Check-In Safe wine boxes - any shop in Barceloan that provides it?

This is inexpensive and works well:
http://www.iwawine.com/orstore/ShowItem.aspx?productID=WB401-005

I have been using for years with no breakage issues

We buy our wine packing boxes at the post office-Correos. They have boxes for 1 or for 3 bottles. They cost €2.55 and 4.65.
They've yet to come out with a 6 bottle box.

CherryBomb,

Are you saying that you have checked this onto the plane and it arrives safely? The website doesn't talk about that use, so I just want to be sure. Do you put in any extra padding? Thanks.

I have been using it twice a year for the past 4 years now (all European flights) and just convinced my parents to try it on their trip to Sonoma - they made it through with no breakage either. It is padded, both the exteriors and each bottle compartment. I shrinkwrap it at the airport to get it even tighter and more secure (though my parents did not) and tag it with "FRAGILE - GLASS" tags. You can usually get them at a wine store that does shipping, though I just make my own with paper and a sharpie. You tape on the fragile tags after shrinkwrapping, obviously. I tape the tags at the airline counter and point it out to the person checking the bags at the airline counter. The wine fits pretty snug in there so it packs quite well. I will also sometimes wrap a piece of cardboard around the base to protect it further, but your call, I have been fine either way. 12 bottles = approx. 42 lbs, so you will come in under the allowance for weight. My parents did 7 bottles to be sure and were fine.

I usually take more in my regular luggage as well and use wine skins for those. As far as declaring, you declare based on the value not the amount, even though there are limits to the amount you can bring back. I have never been asked how many bottles I have at customs, but would be happy to pay the additional tax if asked. Just something to keep in mind. I also do not tend to buy pricey bottles as I am buying wine to cellar (and drink now), you are paying extra for that bottle that has been aged for you.

Hope that helps, feel free to ask any other questions.

This is all very helpful, Cherrybomb. At the risk of revealing myself as not quite a seasoned traveler, how do you shrink wrap a bag? Wpuld this be available at the Madrid airport? I'm unfamiliar with it.

Hi axelrod6,
There is a shrink wrap service for baggage upstairs in Terminal 1 at Madrid's airport- between the entrance doors and the check in counters. We usually fly to the US from T1, so I don't recall where the shrink wrap machines are located in T4.

We declare our wine purchases, but we've never been charged duty for them.
In our experience, we can bring back as much as we can carry.

The shrinkwrap services are near the check-in counters on the entrance side, it costs b/t 8-10 euro. They just wrap your bag for you with what looks like tinted saran wrap, but it holds your bag super tight so that it cannot open up. When you get to the airport, if you don't see a sign, just ask where the nearest bag wrap is and hand it to them. It's super easy, you do nothing but pay the wrap person.

Just remember to put your fragile tags on AFTER wrapping the bag as it will cover the sticker. Again, the check in agent will tape them on for you while you stand there so you do not need to bring tape.

Unlike cherrybomb, DH and I were unexpectedly pulled aside at customs entering from Italy last year. We were operating under the assumption that you could bring in multiple bottles per person, although where we got that idea, I don't know.

We had honestly entered the value of the 8 bottles of wine we brought back which was about 400 euros. The customs agent immediately asked us how many bottles we had and pulled us aside for further questioning. After another agent asked us to produce receipts so they could figure out duty to be paid, she then changed her mind and let us go. The duty is only 3 percent so sometimes collecting a few bucks is not worth the paperwork.

However, please be aware that the Customs web site also states clearly that they follow your home state's laws in regard to how many bottles you can bring home for personal consumption. Luckily in my state there is no restriction.

If you do get pulled aside, be prepared for the extra delay. You don't want to miss a connecting flight.

If your wines aren't worth much, then the total paid for 12 bottles may not raise a red flag if you list wine separately on the form. Or I guess you could lump everything together as "souvenirs" on your form. Either way though you are technically breaking the law because you are only allowed one bottle per person duty free. The rest you are supposed to declare. It's not a matter of being asked. Then you risk having your wine confiscated. And who knows what else.

Just be aware.

drbb, as I stated prior, you declare based on value, not volume/quantity. That is why I noted that it was something to be mindful of as you may have to pay duty if your luggage is checked.

Alchol must also be declared as volume. You get one Litre free of duty and then you pay based on the value of your othe bottles (I have had to pay LOL!) I don't know if they let you pick the "highest prices" one as your freebie or not!


According to the customs website

"Generally, one liter per person may be entered into the U.S. duty-free by travelers who are 21 or older, although travelers coming from the U.S. Virgin Islands or other Caribbean countries are entitled to more. See our publication, "Know Before You Go" for additional information.

Additional quantities may be entered, although they will be subject to duty and IRS taxes.

Duty is generally 3% of value and the IRS excise tax is generally between 21-31cents per 750ml bottle of wine, 67 cents/champaigne, and $2.14/ hard liquor.

It is not legal for travelers under the age of 21 to import alcohol - even as a gift.

The total amount of alcohol you may enter the country with is primarily determined by the laws of the state where you will arrive back into the U.S. Each state's ABC board (or equivalent ) sets the amount of alcohol a person may bring into the state without a license or permit from that state. Travelers must check with the appropriate state ABC board, as the amounts vary from state to state. We regret that we are unable to provide this information, but CBP staff is not able to maintain information about each of the 50 State's various requirements.

There is no federal limit on the amount of alcohol a traveler may import into the U.S. for personal use, however, large quantities might raise the suspicion that the importation is for commercial purposes, and a CBP officer could require the importer to obtain an TTB import license (which is required for all commercial importations) before releasing it. If you do intend to travel with a large quantity of alcohol, we suggest you contact the entry branch of the port you will be entering the country through to discuss your situation in advance.

Duty rates on alcoholic beverages can be obtained in Chapter 22, "Beverages, Spirits and Vinegar," in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule. Alcoholic beverages purchased in duty-free shops are subject to duty when you bring them with you into the United States."

I find it interesting that they say you can only bring back what your state limits you too and then say "but we don't have a clue what that is" So how do they enforce it, ask you?

I'm agree, CarolA. Volume does count. You are supposed to declare anything over your one liter regardless of value. However there is no apparent space on the form you fill out to do that. I guess you are just supposed to tell them! Although I think 9 out of 10 times they'd rather not know!! It's just a hassle.

I think I did read on the Customs web site that they will count the highest value bottle into your declaration as long as you don't go over your $800 allowance.

The web site also doesn't define "large quantities."

It seems rather silly for Customs to bring up state limits if they are not able to adequately check that. I suppose this is one of those situations where Customs can say they warned you if you run afoul of state law.

Interestingly, I contacted my state ATC board to ask what state law allowed for import for personal consumption. The response was a romp in legalese:

"There is no apparent provision of Louisiana Alcoholic Beverage Control Law which provides for an amount of alcohol to be brought into the state from overseas."

Which I also took to mean that there is no restriction!

We will be bringing back more than our duty-free allotment of wine on our next trip. We'll just be prepared to pay duty and taxes and to possibly be delayed.

Bought the Wine boxes at Correos (2 that can handle 3 bottles each). They arrived safely including one transfer but one of the boxes was slightly damaged upon arrival. They will definitely require special treatment so make sure that the "Fragile" stickers are visible on the boxes at check-in.

Maribel, thanks for the suggestion.

I have a similar question and thought I'd add to this informative post instead of starting a new thread.

My friend wants to bring back about 12 bottles of txakoli and wine when we return from Spain in October. She'll be able to check in an additional item with the airline at no cost so is looking into purchasing one of these inexpensive wine trolleys.

Are there any additional alternatives? Is it possible to have a bodega ship directly to the U.S.? Or is it possible (and not prohibitively expensive) to ship home to the U.S using the Spanish postal service?

We're just trying to weigh the different possibilities.