Bringing Argentine Wine to the US on a Plane?

[Fooze]

I've seen some conflicting information in different places about how easy/difficult it is to bring bottles of wine on a plane. Has anyone gone to the US recently and brought wine, or perhaps any other alcohol, and knows what the rules are?

 

[FrankPintor]

If you go to a vineyard they will generally ship it for you.

 

[steveinbsas]

"Travelers who are 21 or older can bring up to one liter of alcohol into the United States duty-free. However, the amount of alcohol that can be brought in depends on the state where the traveler is arriving.
Who can bring alcohol into the US?
Travelers who are 21 or older can bring alcohol into the US
Travelers coming from the US Virgin Islands or other Caribbean countries may be entitled to more alcohol
What are the taxes and fees?
Additional quantities of alcohol are subject to duty and IRS taxes
Duty is generally 3% of the value
The IRS excise tax is generally between 21-31 cents per 750ml bottle of wine, 67 cents/champagne, and $2.14/ hard liquor
What are the other restrictions?
Alcohol cannot be shipped by mail to the US
Alcohol cannot be brought in if it violates the laws of the state where the traveler is arriving
Alcohol cannot be brought in if it is intended for sale
Alcohol cannot be brought in if it is in a carry-on or checked bag that is over 140 proof
How can I find out more?
You can check with the Alcohol Beverage Control Board of the state where you are arriving
You can contact the CBP entry branch of the port of entry where your shipment will be entering the country."

PS: I found this ai generated answer in a Google search of "How much wine can I bring on a plane to the US."

 

[devilclam]

I've taken wine/liquor in my checked luggage to and from the states with no issues several times. I did get a talking to one time when I brought 3 bottles of duty free mezcal from Mexico into the states, but the migrations officer let me in with them.

I bought this thing called jet bag on Amazon (US) that absorbs fluid in case the bottle breaks just for peace of mind.

 

[wineguy999]

I have brought as much as a case in from various countries over many years. Never had an issue - with wine.

 

[Silvie]

I don't know where you travel in the USA but I used to be able to buy and chose from a wide selection of Argentine wines at a liquor store in New York and they also used to have lots of wines from other countries.

 

[malandro]

I've been regularly bringing back to US wine and spirits for 30 years. The 'secret' if you will, when you peel back all the details is this: there is no limit, basically, on taking alcohol back with you on the plane. It must go as checked baggage. Prepare to wrap it well. When you return to the US, you'll notice, it asks if you have any food with you. It does not ask if you have alcohol. I basically never mention it because the Feds have never, ever asked me about the distinction between "food" and "alcohol". If they do ask about wine or spirits and you have a case or two with you, they have to go through this ridiculous procedure to charge you maximum 2USD a bottle. And guess what? They don't want to bother with such a trivial, complex problem for 2USD a bottle. So they just pass you. In all these years I've never been asked to pay a dime.
Liquor importation, limits etc. are a state not federal matter. I've never seen a representative of a state at border control. Since the port of entry is a federal installation, state representatives may not even be allowed to be physically present. But I assure you no federal officer is going to make you wait while they call the state capital and try and get a representative down to the airport.
If there happens to be a state limit on importation, enforcement will be complicated because, again there's no state official at the airport and feds haven't a clue what state limits are and if they did they have no way of enforcing it since they aren't state officers. They have serious issues like people with guns and explosives and drugs and illegal foods like beef (why beef? who knows). So what are they going to do? They're going to say welcome back to the US and have a nice day.

 

[daveholman]

I've been regularly bringing back to US wine and spirits for 30 years. The 'secret' if you will, when you peel back all the details is this: there is no limit, basically, on taking alcohol back with you on the plane. It must go as checked baggage. Prepare to wrap it well. When you return to the US, you'll notice, it asks if you have any food with you. It does not ask if you have alcohol. I basically never mention it because the Feds have never, ever asked me about the distinction between "food" and "alcohol". If they do ask about wine or spirits and you have a case or two with you, they have to go through this ridiculous procedure to charge you maximum 2USD a bottle. And guess what? They don't want to bother with such a trivial, complex problem for 2USD a bottle. So they just pass you. In all these years I've never been asked to pay a dime.
Liquor importation, limits etc. are a state not federal matter. I've never seen a representative of a state at border control. Since the port of entry is a federal installation, state representatives may not even be allowed to be physically present. But I assure you no federal officer is going to make you wait while they call the state capital and try and get a representative down to the airport.
If there happens to be a state limit on importation, enforcement will be complicated because, again there's no state official at the airport and feds haven't a clue what state limits are and if they did they have no way of enforcing it since they aren't state officers. They have serious issues like people with guns and explosives and drugs and illegal foods like beef (why beef? who knows). So what are they going to do? They're going to say welcome back to the US and have a nice day.

One time, in probably 100 crossings, I had to pay the duty on excess alcohol. Got "caught" with 6 bottles at the Tijuana border. I think it was $5 I had to pay.

 

[wineguy999]

Liquor importation, limits etc. are a state not federal matter. I've never seen a representative of a state at border control. Since the port of entry is a federal installation, state representatives may not even be allowed to be physically present. But I assure you no federal officer is going to make you wait while they call the state capital and try and get a representative down to the airport.

I would suggest reading up on the TTB.

 

[rl45]

I recently went back to visit my family for Christmas. I brought three bottle of wine and a bottle of dulce de leche liquor. I put them in my checked luggage. There was no issue. I have gone back with as much as 8 bottle of wine (four in each bag) and not had a problem in my checked luggage. Just be sure to wrap it up well and make sure the bag is not over the weight limit and you should be fine.