Can You Bring Unopened Wine on a Plane? | All Your Burning Questions, Answered

Wine has long been cherished as a symbol of celebration, culture, and refinement. Whether you wish to savor a bottle from a special vineyard or surprise a loved one with a carefully chosen vintage, the thought of transporting wine while traveling can be both exciting and confusing.

So, if you’re curious to know can you bring unopened wine on a plane, join us as we embark on this journey to uncover the truth about bringing unopened wine on a plane. Let’s raise a glass to discover the possibilities and pleasures that lie ahead!

Can You Bring Unopened Wine on A Plane?

The short answer is yes. 

5 liters (1.3 gallons) of alcoholic drinks with more than 24% but no more than 70% alcohol are allowed in checked luggage per person and must be in unopened retail packaging. There are no restrictions on alcoholic beverages in checked luggage that contain 24% alcohol or less. 

Alcohol mini-bottles in carry-on must be able to snugly fit into a single quart-sized bag.

Further detail: See FAA rule 49 CFR 175.10(a)(4) 

Policies Among Different Airlines

Here are some general rules and guidelines for popular airlines when customers fly with wine:

1. Delta Airline

According to the Delta Airlines Alcohol Transportation Guidelines, you may bring 5 liters of alcohol in carry-on or checked luggage.

2. Western Airlines 

Passengers may bring up to 5 liters of wine per person in checked luggage as long as it is properly wrapped and bears the original labels. 

3. Alaska Airlines

According to the Alaska Airlines Alcohol Rules, if the ABV is 24% or more, Alaska Airlines limits passengers to 5 liters of alcohol; however, there is no limit on the amount of wine per person in checked luggage, providing it is wrapped securely. 

4. American Airlines 

It limits passengers to 5 liters of alcohol with an ABV of above 24%; however, since wines have an ABV below 24%, there is no restriction.

How Much Wine Can You Fly With?

Let’s start by examining how much wine you can actually carry. It goes without saying that this sum varies by nation and airline, so before your trip, be sure to verify the most recent information.

And make certain you do it to abide by the duty-free regulations. Avoid incurring costly fines or import tax/duty by importing more alcohol than is permitted.

Here are some instances from the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union in the interim. You can check below!

USA Travel Allowance For Wine

You can inquire about the T.S.A’s (Transportation Security Administration) regulations for carrying wine into the USA. They are rather forgiving, and there are no restrictions on the quantity of alcohol with a 24% alcohol level or below that you may include in your checked luggage.

But according to the USA Government, you can bring 5 liters (1.3 gallons) with more than 24% but no more than 70% alcohol in checked luggage per person and must be in unopened retail packaging.

We believe that it applies to both local and foreign flights. However, you must adhere to your airline’s weight and quantity restrictions for checked bags and baggage.

Allowance For Bringing Wine On A Flight Into The UK

The duty-free guidelines for bringing wine into the UK while traveling are available on the Gov.uk website. As of right now, if you are of legal drinking age, you may carry the following quantity of wine:

• 18 liters of wine, plus

• 9 liters of sparkling wine or fortified wine, such as sherry and port

It should be noted that other alcohol you are carrying affects sparkling or fortified wine you are bringing. For instance, you will need to share the allocation with any non-still wine you have if you are importing spirits with an alcohol concentration exceeding 22%.

How Much Wine Can I Fly With In Europe?

Each EU nation has different restrictions on the amount of wine that can be imported.

Flying With Wine From One EU Country To Another

Currently, you are allowed to carry no fewer than 90 liters of wine per person, with no more than 60 liters of it being sparkling.

According to TSA, a minimum of 20 liters of fortified wine, such as port or sherry, may also be brought.

You may access each country’s customs webpage here to confirm the precise information for the EU country you’re visiting.

Flying With Wine Into An EU Country From A Non-EU Country

Check the details for the nation you’re visiting once again. However, as a general rule, you can carry 2 liters of sparkling or fortified wine and 4 liters of still wine.

Similar to the UK, any other alcoholic beverage you are carrying with a high alcohol content will influence the amount of wine in the second category. Therefore, be sure to calculate the allowance properly if you intend to share it with other forms of alcohol.

See more:

• How Many Bottles of Wine Can I Carry on a Plane?
• Best Wine for Italian Food: A Pairing Guide by Wine Experts
• How To Soften Tannins in Wine? Important THINGs to Know

How to Pack Wine on A Plane?

Packing wine on a plane requires careful consideration to ensure the bottles are protected from breakage. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to pack wine for air travel:

1. Choose the right wine bottles: Opt for sturdy wine bottles with thicker glass, as they are less likely to break during transit. Avoid bottles with fragile or delicate packaging.
2. Wrap each bottle individually: Start by wrapping each wine bottle in several layers of bubble wrap. Begin from the base of the bottle and wrap it tightly, continuing up to the neck. Secure the bubble wrap with tape to keep it in place.
3. Use cardboard dividers: Place cardboard dividers between the wrapped wine bottles to prevent them from knocking against each other. You can use cardboard from a wine box or create your own by cutting sturdy cardboard sheets to fit.
4. Create a wine bottle layer: Once the first layer of wine bottles is wrapped and separated by cardboard dividers, add another layer on top and repeat the process. Continue this step if you have more wine bottles to pack.
5. Fill empty spaces: To prevent bottles from shifting during transit, fill any empty spaces in the box with crumpled newspaper, clothing, or other soft items. This will help secure the bottles and minimize movement.
6. Seal the box securely: Once all the wine bottles are packed and the empty spaces are filled, seal the box securely with packing tape. Make sure the box is well-sealed to avoid any accidental openings or leaks.
7. Label the box as fragile: Clearly label the box as “Fragile” or “Handle with Care” to alert baggage handlers to take extra caution. This may not guarantee delicate handling, but it can help draw attention to the need for careful treatment.
8. Check airline and TSA regulations: Before traveling, check the specific guidelines and restrictions of the airline you’re flying with. Ensure your packed wine complies with their policies and meets any weight or quantity limitations.
9. Consider shipping options: If you are concerned about the safety of packing wine in checked luggage, you may want to consider alternative options like shipping the wine separately. Many shipping services offer specialized packaging for wine bottles to ensure safe delivery.

Packing Hacks Wine on A Plane

We suggest putting each wine bottle in a cushioned, absorbent, and sealable plastic bag of the kind offered by WineSkin ($9 for two reusable bags) and JetBag ($9.99 for a set of three) to prevent everything in her baggage from becoming crimson. The inflatable VinniBag ($30 for a reusable bag) is an additional choice. With solutions like these, you receive additional bottle protection as well as spillage insurance.

Additionally, the bags may be used again to safeguard any breakables you pick up on your travels, such as priceless souvenir shot glasses and jars of olive oil. 

The Taxes on Alcohol in Various Countries

Tax rates on alcohol can vary significantly from country to country. Here are some examples of alcohol tax rates in various countries:

1. United States

• The United States imposes federal excise taxes on alcohol, including beer, wine, and distilled spirits. The tax rates vary depending on the type and alcohol content.
• State taxes also apply, and these rates differ among states. Some states have higher alcohol tax rates than others.

2. United Kingdom

• In the United Kingdom, alcohol duties are applied based on the type and alcohol content of the beverage.
• The duty rates for alcohol are £26.78 per hectolitre of pure alcohol for beer, £28.74 per liter of pure alcohol for spirits, and £2.23 per liter of pure alcohol for wine.

3. Canada

• Canada applies both federal and provincial taxes on alcohol.
• The federal excise tax rates vary by type of alcohol, including beer, wine, and spirits.
• Provincial taxes are additional and vary by province or territory.

4. Australia

• Australia applies several taxes on alcohol, including the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and the Wine Equalisation Tax (WET).
• The GST is a 10% tax applied to the price of alcohol.
• The WET is specific to wine and is currently set at 29% of the taxable value of wine.

5. France

• In France, alcohol is subject to various taxes, including the Taxe Spéciale sur les Vins (TSV) for wine and the Taxe Intérieure de Consommation sur les Produits Alcooliques (TICPA) for other alcoholic beverages.
• The TSV rates vary depending on the type and alcohol content of the wine.
• The TICPA rates also vary based on the type of beverage.

FAQs

1. Can I bring a bottle of wine that is still sealed in my carry-on?

The same regulations as above apply to carry-on baggage. You can only carry containers that are 3.4 oz or smaller and that fit inside your quart-sized bag. You are only allowed to check five liters of luggage per traveler. But it has to be in its original, retail packaging!

2. Can wine be stored in checked baggage?

Alcoholic beverages with a strength of between 24% and 70% are restricted to 5 liters in checked bags per passenger; beverages with a strength of under 24% are not subject to this restriction.

3. Can you bring wine aboard on a plane?

Wine and alcohol are permitted in checked (hold) luggage under the following circumstances: No limitations apply to alcoholic beverages that contain less than 24% alcohol. Beverages with an alcohol concentration of between 24% and 70% – 5L per person outside of the EU and 10L inside.

4. Can alcohol explode in checked baggage?

Let us start by reassuring you that your beer and wine will not burst during your flight, especially if they are carbonated and include bubbles like sparkling wines.

5. How should open alcohol be packaged for checked baggage?

It’s a good idea to pad the bottles themselves if you’re packing beer, wine, or liquor in your checked luggage. Wrapping them in newspaper, bubble wrap, or even clothes like jeans or sweaters will help you achieve this. The bottles will be better protected from impact and accidents during transportation if they are cushioned.

6. Can I bring alcohol on an international flight from Australia?

acceptable as checked or carry-on luggage. Alcoholic beverages are only allowed in retail packaging and are limited to a net total of 5L per person. Alcohol brought on board cannot contain more than 70% alcohol by volume, and drinking is not allowed while flying.

7. How Do You Bring A Wine Bottle On A Plane?

Wine must be packed in your checked luggage if you are not purchasing wine at duty-free shops. Wine can be transported in clothing, specialized travel bottle cases, or specific wine luggage.

8. How Can Wine Be Transported Safely In Checked Baggage?

The safest method is to pack your wine in a dedicated case made just for air travel. You can choose durable cases with wheels for simple transportation.

9. What is prohibited from being carried-on on domestic flights?

List of Items Banned from Checked and Hand Luggage: Compressed gasses, which include butane oxygen, liquid nitrogen, aqualung cylinders, and compressed gas cylinders, are profoundly chilled, flammable, non-flammable, and poisonous. Corrosives such acids, alkalis, mercury, wet cell batteries, and equipment containing these substances…

10. How should liquid be placed in a bottle?

Conclusion

In conclusion, by staying informed and following the appropriate guidelines, you can answer: “can you bring unopened wine on a plane?” to enjoy the pleasure of bringing your unopened wine bottles on a plane and relish in the anticipation of sharing those exceptional vintages or treasured souvenirs with friends and family.

So, whether you’re planning a wine-tasting adventure or simply wish to enjoy a favorite bottle during your vacation, rest assured that with careful planning and adherence to regulations, you can savor your unopened wine while soaring through the skies.

Cheers to the joys of travel and the delightful world of wine!