind. Number one: Use wine skins and bottle protectors. There are several
inexpensive products that are geared to help travelers transport wine bottles.
While you can use a normal plastic bag, these specialized pouches often provide
extra cushioning, as well as absorbent padding and sealing to protect the
contents of your bag from any potential leaks. They're fairly inexpensive and
some are even reusable. Number two: Keep a copy of the rules with you. Every once in
a while, you may encounter an airline or airport employee who hassles you about
checking in your beverages. Having a copy of the TSA and airline rules with you
can help in case you encounter any problems during the check-in process.
I'll include a link to the TSA guidelines in the video description
below. In addition, if you're traveling internationally, you may want to do a
quick google search on your departure country's rules before your trip just to
be safe. Some countries may restrict the amount
of wine or beer that can travel out of the country, or impose special fees.
Number three: Consider shipping your alcohol instead. If you're traveling domestically,
it might be easier to have your alcohol shipped to you directly so you don't
have to worry about packing it. However, if you're traveling internationally, it's
usually cheaper to transport your wine or beer via your luggage, even if you
have to pay additional baggage or custom fees. This is because by using your
luggage, you can usually avoid the value-added tax imposed during shipping,
also known as VAT. Number four: Consider bottles instead of cans. While cans may
seem more durable since aluminum is more malleable, they
are actually more prone to bursting if compressed. This is especially true if
your luggage gets stuck under a bunch of other heavy suitcases.
So, if given the choice, you're probably better off transporting bottles instead
of cans. Number five: Use a hard suitcase. A hard suitcase is a much better choice if
you're planning to transport alcohol. In general, hard suitcases should protect
the contents of your bag more effectively, and may reduce the
additional compression from being stacked under other bags. It's not a
requirement, but if you have the option, I would opt for a hard suitcase if you're
planning to transport your beverages. Number six: Carry a collapsible duffel
bag. A small collapsible duffel bag can easily save the day if you happen to
stuff your bag with alcohol and you run out of space for all your clothes and
personal items. Rather than over stuffing your suitcase, you're better off having
the extra luggage space if needed. Number seven: Buy a wine suitcase. If
you're a wine enthusiast or someone who buys a lot of wine while traveling, then
your best bet is to buy a dedicated bag for this purpose. There are plenty of
options out there, and most are fairly pricey, but if you're buying expensive
bottles of wine, then this is by far the safest option for transport. Have you
ever checked in wine or beer in your suitcase? If so, did it survive the flight?
Let us know in a comment section below. We've included Amazon links to some of
the products mentioned in this video. As always, Trip Astute does get a percentage
if you use our link. It doesn't cost you anything extra, but it helps us to
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Milestone Giveaway" on our website. Until next time, travel safe and travel smart.