Shipping Wine

First be warned that many merchants may offer to ship wine for you, but unless you know the rules, your wine may end up in Customs. First look at your state laws and what they allow. Most vary widely from allowing any amount down to none. It looks like you are from California, so go here: http://www.abc.ca.gov/permits/importing.html It looks like they allow you to bring back, but not ship wine. Of course now it will need to be checked baggage, I used to just bring a case with me on the plane.

Greetings
I don't think customs checks luggage that often - at least in the actual customs line - but not sure how often bags are checked by security. They're supposed to leave the little slip of paper when they do, but I don't think they do every time. Certainly not like Australia where everything is checked minutely.

Generally, as long as you aren't bringing anything obviously valuable (jewelry etc.) with you or have come back from a place that might raise red flags, as long as you make a reasonable claim on the customs form you should be fine. Unless your whole luggage is wine or you're into REALLY fine vintage, you're unlikely to exceed the $800 limit anyway.

The only thing you should always declare is food items - certain items may seem very innocuous, but laws tend to exist for good reasons. And it's a lot more hassle to get caught then to declare on the form - most times they won't inquire any further unless it's cheese or something that could contain meat.

In my experience, it's not worth the expense. If you find a great bottle and can't live without it, buy it, and pack it carefully in your checked luggage. Wrap all your dirty clothing around the bottle and pack in the middle of your case. Most shops will put your wine in a cardboard box, or wrap it in bubble wrap too.

There are many fine wines in your local shop here in the US. You might also ask the owner to find that wine you had in Europe. Seems like most wineries are exporting now. Bring home the label, or note all the information to help in the search.

another suggestion...some places offer 1/2 bottles. these are easier to transport, and offer 2-3 glasses of wine each.

If you are going to pack wine in your luggage, which is the only viable option nowadays, bring some 2-gallon Ziploc bags with. Put the wine in TWO bags, then wrap it as previously suggested. It would be a shame to have a suitcase full of broken wine bottles and clothes that have just been downgraded to painting clothes.

Great advice, thanks everyone. Unfortunately I can't ship wine to California, so I will have pack it.

On another note, how often does U.S. Cutoms check your luggage? I don't recall it being checked the last time we returned from France.

The US uses a random inspection, so generally, what you declare on your card, they pretty much go with. They do supplement with dogs for drugs and food (the beagles are cute, but crafty). With alcohol, if I am bringing back only a couple bottles of wine, I don't even bother declaring, if it is more like a case (or pre-baggage restriction days, 60 bottles one time) then I do. Even though technically Duty may need to be paid, I have never had to. I think if it is under a certain amount they figure it is not worth the hassle. I have once been randomly checked by the USDA (well, the beagle may have nosed me out) and they take everything out and very closely check. I know the rules, so had no problems.

I bought some wonderful wines in Florence and they were to be shipped to my home. They never arrived! I was so disappointed!! I had paid for the wine with a credit card so I advised the bank of the non shipment before the 90 day time limit and received full credit. Next time I'll carry the wine with me.

If I'm travelling to a country where I know I'll be bringing home a fine bottle of wine, I plan ahead. I like to recycle those lightweight wooden gift boxes that wine sometimes comes in. A single or double fits in my 17' carryon. I don't waste space by filling it with whatever pieces of clothing or shoes. The box beats any other wrapping method I've tried.

I could buy one of these boxes at most wine shoppes but the cost can be a rip off. Some of the best vintage wines I've found have been at Mom and Pop type shops which don't usually carry these boxes.