want to bring back wine but not 21

From the US Customs website: "...It is not legal for travelers under the age of 21 to import alcohol - even as a gift..." http://tinyurl.com/lmfnu6b

It's lovely that your daughter wants to do that, but U.S. Customs and Border Protection says: Generally, one liter of alcohol per person may be entered into the U.S. duty-free by travelers who are 21 years of age or older....It is not legal for travelers under the age of 21 to import alcohol - even as a gift. https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/190/~/bringing-alcohol-(including-homemade-wine)-to-the-u.s.-for-personal-use

Depending on where she buys it, they may be able to ship it directly to you. No idea what that costs.

While Micheal has no idea what the cost, and neither do I, I do know that it will be expensive. If she has a special wine she wants to bring back, she could ask the wine seller if that wine is imported to the US and who the importer is. Might be add to find it through a local wine store and it might be cheaper. And to add to the insult, as an OK resident you are required to report any imported wine to the state government.

You may want to also check that your state allows wine to be shipped in by individuals. I heard a while ago that not all states do allow it. This is starting to sound like it would be costly and a bit of a hassle. As nice as the idea is, maybe you could suggest something you would like equally as much that would be less troublesome for her to bring back for you.

She could meet someone older there, get married, and bring him home to meet... No?

Didn't that happen in a couple movies ... Oh yeah, 'Father of the Bride' and 'Summertime', though poor Katherine Hepburn couldn't quite cope... :)

If there are some wines she especially likes and wants to share with you, have her record the type, vintage and vinyard. Once home, you can both visit a good wine shop and search/ask for similar wines. You probably won't find the exact vineyard match, but you'd be surprised at how many types and vintages are imported to the US. It's basically what I did on my return from studying abroad (I too was only 20). You'll have to buy your own present but it might make for a fun mother daughter experience.

While not legal, chances of her being caught are almost zero. Millions of people bring home a bottle of wine in their checked bags - I've yet to see anyone in the USA customs line checking passport ages for wine. Actually in the 25 years I've been traveling to Europe I've seen exactly zero such instances. Even if she is caught, the only thing that's going to happen is the wine will be confiscated.

While not legal, chances of her being caught are almost zero. That's a bit of a stretch. US customs does do hand baggage searches on a certain percentage of incoming passengers. If they discover the alcohol it doesn't take a genius to match a DOB....it's right there in the passport. Customs agents weren't born yesterday;) While the most they will do is confiscate the booze (assuming it is de-clared on the customs form-if not there might be a fine), there is a chance that the incident will be entered into their database. My brother was caught with Cuban cigars he tried to smuggle in from Canada. They confiscated it and every time he now reenters the US he is taken aside for a hand search.

Thanks everyone! I especially love the bring back the Italian man idea haha!! I will have her take pictures of the labels of all the wines she loves and we will go on a search for them. Darn that 21 age limit thing!! That's going to be one of the hardest parts of coming back for her. They've loved getting to stop at cafes and order wine.

I think suggesting that suggesting that one try to circumvent the law (in this case by attempted smuggling) is prohibited on these boards.

Go back with her when she's 21.

Hi Anne, I'm sure that your daughter will would be disappointed not being able to bring you back some Italian wine as a gift. Perhaps you could suggest a gift of olive oil and balsamic vinegar. That would give her a goal to sample and shop for a special gift for you and tasting experiences that she might have missed otherwise. Just a thought.

Thanks Sherry! Balsamic vinegar is a good thought. We both love that!