Marcie

My husband and I will be in Italy and Germany next month and I understand that we can only bring back a liter of alcohol each. Does anyone know if there is a way to ship wine to Arizona, or must one have a license? Any suggestions on great wineries would be appreciated also. Our favorite is a
cabernet.

Michael Daxe

Hi Marcie,

I wanted to respond to your note. Not only am I traveling to Europe with my fiancee next month to get married, but I was also raised in Germany. I believe there may be a way for you to ship your wine without a license. However, my response relates more to your taste in wine. Unfortunately the Italians and Germans are not famous for good cabernets. Germany produces predominantly white wines as they are too far north where the limited sun intensity is not favorable for the growth of reds. In Italy you will find wonderful reds. You may even adapt a new favorite from your experiences there. For more traditional cabernets you really should try to make time to visit France. The southern regions of France, from the atlantic to the French alps, produce probably the finest red wines anywhere in the world. They most likely make the average cabernet available from California seem like concord grape juice.

Hoping you enjoy your trip either way. Best wishes.

Michael Daxe

Tricia

Looked up Alcoholic beverages in the Europe AAA guide and it says 1 liter and positively no shipping home. Also some interesting websites on duty free shopping-- go into Yahoo Search engine and type in US. Customs-duty free shopping. It has list of quantities and types of things allowed back within your $400 limit.

Marion Laney

My Fiance and I are planning a trip through the northern Spanish wine regions and hope to bring back wine. If you discover a route for bringing wine or what the tariffs for importing above the limit please respond!

Lili

I'm hoping to bring back wine from an upcoming trip too. I know two people who have shipped wine cases home from Europe, so this must be possible. It appears to me that the one-liter limit is for "exempt from duty", but you can bring more IF YOU PAY DUTY on it. Check http://www.customs.ustreas.gov/travel/kbygo.htm for the "Know Before You Go" customs guide. You could also phone U.S. Customs and ask. Hope this helps.

Lili

My response is too late for the earlier inquiries on this message, but others may wish to know. I've just returned from Portugal--with wine. Yes, U.S. Customs allows you to bring only 1 liter per adult, exempt from duty; you pay duty on any additional bottles even if you are still under the $400 exemption. I brought six more bottles, carefully packed for air flight by the wine store. Customs in NY looked at my customs form, the wine package, my receipt, my passport, and I paid the duty, then went on my way. No problem. I could have had a half case, full case, or more shipped by the wine store via a commercial shipper, packed, insured, Customs paperwork dealt with--but the charge was about $165/case and would not have been worth it for me. Other shippers in other countries may have different rates. Don't be afraid to buy some good wine--just be sure to ask the store first about the "Tax Free for Tourists" EU program so you can get a refund of your VAT. You need a special form from the store. Cheers!

Charlie Delmar

Carefully pack your wine and ship it back to the US. Declare the package as an unsolicited gift valued at less than $250.