Can you bring wine from duty free shop at Jberg airport to New York on the South African Flights?
Feb 7th, 2008, 07:57 PM
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Can you bring wine from duty free shop at Jberg airport to New York on the South African Flights?
I heard that SAA will not let you bring wine on board the plane to NY even though you purchase it from the duty free shop at the Jberg airport. Is this true? Do you really have to check the wine in? Thanks
Feb 8th, 2008, 09:19 AM
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I can't remember the J'Burg airport, but I know in Santiago, Chile - the duty free shops are before you go through security, and you cannot take liquids that big through security in carry-on luggage. Check and see where the duty-free shops are in J'Burg... Also, in all the other airports (and I think it's the same in South Africa) if the Duty free is AFTER security, they will deliver the wine in sealed bags to the flight and that should be okay. Now, if you're connecting in New York to another destination, you won't be able to carry it on to the next leg of your flight - so I recommend that if you buy any wine (and it is wonderful there, isn't it....) you get it packed in your checked luggage....
Feb 8th, 2008, 09:46 AM
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On my flight on SAA from JNB-Dulles last September that was NOT true. I asked at the JNB duty free shop (post-security) and was told the same thing you were - that I would not be able to bring bottles purched on my flight to the U.S. - and assumed that there would be another security screening at the gate at which point liquids would confiscated. But, though there was a gate screening of sorts (ordering passengers out of the non-cordoned off waiting area, and hand checking bags as they let us back in) liquids were not a problem. The man in front of me had about 4 bottles he'd bought at duty free and he was not stopped. So, unless something's changed in the last few months, you should be fine.
Keep in mind that if you are transiting to another flight when you get to NYC it will be confiscated when you go through security again there.
Keep in mind that if you are transiting to another flight when you get to NYC it will be confiscated when you go through security again there.
Feb 8th, 2008, 10:59 AM
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I flew back in September to the UK from JNB and we were allowed to bring back liquids purchased duty free.
As hlg22 says, the issue is if you have to change planes prior to your final destination.
Just ask in the duty free shop or ask your airline if you are concerned.
As hlg22 says, the issue is if you have to change planes prior to your final destination.
Just ask in the duty free shop or ask your airline if you are concerned.
Feb 8th, 2008, 11:47 AM
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As above, if transiting once back in the US, this will be a problem.
However, I believe the rules entering JFK might be different than other point of entry airports. Example: a friend returning from the Caribbean could bring alcohol on flight if going into Miami or LaGuardia (another NYC airport), but NOT if flying into JFK!
Best get the answer from TSA.
However, I believe the rules entering JFK might be different than other point of entry airports. Example: a friend returning from the Caribbean could bring alcohol on flight if going into Miami or LaGuardia (another NYC airport), but NOT if flying into JFK!
Best get the answer from TSA.
Mar 8th, 2008, 06:43 AM
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Yes my question is specifically about flying into JFK. I heard from a friend (but he flew a few years ago to JFK) that he had his wine confiscated after buying in Jberg's duty free shop because he was flying with it to JFK. Was wondering if this is still true.
Mar 8th, 2008, 07:47 AM
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Sandi,
I couldn't find anything on the TSA site that mentioned any alcohol restrictions into JFK. I also looked on the Delta site (JFK is one of their hubs) and couldn't find anything.
Are you sure it wasn't some other reason having to do with liquid restrictions? Was the alcohol in a sealed bag? Had the sealed bag been opened by the passenger? Was it confiscated at the boarding gate at SXM or somewhere else?
I couldn't find anything on the TSA site that mentioned any alcohol restrictions into JFK. I also looked on the Delta site (JFK is one of their hubs) and couldn't find anything.
Are you sure it wasn't some other reason having to do with liquid restrictions? Was the alcohol in a sealed bag? Had the sealed bag been opened by the passenger? Was it confiscated at the boarding gate at SXM or somewhere else?
Mar 8th, 2008, 10:31 AM
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Patty -
Best I know is that the friend had been bringing in 1/case each of Absolute and assorted wines, for years. They had always taken these as carryon and planned to do so this past Dec. Thankfully friends of theirs who had returned 2/weeks earlier advised of their own problem, so they checked at their "favorite" wine shop in St. Maarten. Sure enough, learned their purchases would have to be shipped as another checked bag. It wouldn't matter if it was 1 or 2 bottles or a case as they wished to do. Appears this was only for flights into JFK. If they had been flying into LGA, they could have taken these as carryon.
So much for the bargain of $6/bottle for the Absolute that costs between $25-$32/bottle here in NYC. Though my friend mentioned the price did go up... now cost $8/bottle.
boo-hoo-hoo!
Beats me why it was okay as carryon into certain airports and not others. But I would sure be pi$$ed to have whatever confiscated on arrival.
Besides, most SA wines are so reasonably priced in NYC, I wouldn't chance it.
Best I know is that the friend had been bringing in 1/case each of Absolute and assorted wines, for years. They had always taken these as carryon and planned to do so this past Dec. Thankfully friends of theirs who had returned 2/weeks earlier advised of their own problem, so they checked at their "favorite" wine shop in St. Maarten. Sure enough, learned their purchases would have to be shipped as another checked bag. It wouldn't matter if it was 1 or 2 bottles or a case as they wished to do. Appears this was only for flights into JFK. If they had been flying into LGA, they could have taken these as carryon.
So much for the bargain of $6/bottle for the Absolute that costs between $25-$32/bottle here in NYC. Though my friend mentioned the price did go up... now cost $8/bottle.
boo-hoo-hoo! Beats me why it was okay as carryon into certain airports and not others. But I would sure be pi$$ed to have whatever confiscated on arrival.
Besides, most SA wines are so reasonably priced in NYC, I wouldn't chance it.
