I’m aware this has been asked many times before so I apologize however I am in the UK on vacation and I wanted to bring home either 2 bottles of Gin or some Hawkstone lager for my friends and family.
I am aware that you have to be 21+ to even bring in alcohol as a gift but would I be able to put it in prepaid checked baggage, considering that they most likely will not check it and when it goes through X-rays there’s an almost 0% chance that they will look at it and check my age.
Furthermore, if something does happen, what would the punishment be? Will it just be taken or will something else happen?
Ik this is a stupid question but thanks for the help
Edit: I was planning on buying James Gin because I’m a fan of TG and wanted to give it a try, and where I live in the US I cannot buy it nor can I have it shipped to my house.
That being said, I have a family friend of mine who is going out to the UK in about a month and I’m probably just going to ask them if they can buy it and bring it back. Even though there is a high chance of nothing happening I’d rather just go the safe way and have someone who can bring it back do it.
Any liquids like that should go in your checked bags. Worst that would happen is they would confiscate it when you enter the country but I doubt it.
I do know if you buy alcohol and carry it on, you will find after you arrive in the US that TSA will not clear it as a carry on if you have a connecting flight. It can only be in a checked bag at that time.
Tru said: @Cale
Also, OP is a minor. They will certainly get airport police involved.
OP is 20 yrs old and you can only bring 100ml of liquid per container whether it’s checked in or carry on. Also the only allowed alcohol that you can bring is from a duty-free, unopened and sealed, with receipt.
@Janevargas
And the legal age in the US is 21. See the US government website:
Generally, one liter per person may be entered into the U.S. duty-free by travelers who are 21 or older. Additional quantities may be entered, although they will be subject to duty and IRS taxes.
It is illegal for travelers under the age of 21 to import alcohol – even as a gift.
Why would you bother? On the one hand it could work, on the other hand your name, age, nationality are available when they are screening the bags so they may or may not check that. Its not really worth it for some gin you could get in the US anyways.
It’s illegal. You absolutely risk confiscation at best, possibly denied entry/flagged denial for re-entry. Outside of import laws, it is flat out illegal in the United States for a minor to possess alcohol.
Do you really want your first action in a foreign country to be breaking their laws on arrival, and hoping they won’t notice?
You risk messing up your ability to travel here not just now, but in the future. Is that worth a couple bottles of gin?
Per US Embassy site:
Generally, one liter per person may be entered into the U.S. duty-free by travelers who are 21 or older.
It is illegal for travelers under the age of 21 to import alcohol – even as a gift.
The total amount of alcohol you may enter the country with is primarily determined by the laws of the state where you will arrive back into the U.S. Each State sets the amount of alcohol a person may bring in without a license or permit from that state. Travelers must check with the individual States.
Also - this isn’t a travel hack. You’re asking how to get away with something illegal. Lol.
The TSA posts online how much the limits are in carry-on/checked bags and how much is allowed depending on the type of alcohol (yes, they are that petty).
I would re-think this idea. Firstly, if you are connecting to another flight on the US side, at the first port of entry you have to collect your luggage and go through customs with it. At that point there is certainly a more than 0% chance that customs will know your age. More crucially, the first set of questions you will get if you are stopped is something like “Is this your bag? Did you pack it yourself? And are you aware of the contents?” A no to any of those will be a big red flag and a yes, followed by a search could get you anything from a charge for importing alcohol as a minor, a slap on the wrist, or confiscation. Under federal law you are a minor and not allowed to possess alcohol. And although you might think it’s a trivial thing, unfortunately, minors and alcohol trigger a lot of ‘officials’. Also, once through customs and out of the airport, you are still a minor in possession of alcohol… Finally, as an adult you are permitted to bring 1 liter of alcohol without paying duty. You might get away with it, but you might not…
It’s not a problem with TSA if the liquid is in your checked bags, but it’s a problem with customs. Technically, you’re supposed to declare all food/alcohol at customs when you enter the US. I’m not sure if people really do this every time, but from what I understand you are supposed to. It does not matter that it’s in your checked bag because the way customs works in the US, you will pick up your bags once you arrive in the US even if you have a connecting flight, so you’re technically coming through customs with all your luggage. If you fail to declare and they randomly check your bag, you could get in trouble for a false declaration, which could be subject to a fine/additional issues next time you come into the US (i.e., it could result in more than them just taking it away). Normally packaged food/alcohol is not a problem; just declare and they will let you through without even checking. However, being under 21, you will not be allowed to bring alcohol into the US so you would probably have an issue if you try to declare. It’s up to you if you want to take your chances and not declare it — it’s unlikely they would check your bag. But beware of the effects of a false declaration. My friend got barred from ever applying for global entry because she failed to declare a sandwich. Plus, the fact that you would be in possession of alcohol underage. I would not risk it, personally. If you do choose not to declare, make sure you don’t have any additional food items in your bags, as sometimes they have dogs sniffing for food, and this could result in them opening up your bag.
@Taran
I feel like it didn’t come through enough in my original comment—just don’t do it lol. If caught, you’d likely be dealing with the combined effects of local police for possession of alcohol underage + customs & immigration for a false declaration. Why risk it for 2 bottles of gin?