Alcohol in checked baggage

UPbeekeeper

UPbeekeeper

Well-Known Member
How safe is it to pack alcohol in your checked baggage when flying? I'm reading online about the different guidelines you have to follow regarding limitations, but I'm just wondering if anyone has any feedback (good or bad or indifferent) about having packed alcohol in their checked bag.

We will not be renting a car, so I'd like to have a couple of bottles of wine in our room. Am I right in thinking that the Hess station near DTD sells alcohol? If so, do they sell wine & spirits or just beer?
 
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Monty

Monty

Brilliant...and Canadian
In the Parks
No
From the TSA website:

Carrying Alcohol in Your Checked Baggage

Please note, you can’t take alcoholic beverages with more than 70% alcohol content (140 proof), including 95% grain alcohol and 150 proof rum, in your checked luggage.
You may take up to five liters of alcohol with alcohol content between 24% and 70% per person as checked luggage if it’s packaged in a sealable bottle or flask.
Alcoholic beverages with less than 24% alcohol content are not subject to hazardous materials regulations.

So, a couple of bottles of wine, carefully packed and inside a large plastic bag to catch leakage should one break despite being carefully packed, should be fine.
 
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Sumrdog

Sumrdog

Well-Known Member
I went to France last fall and I brought my sister in law a large bottle of rum. To protect it, I first sealed it up with my foodsaver vacuum sealer. Then I wrapped it in bubble wrap. Then I put the whole thing in a small plastic bag. Then I wrapped the outside of that with packing tape. After 4 flights, 6200 miles and 27 hours of travel it arrived completely unharmed :p.

But I wouldn't do that on a regular basis, she just has a hard time finding Captain Morgan where she lives in France and asked me to bring it. It seems like it might be easier to just buy wine when you arrive. You could get it delivered by Garden Grocer or you could walk over to the Hess from the Boardwalk, we bought some beer and wine from there last time we stayed at the Beach Club and my husband said the price wasn't too high. It was about a half mile walk.

Have fun!
 
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englanddg

englanddg

One Little Spark...
I've taken rum and other drinks on many trips. I prefer getting a few of the plastic bottles of Bacardi (can't remember the size) rum, so I don't have to worry about breakage...but I have also taken glass bottles of Bacardi and other drinks. Never had a problem.

I insulate them between my clothes bags (yes, I'm one of those people who packs pretty much everything into plastic bags). Also, I do seal them using a kitchen vaccuum sealer bag so that if they do break, my whole bag doesn't reek of booze.
 
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Bparso87

Bparso87

Well-Known Member
Be careful bc I have lost stuff in my bags before also they will check to make sure it is what it is they opened my coffee and other stuff last time I packed food stuff
 
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englanddg

englanddg

One Little Spark...
Bparso87 said:
Be careful bc I have lost stuff in my bags before also they will check to make sure it is what it is they opened my coffee and other stuff last time I packed food stuff
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On my trip to Disney in 2012 my bag was not opened (that I know of)...but in 2013 when I went to DLC, by bag had a nice little "we checked your bag" notice inside...but nothing was missing.

As I was going for a week with another adult (had to return early, it was supposed to be a 7 day trip, I was there for 3) I packed 4 bottles that trip, where I normally pack 2 for a 14 day trip...
 
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Hot Lava

Hot Lava

Well-Known Member
I have done it twice, and lucked out both times.

One time, we had brought Tequila back from Mexico. In Mexico, they let us carry it on. Then we had a connecting flight in Ft Lauderdale (a truly awful airport). Long story short, they made us put it in the checked luggage at that point, even though we didn't have to go through security again, only customs. It miraculously came through intact.

I also had my parents bring a bottle of a whiskey I cannot get where I live (for a gift). They packed it in one of those air bubble packages that are designed for wine bottles. Came through fine. My concern also was that someone in TSA or baggage would steal it.

And TSA does not always put the note in. We also ended up with a lock cut off our luggage our last trip - even though it was a TSA approved lock. Although apparently a lot of them know how to pick the lock without setting off the indicator on the locks. And I definitely have had bags searched that no note was left. They do not care and there are no repercussions for pretty much anything they do.
 
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Tiggerfanatic

Tiggerfanatic

Well-Known Member
Good question. I want to pack a couple bottles of wine for the Girls' Cruise in September. I saw in the Sky Mall magazine the last time I flew there was a bag of some sort made specifically for packing liquor in your luggage. I could probably pack it myself with plastic bags and bubble wrap, but I really don't want to take a chance on it breaking, and that would take up a lot more room. Should I buy a couple from there, or does anyone have other suggestions for products they've used?
 
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dreamfinder

dreamfinder

Well-Known Member
It is definitely doable. However as mentioned, pack it very well to protect against breakage (maybe look for the luggage specific shipping materials) and there is always the chance it gets "lost" along the way.
 
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George

George

Liker of Things
BoarderPhreak said:
Pack it well and you'll have no issues. Double-bag it for protection (of your clothes!).
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I've bubble wrapped many a bottle of wine and thrown it in my bag. Never any problem. However, if you're taking big swigs from your bottle of Shiraz they'll try and take it from you when you go through security. Even if you break the bottle and use it as a weapon, it is really hard to fight off more than 3 or so of those TSA jerks, so I don't recommend that.
 
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Sumrdog

Sumrdog

Well-Known Member
Tiggerfanatic said:
Good question. I want to pack a couple bottles of wine for the Girls' Cruise in September. I saw in the Sky Mall magazine the last time I flew there was a bag of some sort made specifically for packing liquor in your luggage. I could probably pack it myself with plastic bags and bubble wrap, but I really don't want to take a chance on it breaking, and that would take up a lot more room. Should I buy a couple from there, or does anyone have other suggestions for products they've used?
Click to expand...

As I mentioned earlier I use the vacuum sealer. I guess not everyone has one in their kitchen but I do. I also use it to seal up my shampoo and conditioner. The plastic bags on those is tough and if your liquid springs a leak it won't get out. Then the bubble wrap over that makes it pretty bomb proof. I haven't seen the bags sold specifically for packing liquor because my method works for me.

Happy packing!
 
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Tiggerfanatic

Tiggerfanatic

Well-Known Member
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