Please explain this to me like I'm a child... (duty free rules)

[lifesabitchandthenyoudie]

I'm travelling from UK to the USA and want to take a half-decent bottle of whiskey with me as a gift (to share 😉). But looking at duty free prices they're not that great! Can I not just take a bottle in my luggage from an ordinary shop? I don't really understand the rules despite trying to find them... feeling a bit thick!

Thank you

Yes, you can buy from a supermarket or where ever and take it with you. You would need to wrap it very, very carefully so it doesn't break. Hold baggage gets thrown around a lot! You won't be able to take it on as hand baggage.
I never find duty free to be cheap nowadays, so totally bypass it when I fly.

Hi, I think the limit for taking liquids through is 100 ml so best off buying at the airport.

It's not real money when shopping at the airport/on holiday though 😉 (I all of a sudden become really rich at the airport and on holiday 😂) (I don't btw, it's one of the few times I think fuck it 😂)

Sorry, I was talking about hand luggage!

As a general rule you can take up to one litre of alcohol into the USA without extra charge so long as you are over the age of 21. It doesn’t need to have been purchased at Duty Free.

You can take in up to five litres but the additional four litres have to be declared at customs and you would have to pay duty.

Some states do impose further rules / limits though so depends on where you’re flying into.

Thank you peeps, that's very helpful!

@snowstorm2012 yes I ALWAYS go over my budget; trying not to start off that way though and save enough for fun times there! CC is going to take a hit though... 'fuck it' is a very good philosophy!

aargh to different states! I'm flying in to Washington State... I imagine a google search will show me what I can take in? I'm a little bit over 21 so it's a good thing I'll have my passport for ID! 😜

Will make sure I have plenty of bubble wrap - I'm also taking in a painting so will have to give it some thought...

Just did a search and yes, I can take in 1 litre (or liter...) Thank you for your responses! Getting excited now... (it's next week and it's to visit family after a 5 year gap so 💃

It's terrible, I treat myself to perfume/nice makeup etc, I never shop like that usually but as soon as I hit duty free, I all of a sudden turn into a wealthy person with a limitless budget 🤣🤣🤣

Have a great time!

@snowstorm2012 thank you! I will x (also I'm going to get the booze before and keep my eyes down through df and walk very fast - will prob get pulled up by security coz I'll look too suspicious...)

I regularly pack some kind of booze in my checked in luggage (I live overseas) cling film (if glass does break it stays in place), bubble wrap, plastic bag sellotaped firmly (liquid will not come out) then either a cardboard box (like Amazon use, also useful for tins of ham!!!) or make a cardboard casing, never had a brakeage yet and I am known as a master packer!

Duty Free really is pretty poor and not what it used to be, just buy it in a supermarket. But you can always just get it at duty free and save a bit on your luggage allowance

@GetUsedToTheHeatAgain thanks for the master-packing advice! will do; luckily most of the whiskey I want comes with its own tube/box so I will wrap it well in the plastic first as well.