We are leaving for Italy in a couple days and we keep getting requests from friends to "bring us back a bottle of real Italian wine". Can you transport wine or alcohol out of the country, pack it in your suitcase and fly it back home? Has anyone mailed wine back to the U.S.?
Posted by
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
113 posts
Does anyone know what the duty would be on extra bottles of wine (over the exemption) brought into Canada?
Posted by
winston salem, nc, usa
1078 posts
Pack it in your suitcase. Have never been hassled about this, and do it every trip. Personally, Grappa is my thing!
Posted by
Los Angeles, CA, USA
1449 posts
first of all, you need to pick the friend you want to bring back wine for. That's because you're only allowed to bring back 1 liter of alcoholic without owing duty. Now if you bring back 2 or 3 bottles I don't think they'll even bother charging you duty as long as you declare it, but if you're thinking of stuffing your suitcase with 6 bottles then they just might. Second, keep in mind wine is about 3lbs per bottle, so its going to add up quick. Third, if you put a few bottles in your luggage and they drop your luggage (ever seen them tossing the luggage as they load it out the airplane window?) if it breaks you're going to have wine-dyed clothing.
If your friends want "real italian wine" I suggest they buy some at a local retailer.
Posted by
Richmond, Ky, USA
278 posts
Cindy, Wife and I went in OCT of 09, and took two small bags with us folded up in the bottom of our carry on bags. We brought back 3 750ml bottles of Grappa, 7 bottles of wine, and 4 bottles of Olive oil. we simply checked our original carry ons, and carried the new bags. I declared everything, had to make an extra stop at the customs counter, and went on my way without paying any duty or tax at all. Absolutely no hassle. Don't ask me why? I am not saying to try it, It probably wont happen that way again. What I can suggest is drink as much as you can while there, and bring the memories back with you. Enjoy, Jeff
Posted by
Salem, Oregon, USA
2731 posts
Prior posters are correct about the hassle factor of bringing back bottles - heavy, liquid, and you do face customs limits regardless of whether others have slipped around them before.
No offense to your friends, but they aren't going on this trip, you are! Bring back what you'd like to for a gift - if you'd rather not hassle (and trust me, I don't), buy a nice, small token gift for your friends, and throw your "welcome home" party with solid Italian reds from Trader Joes or your local wine store.
Posted by
Salem, Oregon, USA
2731 posts
Prior posters are correct about the hassle factor of bringing back bottles - heavy, liquid, and you do face customs limits regardless of whether others have slipped around them before.
No offense to your friends, but they aren't going on this trip, you are! Bring back what you'd like to for a gift - if you'd rather not hassle (and trust me, I don't), buy a nice, small token gift for your friends, and throw your "welcome home" party with solid Italian reds from Trader Joes or your local wine store.
Posted by
Ontario Canada
668 posts
I also put some bubble wrap layed out in the lining of my suitcase to wrap the bottles of wine in as I do put 2 or 3 in my suitcase- Have brought back a total of 7 that way on the last 2 trips.
I agree with the other posters - bring back what you like. We did have 2 dinners with family in which we shared with them some Italian, French and Spanish wines.
Have a great trip.