Has anyone taken more than the allowance of alcohol into the US and paid duty on it?

[mynameisnotkate]

We're shortly (Covid permitting!) going to be going to the US and we want to take several bottles of spirits with us as presents - things the family like that you can't get out there. The allowance per person is one litre, and we want to take more than this. I think this means we go through the red channel in customs and pay excess duty on it, which as far as I can see is a couple of dollars. Has anyone done this? Is it straightforward or something that will be a huge pain at customs?

I’ve often taken more than allowed (even when under age, 21 to drink in the US). I’ve never declared it. Just put it in checked bags and strolled on through.

Hmm, I guess we could do that. I’m kind of scared of US immigration though!

Yeah. I nearly got jailed by trying to make a joke with US customs! My bad. Never did it again.

I have. I declared it. There's no red channel, only one place where they take your customs form. Declare it on there and mention it as you hand in the form. I had a couple of extra bottles and they just waved me through.

@mynameisnotkate

Hmm, I guess we could do that. I’m kind of scared of US immigration though!

Immigration is before Customs so you’ll have done the scary bit already.

What are you bringing?

Just dont have any food in the bag- such as Christmas cakes as the sniffer dogs are set on the queue to find them. Alcohol won't smell.