Getting your bottles home: luggage, shipping and the rules

Option 1: checked luggage

For most travellers, this is the simplest option.

• Pack well. Use padded or inflatable bottle sleeves, wrap bottles in clothes, keep them in the centre of a hard-shell case, and put each one in a sealed plastic bag in case of leaks.
• Check strength limits. Under aviation rules widely applied by airlines, drinks over 70% ABV cannot be carried at all. Drinks between 24% and 70% are limited to 5 litres per person, in unopened retail packaging. Most whiskies, including cask strength, are under 70%, but check the label. See the FAA PackSafe guidance and your airline's own rules.
• Check weight. A bottle of wine weighs about 1.2–1.5 kg. Six bottles can push a case over its allowance.

Option 2: hand luggage

Liquid limits for cabin bags apply at security, and they vary by airport. Bottles bought airside, after security, are usually sealed in a tamper-evident bag with the receipt. Keep it sealed until you reach your final destination, because on connecting flights you may have to go through security again.

Option 3: shipping

• Post offices are restrictive. At the time of writing, Royal Mail does not accept spirits (over 24% ABV, which includes whisky) for international destinations. Wine and beer up to 24% may be accepted only in small quantities with strict packing rules, and only where the destination country allows it. Other postal services have their own lists. Check the current prohibited items list before you post anything.
• Ask the producer. Many distilleries, wineries and specialist shops ship to certain countries through licensed couriers. Ask before you buy. Coverage depends entirely on the destination.
• Import rules decide. The destination country may charge duty and tax on delivery, require an importer licence, or not allow consumer shipments of alcohol at all. In the United States, rules vary by state.

Duty and allowances

How much you can bring home without paying tax depends on where you are flying to, not where you bought it. See our careful summary of duty-free allowances, and always check the current official rules.