Okay, I haven't traveled out of LHR since the 3-1-1 nonsense has started.
So, I'm past security in T3, on my way to my gate, when the single malt scotches are calling to me from the Duty Free Shops.
If I buy a bottle at duty-free, can I take it on board? If not, how do they expect me to get it home? Thanks
After security you can buy anything and take it on. Duty-free purchases of, say, scotch would most likely be sealed in a special package for you to carry onboard. I have also seen cases where you turn in your duty-free alcohol at the gate, and it's stored for you and returned when you get off the plane.
Frank.
You can take whatever you buy onboard but if you have a layover and have to go through security again i think you will have to put the liquid in you checked baggage... but if it is a direct flight you should be fine
Christy is right. If it's not a direct flight, you will have to put it in your checked luggage before your ongoing flight.
I didn't think about changing flights...and since my preferred airline won't let me us FF miles on direct flights from my home city to Europe anymore, I guess "duty free scotch" will have to stay on the shelf. (I only travel with carry-on.)
In my experience, the salespeople at LHR (Don't you love a store called "World of Whisky"?) will exaggerate what you can take on the plane. KNow the US customs rules. And then, you might be surprised by local law when you land. At customs in Phoenix, AZ, they had big signs saying that any liquor over a fifth would be confiscated. Of course, duty free comes in liters.
I agree w/Doug know the rules. Unfortunately, on my last trip back from Ireland I had my first problem w/trying to get by 'duty-free' items thru from Boston to Washington.
I had a bit of a problem w/American Airlines w/my duty free bags (i had one and my 73 yr old mother/mam had one); but the problem did not occurr until I was about to board my flight to Washington. Went right thru all the security, and thru multiple check points. No mention of anything along the way. We get to the point of boarding... oh did I tell you our flight in from Ireland was late due to back up of flights on the tarmac at Logan? We circled Logan for about an hour. We had to hurray to get to our American Airlines flight. I didn't even want to buy and bring home the 'drink' home, but my mam insisted we HAD to get it...it was.. after all .. a DEAL. We get stopped at the gate to get onto our flight and were told we had to go all the way back and check in the bags; which held 2 bottles of wiskey. oh, yeah.. like they wont break? Well I was about to dump it! Luckly, there was a kind supervisor felt sorry for me... and allowed us to board w/these bags. I just gave you the quick storey... it was a Nightmare. My irish granny was the same way... I remember her lugging all kinds of duty-free bags of 'drink'...when she would visit from Ireland. I swear we still have wiskey she brought to the States in the 80's. Maybe that is where my mam got it from? LOL!
Last time I was in LHR there was some deal where you could buy liquor and have it put in some special duty free sealed bag so it could be transported as a carry on to a connecting flight in the EU and maybe in the U.S. (as long as you didn't leave the secure area). That is, I think that's what I read. Didn't bother with it myself. Anyone out there know more about this/any experience with it? I've got to believe the merchants are trying something like this.
