Alcohol in Luggage

[ancestry]

We will be taking a few bottles of alcohol with us in our luggage. I read up on the requirements.

For Southwest it states: Alcohol (wine and liquor) in checked baggage must be securely packaged in a leak-proof bag with adequate professional packaging designed to fit the proportions of the bottle to prevent breakage.

What exactly qualifies as adequate professional packaging?

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I securely wrap my in bubble wrap and secure the bubble wrap with tape. I also ask SWA to put a fragile sticker on my luggage. Never had an issue.

 

[purple figment]

Bubble wrap is great, but in addition I would also recommend putting them in a ziploc bag. Even if your luggage has a fragile sticker, there's no guarantee that it will be treated carefully enough. If a bottle breaks, your luggage as well as that of other travelers is going to be soaked with alcohol.

 

[rwdavis2]

Bubble wrap then placed in a plastic bag is sufficient. I have flown many times with wine and that works.

 

[MKay]

I was thinking about pouring the alcohol into plastic bottles, placing the bottles into plastic ziploc bags then wrapping in bubble wrap and packing tape. I like the Fragile label idea. Anyone have experience with the glass vs plastic bottle or with mailing in a care package ahead of time to the resort?
Glad I found this thread.

 

[bumbershoot]

Anyone have experience with the glass vs plastic bottle or with mailing in a care package ahead of time to the resort?
Glad I found this thread.

Not allowed. Check USPS, Fedex, UPS...can't do it unless you're a licensed shipper of booze. You could try and hope you wouldn't be found out, but I don't like lying to those sorts of agencies.


When we brought wine and beer with us I overdid it and bought a WineChek box/bag with a proper wine shipper inside of it (box with styrofoam inserts) AND I used Wine Diapers as well. I didn't want to take any chances of it ruining anyone's stuff!

 

[rwdavis2]

Not allowed. Check USPS, Fedex, UPS...can't do it unless you're a licensed shipper of booze. You could try and hope you wouldn't be found out, but I don't like lying to those sorts of agencies.


When we brought wine and beer with us I overdid it and bought a WineChek box/bag with a proper wine shipper inside of it (box with styrofoam inserts) AND I used Wine Diapers as well. I didn't want to take any chances of it ruining anyone's stuff!

Correct, for USPS shipping alcohol is a crime. For UPS/FedEx they will confiscate it if they find it.

A styro wine shipper is the ultimate in protection. I watched an airline toss my case about 6 feet onto a conveyor belt and nothing broke. If you search around you can find various sizes.

 

[ancestry]

I was thinking about pouring the alcohol into plastic bottles, placing the bottles into plastic ziploc bags then wrapping in bubble wrap and packing tape. I like the Fragile label idea. Anyone have experience with the glass vs plastic bottle or with mailing in a care package ahead of time to the resort? Glad I found this thread.

According to most airlines' policies the alcohol has to be in its original unopened container.

 

[mommyrosa2]

Bubble wrap is great, but in addition I would also recommend putting them in a ziploc bag. Even if your luggage has a fragile sticker, there's no guarantee that it will be treated carefully enough. If a bottle breaks, your luggage as well as that of other travelers is going to be soaked with alcohol.

Bubble wrap then placed in a plastic bag is sufficient. I have flown many times with wine and that works.

This is exactly what we do as well and have never had any issues!

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Alcohol restrictions for flights originating in the United States are a combination of Federal Government rules and the each airline's own rules.

As far as I know, alcohol must always be in its original retail packaging and no higher than 70% alcohol (140 proof).

I agree with other posts in this thread that it's necessary both to prevent breakage and to make sure the liquid is contained if the bottle breaks or leaks despite bubble wrap of other padding. Failure to contain the liquid will affect not only the the things in your bag, but also in other passengers' bags below yours.

Here are the rules from American Airlines at http://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInformation/baggage/restrictedArticles.jsp

Alcoholic Beverages

Under 70 Percent by Volume

Example
Most beer and wine products or other alcoholic beverages in retail packaging

Allowed For Travel?
Checked baggage - yes

Carry-on baggage - see TSA guidelines for alcoholic beverages

Over 70 Percent by Volume

Example
Alcoholic beverages over 140 proof

Allowed For Travel?
No

Notes

Opened containers are only allowed if they are re-closed and packed properly.

Customs regulations by country may limit the amount of alcohol you may transport. Please check ahead of time to ensure that you are in compliance with these limits.

Limited to 5 liters per passenger for beverages 24-70 percent by volume.​

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I was thinking about pouring the alcohol into plastic bottles, placing the bottles into plastic ziploc bags then wrapping in bubble wrap and packing tape. I like the Fragile label idea. Anyone have experience with the glass vs plastic bottle or with mailing in a care package ahead of time to the resort?
Glad I found this thread.

Once you open a bottle of wine you only have a day or two to drink it otherwise is starts to taste like vinegar.

You have to have a special permit in order to ship wine. I worked at a company that wanted to ship wine to its very best customers for Christmas and we were not allowed.

 

[Thumper_Man]

DW and I bought these for our last trip to WDW and have used them a couple times since.

So far we haven't had any broken bottles.

 

[MKay]

Thank you for your help. I do not want to break any laws and I don't want to cause a mess for others, either. I was hoping to bring a bottle of rum or one of those pre-mixed daiquiri-type beverages. I'll have to read the labels and figure it out.

 

[MKay]

butterfingers