Yes—duty-free alcohol can go in carry-on when bought past security or sealed in a STEB on inbound links; otherwise big bottles belong in checked bags.
Airline liquor rules can feel messy: size limits at security, strength limits for baggage, and special treatment for duty-free bags. This guide puts the moving parts in one place, step by step, so you can get that bottle home without drama.
Carry-On Vs. Checked: Alcohol Rules At A Glance
| Item | Carry-On | Checked Bag |
|---|---|---|
| Beer & wine (≤24% ABV) | Must meet 3.4-oz/100-ml liquids rule unless bought after security | No quantity cap from ABV; pack well |
| Spirits 24–70% ABV | Only in 3.4-oz minis in the quart bag, or duty-free past security/STEB on inbound links | Up to 5 liters per traveler in retail packaging |
| Over 70% ABV | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Duty-free in STEB | Allowed on inbound international connections if sealed with receipt | Always allowed; safer for tight transfers |
| Opened bottles | Not allowed | Allowed if sealed tight; expect inspection |
| Mini bottles | Must fit the quart liquids bag; don’t drink on board | Allowed |
Bringing Duty-Free Alcohol In Carry-On: Real-World Rules
Two questions decide your play: where the bottle was bought and whether you’ll re-screen. If you bought duty-free after clearing security at your departure airport, you can carry it onto that flight. If you land in the United States from abroad and need to clear security again for a connection, a sealed tamper-evident bag (STEB) with the item and the same-day receipt usually keeps you eligible at the checkpoint. TSA liquids guidance explains the STEB exception for inbound connections.
What A STEB Looks Like
A STEB is a clear, heavy plastic bag with a colored tamper strip. Staff at the shop place the bottle and receipt inside, close the strip, and hand it to you sealed. Agents can see the contents on X-ray. If the seal shows damage, or the receipt isn’t visible through the plastic, expect extra screening. Keep it clean, keep it flat, and don’t add anything else inside.
What Security Checks
At re-screening, officers look for an intact seal, a matching same-day receipt, and a container that can be cleared by X-ray or a quick trace test. If the item can’t be cleared, you’ll be asked to check it. That’s why a simple retail box is your friend when connection time is short.
When To Skip Carry-On And Check It
Carry-on is handy, but it isn’t always the winning move. If you have a short layover, a full flight, or a fragile decanter, checked luggage keeps the line moving and protects the glass. Re-checking after customs is the perfect moment to move a STEB into the suitcase, add padding, and be done with it.
Alcohol Content Limits Still Apply
Security and baggage rules do different jobs. Checkpoint size limits deal with liquids screening, while baggage limits deal with flammability. For checked luggage, spirits between 24% and 70% ABV are capped at five liters per traveler, and they must be in unopened retail packaging. Beer and wine at or under 24% ABV aren’t capped by volume in checked bags, though airlines still care about weight and breakage. Anything over 70% ABV is off-limits in any bag.
In carry-ons, anything over 3.4 ounces must come from a shop past security or ride in a STEB on an inbound connection. Mini bottles must fit in your single quart-size bag. And one more thing: flight crews are the only folks allowed to serve alcohol on board, so your minis stay sealed unless a crewmember serves them.
Connections Change Your Options
Nonstop flight? Easy—buy after security and carry it on.
International to U.S. with a connection? You’ll claim checked bags, clear immigration and customs, then re-check and go back through security. Keep the bottle inside a sealed STEB with the same-day receipt visible. If the bag is opened or the item alarms, expect to check it.
U.S. domestic connection after duty-free abroad? The same STEB rule applies at the U.S. checkpoint that follows customs. If you’re nervous or time is tight, move the bottle to checked luggage at the re-check counter and skip the drama.
Age, Customs And How Much You Can Bring Home
To enter the United States with alcohol, you must be at least 21. Most travelers may include one liter in their personal exemption without duty, and you can bring more for personal use if you’re willing to pay duty and your arrival state allows it. Rules on quantities, labeling, and shipping vary, and states set their own limits on what’s legal to import by travelers. See the CBP alcohol allowance for details.
Airline Rules And Crew Policies
Cabin crew handle service for safety reasons. You can carry sealed minis through security if they fit the quart bag, but you can’t open or pour them on board. If you’d like a drink, ask the crew and they’ll serve it in a proper cup. Opening personal liquor can bring penalties under federal rules, so don’t risk it.
Duty-Free Shop Tips And Country Nuances
Airport shops know about transfers, and the best ones pack with connections in mind. Ask the cashier to place the receipt inside the bag with the label facing out, and request a second outer bag for extra scuff protection. If your route has two re-screens, let them know; they may double-seal the strip and add a clear sticker across the top. Many regions accept STEBs at major hubs, yet screening calls still happen case by case. A tidy, sealed bag and a plain retail box keep things simple.
Heat and time also matter. On long layovers, keep the bag away from direct sun and cabin heaters to protect the adhesive. If your seal curls or lifts, move the bottle to checked luggage before the next checkpoint. If you’re switching airlines mid-trip, confirm carry-on size at the gate; a small regional jet can force you to gate-check, and a sturdy personal item guards the bottle better than a thin shopping sack.
Packing Tips That Save Your Bottle
Retail duty-free packaging is a start, not armor. Add bubble wrap or a padded sleeve, and place the bottle in the center of clothing near the wheels for shock protection. A large zip bag around the box helps contain leaks. If you’re carrying it on from a post-security shop, keep the STEB sealed and stash the bag under the seat rather than the overhead when space allows—less jostling, fewer broken seals.
For checked bags, line the bottom with soft layers, nest the bottle upright inside shoes or a travel sleeve, and fill voids so nothing rattles. Tape the cap, slip the box into a thick plastic bag, then wrap it in a sweater. Hard-side suitcases give better crush resistance than soft shells.
Minis, Mixers, And Drinking On Board
Travel-size bottles are handy for gifts and tastings. In carry-ons they count toward the quart-bag allowance, and they stay closed on the aircraft unless a crewmember serves them. Mixers like tonic, bitters, or syrups count as liquids at the checkpoint, so either buy them after security or pack travel sizes in the quart bag. If you want a cocktail in the air, order from the cart and let the crew pour it.
Transit Scenarios And What Works
| Trip Type | Carry-On Works When… | Risk / Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Nonstop international | Bought after security at departure | Low risk; keep receipt |
| Intl → U.S. with re-screen | STEB sealed with same-day receipt | If opened or opaque, move to checked at re-check |
| Long layover | Leave STEB sealed; protect from heat | Seal damage can void the exception |
| Domestic feeder, then long-haul | Buy at final hub after security | Skip early purchase to avoid extra screening |
| Return trip with gifts | Pack gifts in checked bag at origin | Less stress at connections |
| Opaque souvenir bottle | Carry only if STEB scans clean | Be ready to check if screening can’t clear it |
Common Mistakes That Get Bottles Pulled
Breaking the STEB seal. If you open the bag in transit, the carry-on exception evaporates.
No receipt or wrong date. Officers need to see proof it was bought in the secure area on the same travel day.
Over-proof spirits. Over 70% ABV isn’t allowed in cabin or hold.
Drinking your own. Serving alcohol is the crew’s job, and self-service can get you fined and grounded.
Loose packing. A clinking bottle in a half-empty bag is asking to crack.
Quick Checklist Before You Buy
Plan your route: nonstop or connection? If you’ll re-screen, a STEB makes carry-on possible. Check the label for ABV, choose clear retail glass, and keep the receipt accessible. If anything looks dicey—tight layover, fragile bottle, or multiple re-screens—send it in a well-padded checked bag. That keeps your souvenir safe and your trip smooth.
Final Call
You can bring duty-free alcohol in a carry-on when you buy after security or you’re arriving from abroad with a properly sealed STEB. For checked bags, mind the ABV caps and pack like a pro. With a little planning, you land with your bottle intact, zero checkpoint surprises, and truly smooth start to finish.