Can I Bring Unopened Alcohol In My Checked Bag? | Clear Packing Rules

Bringing Unopened Alcohol In Checked Luggage: Rules And Limits

Air rules split alcohol by strength. Spirits above 70% alcohol by volume are off limits in any bag. Bottles from 24% to 70% ABV can travel in a checked bag, capped at five liters total per person, and the bottles must stay sealed in retail packaging. Drinks at or under 24% ABV sit in a different lane: there’s no FAA quantity cap in checked luggage, though an airline can set space or weight limits. These bands come straight from the FAA PackSafe guidance and the TSA item page.

“Unopened” means the factory seal is intact. A souvenir cork, tape around a cap, or a pop-top with scuffs won’t qualify if the closure shows tampering. A half-finished bottle can’t go in checked bags under the 24%–70% rule; pack only sealed retail bottles. If you’re traveling with homemade wine or a local craft spirit, use a proper, closed retail-style container with a tight cap to keep pressure swings from lifting the closure.

Quick Reference: What’s Allowed In A Checked Bag

The matrix below shows the core checked-bag rules for unopened alcohol by strength and packaging.

Security rules sit on top of airline weight limits and breakage risk. Many travelers add molded bottle sleeves or a padded wine shipper inside the suitcase. If space is tight, soft layers of clothes around each bottle add cushion and help absorb shock from baggage belts. For carry-on toiletries and minis, a refresher on the liquids rule keeps you moving at the checkpoint.

Why ABV Bands Matter For Checked Luggage

Alcohol strength drives both the fire risk and the packaging standard. Above 70% ABV, vapors ignite easily, so those products are treated like forbidden flammable liquids on passenger aircraft. Between 24% and 70%, risk is managed by keeping containers sealed and capping the total per passenger at five liters. At 24% or less, risk falls sharply, so beer and wine don’t carry an FAA cap in checked bags. Airlines still control what fits, so check your allowance if you plan to bring a case home.

Packaging matters as much as proof. “Retail packaging” means the bottle as sold, with a label and a tight closure. Decanting into a flask or a plastic water bottle breaks the rule and invites a bag search. Keep labels visible and leave factory tamper bands in place until you reach your destination.

Duty-Free Purchases, Layovers, And Re-Screening

Duty-free shops in the secure area sell liquor in sealed bags. That helps on direct flights. If your itinerary includes a U.S. connection where you’ll exit to reclaim and recheck bags, place duty-free liquor into your checked suitcase before you re-enter the checkpoint. The 3-1-1 limit still caps carry-on containers to 3.4 ounces unless the item remains in an accepted tamper-evident bag for that specific checkpoint, and acceptance can vary. The safer move is to shift large bottles to checked luggage at the connection.

On arrival in the United States, customs rules sit apart from security screening. Travelers age 21 or older can bring about one liter duty-free; larger amounts are usually fine for personal use but may be taxed, and state laws at the arrival airport can add restrictions. See the CBP duty-free allowance for details and bring receipts to speed the process.

Packing Method That Protects Bottles

Glass hates impact and torsion. Lay each bottle in the center of the bag, not against the shell. Wrap with a sweater or bubble wrap, then slide into a leak-proof sleeve or a zip bag. Place shoes or a toiletry kit at the ends to stop movement. If you’re moving mixed bottles, split weight across bags. A hard-side suitcase helps with crush protection; a thin-walled spinner flexes more when stacked.

Pressure changes can lift a weak cork. For wine, a tight screw cap travels best. If you must check a corked bottle, keep it upright inside a padded cylinder. Give the wine a day to settle before opening so the bottle can recover from temperature swings and rough handling.

Age, Serving Rules, And Airline Policies

Airlines won’t serve alcohol to anyone under 21 on U.S. flights. You also can’t serve yourself on board; only the crew may pour drinks under 14 CFR § 121.575. Bringing your own mini bottles for a midair toast breaks airline policy and federal rules, so keep personal stock sealed until you land.

Some carriers cap the number of bottles they’ll accept when a bag bumps against weight limits. Others restrict checked glass on certain regional aircraft where bin space and loading angles raise break risk. If you plan to check a full five liters of spirits, look up your airline’s baggage page and weigh your suitcase at home.

Close Variants: Unopened Alcohol In Checked Bag Rules By Scenario

Domestic Roundtrip

Flying within the United States keeps you under one rule set. Pack sealed bottles inside a hard-side bag, pad well, and follow the ABV bands. If you buy on arrival for the return flight, leave time for secure packing before you head back to the airport.

International Trip With U.S. Connection

Move duty-free bottles into checked luggage before your connecting checkpoint. That avoids 3.4-ounce carry-on limits and removes guesswork around tamper-evident bags that some checkpoints accept and others don’t.

Gifts, Souvenirs, And Limited Editions

Gift packaging looks great but eats space. Remove outer boxes at the shop and lay the bottle flat with protective wrap. Photograph the label and receipt in case a bag search needs a quick explanation at arrival.

Math Check: How Much Fits Under The 5-Liter Cap

The table below shows common bottle sizes and how many fit under the five-liter limit for 24%–70% ABV spirits.

Where External Rules Still Apply

State alcohol laws at your arrival airport can restrict what you bring in, even when you stay inside federal safety rules. Some states limit high-proof sales or set taxes that apply on entry. U.S. territories and foreign destinations run their own customs thresholds, so personal-use limits vary by country. When in doubt, check both your airline baggage page and the customs site for your final stop.

Smart Packing Extras That Help

Tools That Reduce Breakage

Dedicated bottle sleeves, inflatable wine protectors, and molded foam inserts keep glass from clashing in transit. A roll of painter’s tape secures screw caps without residue. A large trash bag lines the main suitcase compartment as a last layer against leaks.

Paperwork That Speeds Your Exit

Keep store receipts together and snap a photo of the bag before you close it. That helps during an inspection and backs up a claim if a bottle breaks. If you split a purchase across two bags, make a note of which bottles are in each suitcase so you can answer questions without digging.

Final Checks Before You Pack

Confirm the ABV on every label, tally liters for spirits between 24% and 70%, and keep everything sealed until you reach your hotel or home. Wrap each bottle well, keep them centered in the suitcase, and weigh the bag to avoid fees. If you’re connecting through a checkpoint, move duty-free bottles into checked luggage before you re-screen. For carry-on questions about toiletries and other liquids, a quick pass through the liquids rule helps you breeze through.

Want a full walkthrough of alcohol rules across bag types? Try our alcohol on planes explainer.