Bringing wine but have a layover - carry or pack?
Jul 2nd, 2006, 06:20 AM
#1
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Bringing wine but have a layover - carry or pack?
After all the anticipation, the trip is almost here! We're mainly staying with friends who moved back to Ireland in January. One wants some bottles of her favorite wine. Two of us are adults, but we have a 5 hour layover in Boston and want to leave the airport for meal and walking around a bit, not carrying heavy bags. We're being really good (trying) to keep the luggage to 3 medium pieces for 4 of us for 3 weeks. With other gifts, I'm a little concerned about room and breakage. Suggestions? Is there a way to bring a case and check it as luggage? Thanks!
Jul 2nd, 2006, 07:13 AM
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Are you planning on eating in the North End (Italian part of Boston)? That is very near to the airport and there are quite a few liquor stores in the vicinity. If you know the name and year of the wine your friend wants, you could call the stores and put them on hold for the day of your flight. Go in and eat, pick up the wine, and head back to the airport. That would cut down on weight coming from home and you might be able to get the stores to package it for you.
Here is the info for the places I know of in that area. I have shopped Martignetti many times.
Hanover Liquors
363 Hanover Street - Boston, MA
617-723-3663
Martignetti Grocery Co
84 Salem Street - Boston, MA
617-523-8888
Waterfront Beer & Wine Co
395 Commercial Street - Boston, MA
617-523-4055
Here is the info for the places I know of in that area. I have shopped Martignetti many times.
Hanover Liquors
363 Hanover Street - Boston, MA
617-723-3663
Martignetti Grocery Co
84 Salem Street - Boston, MA
617-523-8888
Waterfront Beer & Wine Co
395 Commercial Street - Boston, MA
617-523-4055
Jul 2nd, 2006, 07:33 AM
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janey47
The two of you will be allowed to bring in 2 litres of wine duty-free, for each of you. A "case" checked in will be opened, and inspected. The styofoam cartons, mentioned above, are a good solution. Many high-end wine shops will have them in the back of their store. If you buy the wine from them, and state your problem, they will help you. Remember, that box MUST be opened by customs. Duty charges can be high on alcohol. I take my alcohol into Ireland as a carry on.
The two of you will be allowed to bring in 2 litres of wine duty-free, for each of you. A "case" checked in will be opened, and inspected. The styofoam cartons, mentioned above, are a good solution. Many high-end wine shops will have them in the back of their store. If you buy the wine from them, and state your problem, they will help you. Remember, that box MUST be opened by customs. Duty charges can be high on alcohol. I take my alcohol into Ireland as a carry on.
Jul 2nd, 2006, 07:43 AM
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The chances of getting stopped and searched and/or having your cartons opened by the Irish Customs agents are slim to none!!!
The duty on spirits is pretty high, but the duty on still wines, especially as little as you will be bringing in, even under the slim changes you are stopped, is minimal. I wouldn't lose any sleep over it.
Bring your buddy some wine!!
The duty on spirits is pretty high, but the duty on still wines, especially as little as you will be bringing in, even under the slim changes you are stopped, is minimal. I wouldn't lose any sleep over it.
Bring your buddy some wine!!
Jul 2nd, 2006, 08:02 AM
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Thank you so much for your prompt replies. It actually is a local CA wine sold here. If I check a case as luggage, and mark it fragile etc, don't I have to declare it in Ireland and isn't that a red flag? Do you have any idea what the duty might be? Sorry - I've never brought alcohol anywhere before. My friend - and her mom - really want this. I feel we have to bring at least 2 bottles. Has anyone packed wine in their suitcase?
Jul 2nd, 2006, 08:25 AM
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Hi J,
>Has anyone packed wine in their suitcase?
Yes, but only on the way back. Suitcases are not treated as fragile items.
The two of you are allowed to bring in 4 L of still wine - that's 5 bottles - duty free.
The duty on still wine is only about 3E/L.
>Has anyone packed wine in their suitcase?
Yes, but only on the way back. Suitcases are not treated as fragile items.
The two of you are allowed to bring in 4 L of still wine - that's 5 bottles - duty free.
The duty on still wine is only about 3E/L.
Jul 2nd, 2006, 09:43 AM
#8
I would definitely check the wine. It's just too heavy to deal with in carry-on, especially with the layover your describe. Whether checking a case just for the wine, or adding another small suitcase for your gifts including well-cushioned wine bottles.
Jul 2nd, 2006, 09:43 AM
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No one is going to stop you for a case of wine. I've been to Ireland 3 times and don't ever remember filling out a customs form -- immigration form, yes, customs form - no.
It's not worth the time/paperwork to stop you and charge you customs for 1 case of wine. They are looking for the "big" stuff, drugs, contraband, and the like.
I've carried wine in my checked baggage from the Sonoma to NJ (2 cases), and from Italy to NJ.
Like ira says, the duty, if they decide to stop and charge you, would be about $20. Don't worry, be happy, and have a nice trip.
It's not worth the time/paperwork to stop you and charge you customs for 1 case of wine. They are looking for the "big" stuff, drugs, contraband, and the like.
I've carried wine in my checked baggage from the Sonoma to NJ (2 cases), and from Italy to NJ.
Like ira says, the duty, if they decide to stop and charge you, would be about $20. Don't worry, be happy, and have a nice trip.
Jul 2nd, 2006, 09:50 AM
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suze, we obviously posted at the same time.
I have been known to carry 12-14 bottles of wine in bubble wrap in a small roller that I put in the overhead bin. Check out your airline's carry-on weight limit.
I have been known to carry 12-14 bottles of wine in bubble wrap in a small roller that I put in the overhead bin. Check out your airline's carry-on weight limit.
Jul 2nd, 2006, 10:21 AM
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Well, it's another case either way. AA website says 40lb weight limit for carry on. My 20 inch roller is about 8 lbs. I think I'll buy a smaller, lighter one. Still would rather check it - Suze, do you think I could pad the wine well enough in a regular suitcase? Thanks everyone - all good ideas!
Jul 2nd, 2006, 10:43 AM
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Hi J,
>do you think I could pad the wine well enough in a regular suitcase?<
Maybe.
Use a lot of bubble wrap and a hard-sided case.
If it is really that important that you bring more than 2-3 bottles, tell your friend that you will have to buy a styrofaoam packing container and that said friend will have to pay for it.
See how important the wine is to friend.
>do you think I could pad the wine well enough in a regular suitcase?<
Maybe.
Use a lot of bubble wrap and a hard-sided case.
If it is really that important that you bring more than 2-3 bottles, tell your friend that you will have to buy a styrofaoam packing container and that said friend will have to pay for it.
See how important the wine is to friend.
Jul 2nd, 2006, 12:29 PM
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Don't pack wine in a suitcase with your clothing. My friend did it. The bottle was well wrapped and well cushioned, but it broke anyway and her clothing was all wet
and stained with red wine.
Fortunately it happened on her return flight. Outbound would really be a disaster!
and stained with red wine.
Fortunately it happened on her return flight. Outbound would really be a disaster!
Jul 2nd, 2006, 07:36 PM
#14
Well if it weren't for the layover you describe, and were only a few bottles, I'd say carry it on.
If you do check it, yes I think you can pack it well enough. But I agree with the post above NOT in the same suitcase as your clothes!
I'd use a hard side suitcase, put the individual bottles in large ziplock bags, roll in old towels or bubble wrap, and hope for the best.
If you do check it, yes I think you can pack it well enough. But I agree with the post above NOT in the same suitcase as your clothes!
I'd use a hard side suitcase, put the individual bottles in large ziplock bags, roll in old towels or bubble wrap, and hope for the best.
Jul 3rd, 2006, 05:33 AM
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Unless I can get styrofoam packers fast we'll just have to take a small suitcase on wheels as carry on and put several bottles in that. If it wasn't for the layover it wouldn't have been an issue. But this is my dearest friend who is putting us up so we'll just wheel it to go to eat and walk a bit in Boston. Could be worse!
Jul 3rd, 2006, 07:41 AM
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Quick question - are you sure the allowance is 2 litres per person form importing into Ireland? i thoought it was much more permissive. Did a quick Google and the following site http://www.revenue.ie/faqs/faq_cat5.htm
seems to indicate that you can import far more assumingf it is for personal consumption
seems to indicate that you can import far more assumingf it is for personal consumption
Jul 3rd, 2006, 08:09 AM
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"are you sure the allowance is 2 litres per person form importing into Ireland?"
Yes.
I can't see where in the Irish Customs FAQ you're getting a different impression. And even if Irish Customs said there was a higher allowance, they'd be wrong. This is not an issue on which the Irish are allowed to make their own law.
Yes.
I can't see where in the Irish Customs FAQ you're getting a different impression. And even if Irish Customs said there was a higher allowance, they'd be wrong. This is not an issue on which the Irish are allowed to make their own law.
Jul 3rd, 2006, 08:11 AM
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To be more specific:
2 litres is the maximum you can import tax free. There is of course no limit to how much you can import. You just have to pay import duty, excise duty and VAT on the amount over 2 lit. The numvers above underestimate all this a bit, but not a lot.
2 litres is the maximum you can import tax free. There is of course no limit to how much you can import. You just have to pay import duty, excise duty and VAT on the amount over 2 lit. The numvers above underestimate all this a bit, but not a lot.
Jul 3rd, 2006, 08:19 AM
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"AA website says 40lb weight limit for carry on." FWIW, we flew AA to Ireland in March and took all but one piece of our luggage as carry on (this was for four people). We were never questioned about either the size or weight of our carry on.
