Driving in the USA with alcohol in luggage?

[Think I'm Tink]

Is there a limit on how much alcohol you are allowed to bring across the border when you cross into the US? And then, how about when crossing state/county lines? I just did a search here and all I can find is info on food, but not booze. I want to bring a couple dozen Hard Mikes across the border for our 3 week road trip because they use "malt liquor" instead of vodka in their coolers and it's just not the same! And DH will probably want to bring some Canadian beer. Will we end up in deep do-do for transporting alcohol?

 

[hockey mom]

I have brought 24 beer and 2- 40 oz of rye. I don't think it matters if it is for consumption in the states.

 

[cey]

We always purchase our Canadian Beer and liquor at the Canadian Duty free and then claim it when we enter the US border crossing. They always seem to ask that question at the Gananoque/Thousand Islands crossing anyway. Even if we are flying out of Syracuse, we will leave the bottles in the car (it doesn't freeze in Winter!) and then claim it when we enter back in to Canada. It has been cheaper to do it this way, but now that the dollar is good it may not matter. The only advantage may be if you prefer Canadian brands over imports!

______________________

Cheryl

 

[OntFamily]

I believe the limit is one litre of alcohol per person


http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/kbyg/paying_duty.xml

 

[yosh12]

Now when you claim this alcohol, are you talking about the alcohol above and beyond your limit (1 bottle liquor or case of beer.) How do you go about claiming this? Do you have to stop at customs to pay the duty or do you pay the guard?

I would like this info as there are only two drinking aged people in the car and there is a deal for three bottles of alcohol....how do we get that extra bottle, LOL

 

[cey]

Yes, you are able to claim extra bottles of alcohol and pay the duty on them. I haven't done this in a while, as DSs are adults now. You can probably check the US customs site and they will have that information. Be prepared to have to fill out a claim form and a bit of a wait at customs however, unless you get a really nice customs agent who will just let you drive through because you were honest enough to claim your extra liquor!

 

[ducklite]

Yes, you are able to claim extra bottles of alcohol and pay the duty on them. I haven't done this in a while, as DSs are adults now. You can probably check the US customs site and they will have that information. Be prepared to have to fill out a claim form and a bit of a wait at customs however, unless you get a really nice customs agent who will just let you drive through because you were honest enough to claim your extra liquor!

We've found that if you are slightly over the limit, have the receipt and the first words out of your mouth is "I've got more then the limit of alcohol and need to claim it" they will often tell you it's fine and to not worry about it.

They let us go with two adults, three cases of wine and three cases of beer one time! Just a wee bit over the limit, you think? We pulled up and handed our passports and the receipts and they told us thanks for being honest, and don't worry about it!

Anne

 

[Think I'm Tink]

I believe the limit is one litre of alcohol per person


http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/kbyg/paying_duty.xml

Boy, this would all be so much easier if I knew how many Hard Mikes = 1 litre. Does anybody know that answer from personal experience? I've been googling and searching all sorts of web pages. If they take it literally, it will be only 3 bottles. If they take it more based on the fact that the contents of the bottle is equivalent to an ounce of alcohol, then I should be able to bring more.

 

[ducklite]

Boy, this would all be so much easier if I knew how many Hard Mikes = 1 litre. Does anybody know that answer from personal experience? I've been googling and searching all sorts of web pages. If they take it literally, it will be only 3 bottles. If they take it more based on the fact that the contents of the bottle is equivalent to an ounce of alcohol, then I should be able to bring more.

Sorry, it doesn't work that way. One bottle, even if it's only 1% alcohol will count towards the allowance.

Seriously, the duty is so small that I'd just bring what you want, declare it and pay the $4 or so that it might cost you. They go by the value, so bring the receipts!

Anne

 

[Jaymie]

Whenever we go to visit friends in Indiana, we always stop at the duty free shop at the border and get a ton of booze. And we've never had a problem.

One time we were going to a Nascar race for a long weekend and took 9 cases of beer. We declared it all and had no trouble. I thought the rule was a Canadian could take as much alcohol from the duty free store as they could consume, while in the US for that visit. Don't quote me on that.

I know that coming back into Canada you can only bring one bottle or case of beer once away for 48 hrs or more.

As long as you declare what you're bringing into the country, you may have to pay, but you won't get in trouble.

 

[OntFamily]

I thought the rule was a Canadian could take as much alcohol from the duty free store as they could consume, while in the US for that visit. .

This is an incorrect (but common) assumption.

There is still an import restriction.

Duty Free only means no duties or taxes have been added to the price, in the country of sale. You must always declare all purchases, including duty free.

 

[WildGrits]

Boy, this would all be so much easier if I knew how many Hard Mikes = 1 litre. Does anybody know that answer from personal experience? I've been googling and searching all sorts of web pages. If they take it literally, it will be only 3 bottles. If they take it more based on the fact that the contents of the bottle is equivalent to an ounce of alcohol, then I should be able to bring more.

Here a Mike's Hard is 12oz so I guess at 33+oz in a Litre, 2

A suggestion..............
If you hate Malt Liquor drinks, I know I do, try a hard cider like WoodChuck.