No one has addressed this. Wine can be very sensitive to changes in temperature. Last December, we attempted to get 2 bottles from Italy to England in hand baggage. OK we’re idiots. Well, the security folks were kind enough to allow us to go back and try to put it in our checked baggage. No problem with the airline. But, when we opened it on Christmas, it was spoiled. Since then, we have spoken with a number of wine experts. With the quick changes in temperature and rough baggage handling, wine does not travel well. Bottom line is be careful; no since in shipping wine if it will be spoiled anyway.

"Just to make sure I understand; even though I am flying nonstop to ATL, and it is my final destination, wines have to be in my checked luggage, even if bought from the Duty Free shop in Europe."

Yes, What I do is open my suitcase, stick the bottle in the middle (still wrapped in it's duty free bag for additional protection) and cross my fingers. So far so good.

ATL has no way for you to get from the international arrival area to the exit without requiring you to re-enter the main terminal. So once you hit US soil the TSA takes over. (The airlines yell to remind folks, but every time I have flown international lately I have seen LOTS of wine and perfume at the TSA counter. Guess they have good parties and smell nice!)

hi, bktport,

there was quite a long recent thread on this [title was about a 20 year old trying to import wine into the US, but we segued off point a bit, as per usual].

the general opinion was that the possibly large changes in temp COULD cause severe damage to the wine. better overall to buy at home.

regards, ann

<i>Flammable items also include alcohol, so think twice about bringing that bottle of wine back from France.</i>

Distilled spirits are flammable if heated.

I hope it doesn't get that hot in the baggage compartment, for one simple reason: it's the same atmosphere the passengers and crew are in.

Hi Betty,

&gt;..we don't need to worry about our styrofoam cases as long as they are checked? &lt;

That is correct.

Make sure to declare what you have, even if it is above the 1 L pp limit. The Customs duty is so low that they don't bother to collect it, but they like you to declare it.

((I))

Thank you, Carol.

((I))

And thank you, Ira. Unless someone tells me different I will assume there is no problem bringing this amount into the states mentioned. It sounds like it's a situation where, if they wanted to be mean about it they could, but isn't likely to happen. Hope so, anyway. We'll try not to ruffle anyone's feathers!

Distilled spirits are flammable IF heated and then LIGHTED. If you heat them, they simmer.

I believe that &quot;flammable&quot; and &quot;<u>in</u>flammable (oddly enough) both mean &quot;capable of being ignited.&quot;

So warming spirits does, in fact, render them capable of being LIGHTED.

But (as I said above), this warming will not happen to liquor in the baggage hold any more than it will to liquor in the passenger compartment.

People sure have some weird ideas about how aircraft are put together.

I haven't read all of the other posts but Ira is right when he says that you can take wine on the flight if you buy it in duty free. Be aware that if you have to connect to another flight in the US on the return you have to put the wine in your checked bag when you recheck your luggage after customs.

Concerning wine: I am 20-years-old and traveling to Italy for 2 weeks. Since I am of legal age to drink in Italy, I can purchase wine. However, I was planning on bringing home a bottle or two for my family in my check-in luggage back to the U.S.

Is this a problem since I'm still underage in America?

Hi cc,

Technically, you aren't allowed to bring alcohol into the US.

In practice, it is unlikely that you will be searched and seized.

((I))

We are leaving tomorrow so I need a quick response- is it ok to bring food items in sealed bags in your carry on bag. (I understand no liquids are allowed- but what about food items?)

Bill,
You can bring food items - sealed bag or not nobody cares - as long as they aren't liquid (incl yogurt, apple sauce etc).

Or maybe not:

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/cl..._prod_inus.xml

Robs,
I took Bill's question to mean can he bring food past security to eat on the plane (answer is YES).

If he meant importing food items into the US, you are correct.

Betty - to specifically answer your question about going to/through IAH, you do not need to be concerned about bringing wine for personal use to IAH. Coming to IAH from Italy, we had wine packed in checked baggage. Those of us who exceeded the 1L limit, paid duty on the excess. But otherwise, no problem.

I just came back with 6 bottles in my bag from Paris - no problems, &amp; my sister 4 bottles. Our bags were even over the weight limit due to that and at first we were going to be charged $25 overage for each, then only $25.00 for both bags, then the very nice airport guy said just remember for next time. Left France with a good feeling, but I think you have more to worry about weight than packing the bottles.

To be flamable, your booze would have to be 100 proof - after all, that was the test - if it burned, that was 100% proof that it was alcohol