19 year old daughter is doing a 5 month study abroad session in Germany. Would like to send several small bottles of bourbon along for host family but can't seem to find out if it would be confiscated from her at a US airport since she's underage here, but legal in Germany.

The issue isn't w/ Germany. It is whether she will be allowed to have it in the USA. Nothing at all to do w/ Germany, they won't care as long as it is under the allowable amount.

If it is her checked bags she shouldn't be 'found out'. But there is a chance.

a. It will have to be in her checked baggage. There's no other way to take it.
b. I would say the chances of a 19-year-old being prosecuted for underage possession of alcohol in baggage are about the same as being struck by lightning. In fact, depending on the state, I'm not even sure it's against the law for a 19-year-old to be in possession of a sealed container of alcohol.

Hi mwessel,
My husband who is retired law enforcement says it is illegal for a minor to have in their possession alcohol, opened or not. Getting caught though probably ranks up there with a lightning strike, but it would sure be a lousy way for your daughter to start her trip. Isn't there anything else you can think of to send your friend?

What if you went to the airport with your daughter and checked the bag in for her, then it technically wouldn't be in her possession until she arrived in Germany? Do you think if you called her airline you could find out?

Be aware that the bag may be opened and the bottles removed (even if you're willing to have all of her belongings smelling like bourbon if one of them breaks when they throw the luggage around).

Friends of mine took 2 bottles or Pepto Bismol (don;t ask) on a trip to SA - and the one in the husband's bag broke. He wore bright pink spotted clothes the whole trip.

They do have bourbon in Germany.

is there something else [legal?] she could take?

Michelle - of course it's legally in her possession if her parents take her to the airport - it's she who checks in, after all. don't you have those questions in the US

"is this your bag? could anyone have tampered with it? has anyone asked you to carry anything for them?"

annig - we no longer have those security questions in the US. It's been at least 10 years since I've been asked that when flying within the US or when leaving the US. We have had other questions such as are you carrying a lighter but even that is no longer asked as lighters are permitted as carry on items.

adrienne - there was a hilarious sketch on TV recently, when a passenger was asked all those questions [which are still standard here] and gave al the wrong answers, and was still waved through as normal.

Why don't they ask travellers in the US these Qs any more?

When and if the luggage is checked prior to putting it on the plane, the inspectors won't know the age of the owner. It's rather normal to have booze in checked luggage. I think the only danger is that a dishonest airport employee might swipe it.

>>Why don't they ask travellers in the US these Qs any more?<<
You answered your own question in the previous paragraph. The sketch was art imitating life.

michele: since every state has different laws about what constitutes "possession" of alcohol, how can your husband be certain about the law in the state the OP's daughter is flying out of?

This discussion probably is becoming way to academic (and part of it is my fault).