Yes. For liquor between 24% and 70% ABV, you may pack up to 5 liters per person in checked baggage, in unopened retail bottles; under 24% ABV has no FAA limit.
Flying with a bottle or two can be easy when you know the rules. This guide explains what counts as liquor, how much you can pack, the proof limits that matter, and the packing steps that save broken glass and headaches. Read on for clear, flight-ready answers and a no-nonsense checklist for smooth trips.
Checked Bag Liquor Rules At A Glance
Air travel rules split alcohol by strength. Beers and most wines sit under 24% ABV. Standard spirits like whiskey, rum, gin, vodka, and tequila land between 24% and 70% ABV. Super-high proof products above 70% ABV are off-limits. The table below shows the limits that apply to your checked bag.
| Alcohol Type (ABV) | Checked Bag | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 24% or less (beer, most wine, hard seltzer) | Allowed | No FAA quantity limit; pack to prevent leaks. |
| More than 24% up to 70% (typical liquor) | Allowed | Limit: up to 5 liters per person, in unopened retail packaging. |
| Over 70% (over 140 proof) | Not allowed | Forbidden in checked and carry-on; leave it at home. |
Airlines follow these federal limits. Some carriers add packaging rules, so glance at your ticketing airline’s restricted items page before you pack. If you’re connecting through the United States, security follows the same strength-based limits.
Bringing Liquor In A Checked Bag: Rules And Exceptions
Unopened matters. Bottles need factory seals. Half-finished spirits and home-filled flasks don’t count as retail packaging. Keep proof under 140. High-proof rum and some overproof grain spirits cross the 70% ABV line and are banned. Size of each bottle is flexible up to the 5-liter total, but most travelers stick to 750 ml or 1 liter bottles.
Age rules apply. In places where 21 is the legal drinking age for air travel with alcohol, only adults may carry liquor in baggage. Label visibility helps. Leave tax stamps and barcodes intact so officers can see the product is for personal use.
Carry-On Vs. Checked: Why It Differs
Carry-on liquids face the 100 ml rule, so full bottles ride in checked bags. Miniatures are fine in carry-on only if each bottle fits the quart-size liquids bag. Serving your own drink on board isn’t allowed; cabin crew control service.
Packing Steps That Prevent Breakage
Glass hates pressure swings and baggage belts. A few cheap supplies and a five-minute pack job will spare your clothes and suitcase. Here’s a safe method.
- Wrap each bottle in a plastic bag or leak-proof sleeve.
- Cushion with soft clothes around the shoulders and base. Avoid outer edges of the case.
- Stand bottles upright inside a rigid insert, wine sleeve, or tight shoe tops.
- Fill dead space so nothing shifts. Use socks or rolled tees as wedges.
- Mark the suitcase as fragile at the counter; it won’t hurt.
- Skip sparkling wine if you can. Pressure plus rough handling risks cork movement.
Duty-Free Purchases On A Connection
Buying after security on an international leg? Sealed duty-free bags often get opened at the first U.S. checkpoint. If you must recheck your bag, place the bottle into checked luggage before continuing. Many travelers lose spirits when they forget this and try to reenter a TSA line with large liquids.
Customs And Allowances When You Land
Baggage rules and customs allowances are different topics. Flight safety rules say what can fly. Customs rules decide what you may bring into a country tax-free and what you must declare. For the United States, the common allowance is one liter per adult, with taxes due on extra bottles. Some territories grant larger allowances. Always declare what you’re carrying; the process is quick and honest declarations prevent delays.
Personal Use Vs. Quantity That Raises Questions
There’s no fixed federal cap beyond the duty-free amount for arrivals to the United States, yet large quantities can look like commercial import. Officers can require permits in that case. Casual travelers bringing a few bottles for gifts or home bars rarely face trouble, but you should be ready to pay duty if you exceed the free allowance.
Label Reading: Proof, ABV, And Bottle Size
Proof equals twice the ABV. A label that reads 80 proof means 40% ABV, which is within the checked-bag limit. Bottles marked 151 proof equal 75.5% ABV and are banned. Standard wine sits near 12% to 15%. Craft liqueurs vary widely; check the fine print near the brand line or back label.
What Counts As Unopened Retail Packaging
Factory seals, tamper strips, and intact caps qualify. Tap-to-pour spouts, resealed corks, and spirit poured into souvenir containers don’t. Keep receipts if possible; they help in rare inspections.
Airline Policies You Should Check
Most carriers mirror federal rules. Some publish extra packing tips or limits on glass count per bag. Others restrict alcohol on certain routes. Check your airline’s restricted items page; it takes one minute and avoids surprises at the counter.
Common Pitfalls And Easy Fixes
| Pitfall | Fix | Heads-Up |
|---|---|---|
| Buying 151 proof rum | Choose 120 proof or lower | Anything over 70% ABV is banned. |
| Forgetting a duty-free bottle at a U.S. recheck | Drop it into your checked bag before TSA | Large liquids get seized at the checkpoint. |
| Packing a half-full bottle | Pack only sealed retail bottles | Opened containers don’t qualify. |
| Loose glass in soft luggage | Use sleeves and firm padding | Movement breaks necks and corks. |
| Skipping the declaration | Declare every bottle | Duty may be small; honesty keeps lines short. |
Quick Answers To Tricky Scenarios
- I’m checking two 1-liter bottles of whiskey.
- Fine, as long as both are sealed and total volume stays under 5 liters per person.
- I found a rare 76% ABV spirit.
- You can’t fly with it in checked or carry-on. Ship by ground with a licensed vendor instead.
- I’m bringing three bottles of wine and two of rum.
- Wine has no FAA limit in checked bags. Keep the rum total under 5 liters and sealed.
- I’m under 21 but my parent is traveling with me.
- Only adults may carry liquor in baggage. The adult should pack the bottles.
- My bottle broke in transit last time.
- Double bag, pad the shoulders, and lock bottles upright in the middle of the case.
Step-By-Step Checklist Before You Zip The Bag
- Confirm ABV is 70% or less for spirits.
- Count total spirits volume: stay at or under 5 liters per traveler.
- Leave bottles sealed with factory caps and strips.
- Pack wine and beer securely; no FAA volume cap, but leaks ruin trips.
- Place each bottle in a plastic barrier and cushion firmly.
- Declare on arrival and pay duty when owed.
Why These Rules Exist
Spirits above 70% ABV ignite easily and behave like fuel if spilled. Strength limits reduce fire risk and standard packaging reduces leaks in cargo holds. Declaration rules help customs track taxes and prevent resale without permits.
Authoritative Sources You Can Check
See the official TSA guidance on alcoholic beverages and the FAA’s PackSafe page for the 5-liter limit and proof cutoff. For U.S. arrivals, customs allowances are outlined by CBP; most adults get one liter duty-free, with taxes on extras.
When Shipping Makes More Sense
If you plan to move a case or two, checked bags stop being handy. Licensed retailers can ship by ground to many regions. That avoids baggage weight limits and fire rules. Rates vary by distance, and adult signatures are required at delivery. For rare bottles, ask the shop to hold and ship after your trip so you’re not rushing at the airport.
International Nuances To Watch
Every country sets its own arrival allowance and drinking age. Duty-free shop bags aren’t a free pass at the next checkpoint. On multi-stop itineraries, treat the first security point after landing as a normal screening. If you’re switching terminals, leave extra time to place large bottles back into a checked bag before re-screening.
Transit Tricks That Save The Bottle
Ask at the gate if your duty-free item will be delivered planeside in a sealed bag. Some airports offer that service, which helps during tight connections. If not, plan on reclaiming and rechecking your suitcase before the next leg.
Real-World Packing Builds
Two-Bottle Weekend Build
Line the bottom of the case with a sweater, place two sealed bottles in separate sleeves, stand them upright between shoes, and wedge with socks at the necks. Finish with a layer of jeans on top. This takes two minutes and handles bumps well.
Six-Bottle Wine Build
Use a foldable foam shipper or six padded sleeves. Stand all bottles upright. Place the shipper in a hard-sided suitcase and fill the edges with tees. Weigh the case to stay under your airline’s checked-bag limit, since glass adds up fast.
Smart Gear For Bottle Travel
- Reusable padded bottle sleeves with double seals
- Inflatable bottle protectors that deflate flat after the trip
- Rigid wine shippers sized for 6 or 12 bottles
- Heavy-duty zip bags for a leak barrier
- A small travel scale to check weight at the hotel
Final Prep Before You Leave The Hotel
Tighten caps, check seals, and give each bottle a mild twist to confirm nothing moves. Place a printed inventory in your suitcase pocket. That helps you declare with clear numbers and saves time at the kiosk. Pack tape and spare bags for quick fixes too.
Pack Smart, Fly Smooth
Choose sealed bottles under the proof cap, pad them well, and declare them on arrival. That’s all you need to bring liquor in a checked bag without delays or spills.