Amount of wine allowed from Italy?
Jan 24th, 2005, 09:01 AM
#1
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Amount of wine allowed from Italy?
Do they limit the amount of wine you can bring back with you on the plane from Italy?
Are there restrictions on sending wine from Italy?
Do you have any suggestions for wine shops to purchase and send wine in Rome or Florence?
Are there restrictions on sending wine from Italy?
Do you have any suggestions for wine shops to purchase and send wine in Rome or Florence?
Jan 24th, 2005, 11:05 AM
#2
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This is direct from the U.S. Customs Web site:
"Whether you live in the United States or not, the limit on alcohol is one liter of beverage, be it wine, liquor or beer."
I know there are people who bring wine shippers with them and they bring back cases of wine. But the airlines are becoming more vigilant and are now charging for excess baggage.
We only bring home as much as we can carry on or fit in our suitcase safely because shipping from Italy can be very costly.
"Whether you live in the United States or not, the limit on alcohol is one liter of beverage, be it wine, liquor or beer."
I know there are people who bring wine shippers with them and they bring back cases of wine. But the airlines are becoming more vigilant and are now charging for excess baggage.
We only bring home as much as we can carry on or fit in our suitcase safely because shipping from Italy can be very costly.
Jan 24th, 2005, 11:17 AM
#3
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We brought home 5 bottles between 2 people in our carryon luggage and we didn't run into any problems.
We saw a couple of young women with 6 bottles each in a carrier and they also breezed through customs.
These are just my experiences and by no means official.
We saw a couple of young women with 6 bottles each in a carrier and they also breezed through customs.
These are just my experiences and by no means official.
Jan 24th, 2005, 11:19 AM
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Hi lorac,
Are you sure that "...the limit on alcohol is one liter of beverage, be it wine, liquor or beer" doesn't refer to Duty Free?
In my experience, US Customs doesn't mind if you bring home a case (12 bttls) for your personal consumption as long as you declare it and pay the duty (about 10%)
The restrictions come from your home state.
Some let you bring or ship wine home, some don't.
Check with your local Alcohol Beverage Commisssion.
Are you sure that "...the limit on alcohol is one liter of beverage, be it wine, liquor or beer" doesn't refer to Duty Free?
In my experience, US Customs doesn't mind if you bring home a case (12 bttls) for your personal consumption as long as you declare it and pay the duty (about 10%)
The restrictions come from your home state.
Some let you bring or ship wine home, some don't.
Check with your local Alcohol Beverage Commisssion.
Jan 24th, 2005, 12:03 PM
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I brought back 20 bottles with no problems whatsoever. You are allowed 2 pieces of check baggage (70 pounds per bag -- may vary from airline to airline). I had 2 checked bags - one with clothes, and the other a case of wine packed in styrofoam by the winery.
Additionally, I had a 3-pack box, and 5 bottles in my backpack which I carried on. The only question I was asked going thru customs & immigration at Newark was "Do you have any food products?" I said no, and walked right thru. Additionally, there was nothing on my customs form that asked how much alcohol I had.
The duty on still wine is peanuts. I certainly wouldn't worry about it.
Shipping it (from the winery that I purchased from in Montepulciano) was in access of 120 Euro per case. They told me they marked the shipping documents as "Olive Oil" and never had any problems getting it thru customs (thru the mail, that is).
I would think most of your large wine shops could crate your wine for shipping.
If by chance, you are traveling by car from Florence to Rome and stop in Montepulciano, I purchased my Nobile di Montepulciano from Crociani. Their reserves were fantastic!!!
Additionally, I had a 3-pack box, and 5 bottles in my backpack which I carried on. The only question I was asked going thru customs & immigration at Newark was "Do you have any food products?" I said no, and walked right thru. Additionally, there was nothing on my customs form that asked how much alcohol I had.
The duty on still wine is peanuts. I certainly wouldn't worry about it.
Shipping it (from the winery that I purchased from in Montepulciano) was in access of 120 Euro per case. They told me they marked the shipping documents as "Olive Oil" and never had any problems getting it thru customs (thru the mail, that is).
I would think most of your large wine shops could crate your wine for shipping.
If by chance, you are traveling by car from Florence to Rome and stop in Montepulciano, I purchased my Nobile di Montepulciano from Crociani. Their reserves were fantastic!!!
Jan 24th, 2005, 02:55 PM
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Budman bought wine????
We tried shipping wine home from France ourselves and it was terrible. We took the bottles to the post office and the nighmare started. First langage and then they were not sure how to ship to the US. We were there so long we got a parking ticket. We mailed three boxes, six bottles per box. One never made it, one came smashed and moist, one in actually had all six bottles.
For us we will now only have it shipped home from the vinyard or put it in our checked luggage.
We tried shipping wine home from France ourselves and it was terrible. We took the bottles to the post office and the nighmare started. First langage and then they were not sure how to ship to the US. We were there so long we got a parking ticket. We mailed three boxes, six bottles per box. One never made it, one came smashed and moist, one in actually had all six bottles.
For us we will now only have it shipped home from the vinyard or put it in our checked luggage.
Jan 24th, 2005, 04:37 PM
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regarding the shipping of wine from italy to the usa. better check first with a state official or look up the web site for that state the wine is being shipped too. there are several including massachusetts that will not allow this to happen and will confiscate the wine leaving you with no wine and lost money
Jan 24th, 2005, 04:42 PM
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To echo Lorac1127, airlines do indeed limit it to 1 litre bottle of wine in your carry-on. According to United Airlines and my tried-and-true method, you are not limited to what you bring/pack inside your suitcase (checked baggage). With ample bubble wrap and careful wrapping, you can safely bring another 2 or 3 bottles home in your suitcase!
Jan 24th, 2005, 05:25 PM
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Huitres, I think she said United States, not United Airlines, limits 1 litre. That's 1 litre before you have to pay duty/customs. I've never had an airlines go thru and check how much alcohol I was carrying on board in my carry on.
If you bring back a case or two of wine with your checked baggage/carry on, it's not worth their time and effort to do up the paperwork to charge you customs/duty.
If you bring back a case or two of wine with your checked baggage/carry on, it's not worth their time and effort to do up the paperwork to charge you customs/duty.
Jan 24th, 2005, 11:29 PM
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Friends of ours just left Sicily in November, she had a carry on of three bottles and her son (6yrs!) had another three, along with their regulat carryon...no problems! She did buy a lot of stuff well packed in her suitcase and also mailed a few large boxes out too. I bet if I tried it I'd be slammed with a tax! LOL!
Jan 25th, 2005, 08:49 AM
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Hi Budman: Indeed, she did say United States, but it is the U.S. Customs Web site that all the airlines (including United Airlines) has to adher to! I called around several airlines asking them their policy on bringing back wine and that is the very statement they re-iterated to me. Since I fly United Airlines, that is the example I used. I put 1 bottle in my carry-on (=1 litre), and packed the other 3 in my suitcase, no problem!
Jan 25th, 2005, 09:17 AM
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I returned from a trip to Italy last May. I had 6 bottles of wine in one suitcase. No problem. Meat and cheese is a big no no and the fine in terrible. I wouldn't try that. I'm going back again this April and plan to do the same.
Jan 25th, 2005, 09:38 AM
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artsfan, I think the restrictions by state are for shipping wine. Can't ship wine from Calif to NJ, but you can carry it on the airplane.
Huitres, I've never flown United, but I've brought back more than my limit of alcohol for years, and only had to pay extra duty once, and that was for hand-carried champagne. I had 4 bottles that were exposed when an agent said to me, "Hey, whatsha got?" You can bring back all you want, but you just have to pay the customs/duty if asked.
Huitres, I've never flown United, but I've brought back more than my limit of alcohol for years, and only had to pay extra duty once, and that was for hand-carried champagne. I had 4 bottles that were exposed when an agent said to me, "Hey, whatsha got?" You can bring back all you want, but you just have to pay the customs/duty if asked.
Jan 25th, 2005, 10:32 AM
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Why bother? There are oceans of VG and great wines from earlier vintages purchased with much stronger USDs.
As an example, check www.pjwine.com for a broad IT selection in NYC.
We have scores of '97 - '01 IT still at retail in DFW.
If you don't declare overseas purchases rt to the USA, you'll regret it (and probably miss your connecting flight).
M
As an example, check www.pjwine.com for a broad IT selection in NYC.
We have scores of '97 - '01 IT still at retail in DFW.
If you don't declare overseas purchases rt to the USA, you'll regret it (and probably miss your connecting flight).
M
Jan 25th, 2005, 10:35 AM
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Budman, bravo for you -- the more wine you can bring on/back with you, the better! Go for it. I do think it depends on how anal the airline(s) wants to be. United has let me get away with bringing back a lot of things (including 2 espresso machines!), then one trip last year, one agent decided they didn't want me to have my 1 tomato from Rome that I had forgotten to eat on the plane trip back. They confiscated that along with my cheese, oh well, a lesson learned. Interestingly enough, I have found specific airports (i.e. Chicago's O'Hare and Denver's Stapleton to be real sticklers re: goods brought back and subsequent confisication, if any. I don't have those same problems flying in/out of LAX).
Re: the Customs declaration form, I just vaguely put "gifts" on the form (olive oil, wine, pesto) but don't specify amounts. It's worked out fine that way....so far!
Re: the Customs declaration form, I just vaguely put "gifts" on the form (olive oil, wine, pesto) but don't specify amounts. It's worked out fine that way....so far!
Jan 25th, 2005, 10:58 AM
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There have been many funny stories about goods brought back from overseas and how Customs handled it at the various airports. Personally, I would rather not be embarrassed by some eager beaver agent but I really do like bringing home some alcoholic souviners. At some airports, as in Venice, you can see the luggage as it goes through the x-ray machines and just about every suitcase has bottles of wine.
However, the policy of the U.S. Government on bringing back alcoholic beverages is:
"One liter (33.8 fl. oz.) of alcoholic beverages may be included in the $400 exemption if:
· You are 21 years of age or older.
. It is for your own use or for use as a gift.
· It is not in violation of the laws of the state in which you arrive.
Note: Most states restrict the quantity of alcoholic beverages you may import. If the state in which you arrive permits less liquor than you have legally brought into the United States, that state's laws prevail. Information about state restrictions and taxes should be obtained from the state government as laws vary from state to state.
Alcoholic beverages in excess of the one-liter limitation are subject to duty and Internal Revenue Tax.
Shipping alcoholic beverages by mail is prohibited by United States postal laws. Alcoholic beverages include wine and beer as well as distilled spirits."
That's what U. S. Customs says. From there, it is up to each individual to choose how to proceed.
However, the policy of the U.S. Government on bringing back alcoholic beverages is:
"One liter (33.8 fl. oz.) of alcoholic beverages may be included in the $400 exemption if:
· You are 21 years of age or older.
. It is for your own use or for use as a gift.
· It is not in violation of the laws of the state in which you arrive.
Note: Most states restrict the quantity of alcoholic beverages you may import. If the state in which you arrive permits less liquor than you have legally brought into the United States, that state's laws prevail. Information about state restrictions and taxes should be obtained from the state government as laws vary from state to state.
Alcoholic beverages in excess of the one-liter limitation are subject to duty and Internal Revenue Tax.
Shipping alcoholic beverages by mail is prohibited by United States postal laws. Alcoholic beverages include wine and beer as well as distilled spirits."
That's what U. S. Customs says. From there, it is up to each individual to choose how to proceed.
Jan 25th, 2005, 11:11 AM
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I think the duty free limit is now $800. If you are under that amount, you don't have to itimize anything on the customs form. i.e., you don't have to list your alcohol/wine, purchases, etc.
Now, if they "ask you" and you say no, and they search & find something, you're in big trouble.
Meats, fruits, veg, soft cheese are a no-no, so I can understand why they are confiscated -- they should have at least let you eat it on the airplane.
Hard cheeses are OK. I used to bring wheels of gouda & edam home all the time.
Now, if they "ask you" and you say no, and they search & find something, you're in big trouble.
Meats, fruits, veg, soft cheese are a no-no, so I can understand why they are confiscated -- they should have at least let you eat it on the airplane.
Hard cheeses are OK. I used to bring wheels of gouda & edam home all the time.
