moonlily

I will be flying into Detroit from Europe. Everyone wants me to bring back beer, how much can I bring back in my check in luggage and what is the best way?. Is there anything I need to know?

doug_stallings

You need to check the web site for the Customs and Border Protection Agency, which lists the limits: http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/.

Look in the appropriate section depending on whether you are a U.S. citizen/permanent resident or not.

november_moon

Definitely check Doug's link to be sure of the limits.

We have brought beer back in the past in our checked luggage - no more than a couple liters at a time though. We just wrap the bottles well with our clothing and make sure they are in the middle of the suitcase rather than near the edge - that way if the suitcase is dropped, the other stuff in the suitcase can absorb the impact.

One thing to consider is which beer is available in your local area. If you have BevMo or a similar type of store with a good beer selection, you might be surprised at how much is available at home. I've found some pretty obscure stuff there in addition to a good variety of fairly standard European brews.

And out of curiousity - where in Europe are you going? We just got back from southern Germany and Prague and a couple years ago we took a trip to Belgium - lots of beer consumed on both of those trips. Actually beer was the theme of the most recent trip

elberko

I read this differently. Are you wanting to bring US beer back to your home country? If so, the US law doesn't matter, you need to check with your county's restrictions.

~Liz

nytraveler

Unless you've got some extra suitcases you'r not going to be ble to bring back beer for everybody. And agree that except for very local brewereis (of which there are a lot) you can get european beers here without any trouble.

(We loved trying the BudVar - original of Budweiser in Czech republic - nothing like the ditch water Bud sold here.)

PaulRabe

If you're thinking of bringing back beer, or any alcoholic beverage (ab) from Europe, here's the URL you need to read:
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/va...aying_duty.xml

Summing up this page:
1) No more than one liter of ab per adult (21 and over) can be included in your "duty free" declaration.
2) You can bring back more than one liter of ab, but you will have to pay duty fees (3% of value up to $1000 -- be sure to have the purchase receipt!) on all of them.
3) "While federal regulations do not specify a limit on the amount of alcohol you may bring back for personal use, unusual quantities are liable to raise suspicions that you are importing the alcohol for other purposes, such as for resale. CBP officers are authorized by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to make on-the-spot determinations that an importation is for commercial purposes, and may require you to obtain a permit to import the alcohol before releasing it to you"

One absolute bit of advice: do not, under ANY circumstances, "forget" to declare the ab you are bringing into the U.S. In this day and age, Federal agents at the border do NOT take kindly to people who think they can circumvent laws there. If you think trans-Atlantic flying is difficult now, imagine what it will be like after you've been labelled as a potential smuggler for the rest of you life!

usroadman

The federal limit (which according to the website above is 1L) is just the amount you can bring in without paying duty. Go above that and you have to pay the tax, but you can still bring it for personal use (unless Michigan has a restriction on how much you can bring into the state). Just make sure you're honest on your declaration form. I've brought in as much as 7L at a time, always declared it, and never actually been told to pay (although one officer did suggest I might need to, but then decided to just let me go).

(By the way, my local beverage place has BudVar, although it's labeled as Czechvar due to the licensing of the name to A-B.)

RoamsAround

US citizens returning from Europe you are allowed to bring 1 liter of alcoholic beverages (beer included) duty free. You have declare and pay the duty and any Federal Taxes on any amount over 1 liter. Normally, you can bring in a "reasonable amount" for your own consumption or for gifts. If you bring in large quants (such as for resale) you are required to obtain the appropriate import licenses.

Keith

Don't worry about the duty free limit on International flights. I have brought as many as 7 liters of wine and spirits back, declared it, and never been charged. That has been true from th UK, France, Mexico and Aruba.

Many other travelers have told me the same thing. I know people who regular go to the Caribbean, take extra suitcases which they bring back filled with alcohol and tobacco and they are never charged.

Placename

But who in Detroit wants overpriced brand-name liquor available in their corner market?

RoamsAround

True, the Customs people rarely charge the additional duty on excess liquor but it can and does happen on occasion. which is why I mentioned it. The point being, if OP (or any one) is assessed the duty on the excess telling the Customs Agent the people on a travel forum said they don't have to pay won't get you a free pass.

gardendiva

At the airport I have found that if you declare it and mind your manners, the custom agents usually just let you go through. But I am sure if you act like it is owed to you, you may find your bag being searched.

J62

Duty on a bottle of wine is about 25c. The same or less per liter of beer.

Declare what you have. Be ready to fork out a few bucks duty, but expect them just to waive you through.

QED.