wendymindy

Hi,
Couple of questions on bringing wine back to the US:
* Is there a limitation on how much can be brought back (like Caribbean restrictions?)
* Is it super expensive to ship the wine versus trying to check it, and if so, who do I use to ship it and are they at the airport or would I need to go somewhere else to do that?
* If I do check some wine in my luggage, any suggestions on the best way to do it to prevent breakage?
Thanks in advance!

skibumette

There are limitations on how much wine you can bring in DUTY-FREE (it's just 1 or 2 bottles/person). But you can delcare any additional bottles; the duty is pretty reasonable. Given the weight of glass bottles, I suspect shipping will be expensive, unless they can add your bottles onto an already-planned shipment...but that would be a matter of great luck. Look online for padded bottle wrappers that are also liquid-tight in case of leakage. I know Magellans.com has them at $19.85 for two -- that would be worthwhile if the wine is valuable. Otherwise put a roll of bubble wrap in your suitcase and DIY? Check out: http://www.magellans.com/store/Trave...ingFP135?Args=

bobthenavigator

Why do you want to?
May be more hassle and $$$ than it is worth.

wendymindy

We are staying at a vineyard in Chianti that I'm pretty sure doesn't sell their wine in the US......figured I'd bring some of it back if it isn't horrible?

joannyc

I wrap it in a few pages of newspaper, then in bubble wrap before mummifying it with wide packing tape!

If the hotel doesn't have bubble wrap and packing tape, you can find a store that sells them. I don't bring it with me.

And, since you're staying at a vineyard, they may have packing supplies available for you.

craisin

I've brought back wine from Italy to U.S. before with no issues. I was a little less careful back then, too, and just used my clotes to wrap them. Now, I'm a bit more cautious and here's my plan of action for bringing wine from California to some folks I will visit in Europe, either:

1) purchase these cheaper WineSkin (http://www.magellans.com/store/Gifts...&istobe-type=0) bags. I found these for $6 at my local BevMo after I bought the mailers (see #2).

2) I bought large size bubble wrap mailers at Walmart. The plan is to first saran wrap the bottle really well. Then, I would place the bottle in the middle of the bubble mailer folding in one side to the front and the other side to the back for extra cushion, then tape that all up. Then, I'll probably put it in a plastic bag to contain the mess in case it breaks. Finally, I'll use some thicker clothes to wrap around them for good measure. I'll report back to let you know how this works out. I'm leaving next week!

It probably seems like a lot of effort but it's really not, in my opinion. But, then again, I am a packing nerd and enjoy coming up with McGyvery ways to pack hard to pack stuff.

avalon

I don't thinkit's worth the money or the effort!

StCirq

I agree with Avalon. I've done it before but won't do it again. Unless you are talking about purchasing some multi-hundred-dollar bottle of something you can't get here, there's always something you can find in the States that's equivalent. And quite possibly cheaper.

It's heavy. It's breakable. At the end of a trip when you're wigged out from the flight back anyway, it's a PITA.

craisin

StCirq, PITA is right! I definitely don't make a habit of this but when I "have" to, it can be done.

I have, for example, found what I thought was a super special Chianti Classico that I lovingly brought back from Italy for my family at BevMo! Sometimes a quick Internet search will save you time, money, and valuable luggage space!

AJPeabody

You also have to consider your state's laws, which can be very limiting.

Shipping will involve customs clearance, perhaps bonded warehousing, and is not for the faint hearted where alcohol is concerned.

Packing in checked luggage was more feasible when you could freely take two 70 lb bags per person in the long long ago, but with a bottle of wine weighing in at about 3 lbs, you are limited to a small number of bottles.

packed

We've brought back wine before in our luggage from Italy. It's heavy, a little difficult to pack, takes up a lot of room, and we won't do it again.

petertherabbitt

if you live in massachusetts then do not try to ship it from italy to here. state laws do not allow that without the proper licence . pain in the ass but unfortunate fact of life

txhomes

I can't imagine not wanting to bring wine home from Italy. We enjoy it so much when we serve it at home and it brings back such great memories. Both times we've brought back 6 bottles, 3 in each suitcase. The 1st time I just wrapped it in the clothes, the 2nd time I brought bubble wrap with me. The wine arrived home in perfect condition.

leelaurino

do you have a direct flight? i was told that if you change planes in the usa at arrival and go throgh security again, your bottles will be taken.

the past 5 years i have spent long periods of time in italy.
i discovered MailBoxEtc in Florence. they have branches in most cities. check their web site. the women that run the franchise in florence close to the train station are wonderful (who doest stop in florence to shop)
they have sent my business computer home for me so that i could enjoy the rest of my trip with a small suitcase. they have allowed me to fill a box over two days (shopping and sorting what i wanted to send home) saved me the cost of storage at the train station. I even had them ship one bag to my destination in Sorrento to arrive a week later while i meandered my way south.

the boxes were always delivered to my door without any damage.
if they can ship laptops they can ship wine.
if you need their email addreess, let me know.
hometoitaly.com

joannyc

It depends on the state in which you live in the U.S. as to whether you can ship wine.

Also, leelauirno's comment about changing planes in the U.S. is only relevant if you have the wine in your carry-on luggage. You can put it in your checked luggage if you are making a connection in the U.S.

wendymindy

We have a direct flight and I live in NC, where wine can indeed be shipped.
I believe we will most likely buy a few of the "bottle armor" type packages and bring some back in our checked luggage.....thank you for all of the comments!

zeppole

Are people seriously that clueless about Italian wine and the inability to get MOST of the best in the US unless you bring it back yourself? Same with olive oil.

There are entire books written about the high quality of these artisinal products.

I can understand people saying it's not important to *them" personally what they drink. I can't understand people posing as travel advisors and trip planners for Italy saying "It's not worth it" or "Why would you want to do that?"

I seldom take pictures when I travel but I don't click onto posts where people ask for photography tips and write: "What a PITA! Not worth the downloading and the extra luggage hassle!"

Is it really that difficult to imagine you're not everybody and other travelers might enjoy immensely something of little interest to you?

DeborahAnn

We brought several bottles back in our checked luggage from Umbria last month. In our area I have not found any Sagrantino or Montefalco wines from Umbria and Maryland does not allow wine shipped to the home. I put 3 bottles in each of my Eaglecreek packing folders surrounded by clothes. I wish I could have brought back cases of the Sagrantino but will just enjoy the bottles I have Deborah

greg

I sent back 3 bottles of wine and 2 bottles of olive oil using MailboxesEtc Siena for 110€. I knew that the shipment cost would make it more expensive than buying them at home, so I made sure the bottles were not available at home.

charnees

We have always just packed them in the middle of our clothes in our checked luggage and they've gotten home fine. The only thing I won't risk is one of those grappa bottles with a long neck -- too risky.