As you plan your long weekend visiting out of town wineries, a big thing to consider is how to transport your favorite wines home. Whether you traveled by air or land, there are a few things you should know before you leave. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) limits liquids in carry-on baggage to 3.4 ounces; therefore, bottles of wine must go in checked bags. The TSA has guidelines when it comes to packing alcohol in checked bags.
- You must be 21 years old.
- Bottles must be unopened.
- Anything over 70 percent alcohol by volume is not allowed on US flights.
- Most wines contain 11-14 percent alcohol or less.
- You can check an unlimited amount of wine in your luggage as long as you consider that the weight limit is 50 pounds.
- Wine is heavy with most bottles weighing between 2-4 pounds.
Be sure to check each airline’s policies as they may be different from the TSA recommendations.
Packing Wine to Travel on an Airplane
There are several different ways to pack your wine for the trip home. If you are bringing a few bottles home, you can easily pack them in your suitcase. Hard-sided suitcases are definitely a better option than canvas suitcases when it comes to protecting your wine. You will want to be sure that each bottle is protected from impact encountered during travel. Wrap each individual bottle in 2-3 layers of clothing and place the bottle in the middle of your suitcase. Wrapping each bottle in bubble-wrap is even better. You can also purchase an inflatable wine bag. Keep in mind that protecting the wine will take up a lot of space and add weight to your suitcase.
If you are bringing home more than a couple bottles of wine, there are other options that will get the bottles home safely. First off, check with each winery to see what shipping options they offer. (free shipping or discounted shipping based on purchase or membership) Most airlines charge for checked baggage, so shipping the wine may be your best option. If you plan on transporting the wine yourself, you will need to purchase a sturdy travel container. You can spend as little as $20 or upwards of $500. Amazon sells a 12 bottle box shipping kit as well as several hard-back wine suitcases. There are also options for transporting fewer bottles of wine, such as travel cases or backpack type cases. Make sure to wrap each wine bottle well as these options are often made of a canvas material.
Packing Wine to Travel by Land
Whether your wine adventure has you traveling by car or train, you still need to get the bottles home safely. Your best bet is to purchase a wine bottle packing box. This box has foam inserts that will protect each bottle. The biggest concern when transporting wine is that high temperatures are not good for wine. It is best to keep the wine inside of the cool vehicle, avoiding hot storage spaces. In addition, if you have to park for an extended period of time, be sure the wine is out of direct sunlight. When travel requires an overnight stay, it is a good idea to take the wine indoors with you, avoiding the hot temperatures inside the vehicle. For long road trips, you will want to keep the cork moist. A dried out cork can cause spoiled wine. You can remedy this by storing the wine upside down or on it’s side. The vibrations from travel can affect the taste of the wine, which is sometimes referred to as “bottle shock.” Once you are home, allow the wine to rest for a few weeks in a dry cool space.
Day Trip Wine Outings
Whether you are going on a picnic, tailgating, or driving up the coast, you are going to want to bring your favorite bottle of wine. There are a lot of options out there for storage and drinkware. Popular right now are travel wine cups which are great for boats, beaches, and backyard adventures. These stainless steel wine tumblers are great for travel especially when they come with a plastic lid. The added bonus is that it keeps the wine cool as well. If you are not a fan of stainless steel, there are acrylic varieties available. For the die-hard wine drinker, there are many varieties of wine travel cases. Simple backpack styles, canvas totes, or fancy leather cases– there is something out there for everyone. Enjoy!
Customs & Travelling Abroad
Many of our website visitors ask about purchasing wine overseas, like in Europe, Australia, South America, Asia and Africa and bringing it back to the United States. As far as quantity goes, there are no fixed limits. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection Regulations for U.S. Residents states, “While Federal regulations do not specify a limit on the amount of alcohol you may bring back for personal use, unusual quantities are liable to raise suspicions that you are importing the alcohol for other purposes, such as for resale.” Provided you are over 21 years old, the wine is for your personal use, and it doesn’t violate the laws of the state in which you arrive, you have the right to bring back 1 litre of wine duty free.
As far as the costs go, you may be subject to customs charges and IRS taxes. If the officials charge you for the extra bottles, you may have to pay a percentage of the wine’s value for customs. If you would like to know your specific state laws for bringing in wine, contact your local officials.
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