Liquors/Wines, bringing them back to the USA from France

I'm going off my imperfect memory, but I seem to recall that importing a small amount of alcohol for "personal use" is fine, but if it excedes the 3 ounce rule, you must store it in your checked luggage. What amount constitutes "personal use", I'm not sure.

From the Customs & Border Patrol website, about alcohol: https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/190/related/1 and about food: https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/82/session/L3NpZC9adjFJN1gybA%3D%3D/search/1

You might also read the TSA rules on liquor purchased at duty-free shops overseas. http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/duty_free_travel_alert.shtm

This was a timely post for me. Any ideas on how to pack the wine to bring it back? I was thinking I could only bring two back, but here in Texas it looks like I can up to three gallons. Hmm, not sure how to get more that two or three in my suitcase.

Use some bubble wrap or a styrofoam container. Don't count on your clothes themselves to provide adequate cushioning, or your suitcase might come down the luggage conveyor dripping red wine. Don't ask me how I know.

The amount you can bring in for personal use is determined by the law of the state where you live, but federal law still governs the amount of duty. Generally,ump to a case of wine is considered OK for " personal use", so the Texas three-gallon limit is about the same. Just remember that you will pay duty on every bottle over the one you are allowed as duty-free.

I have found that I can pack up to 6 bottles of wine in a typical carry on size roller bag that then must be checked. This keeps it under the weight limit for most airlines and allows enough padding to protect the load. Most wine bottles also are pretty durable and thick walled with a heavy bottom and punt(the dimple) which strengthens the bottle. I would shy away from any bottles that have a flat bottom and thin walls. As for packing, you biggest danger is something hard impacting the bottle. Clothes can work, but make sure you have the ends covered. I save plastic shopping bags, use smaller clothing items to wrap the ends, then roll in a pant or shirt and put it all in a plastic bag. If you can get bubble wrap, that works great, there are also both stryofoam forms you can get from wineries, or if you want to plan ahead, I have seen inflatable bags for wine bottles you can take with you. When packing in the bag, use a layer of clothes on the bottom, a layer on all four sides, and one on top, besides the individually wrapped bottles. Knock on wood, but I have never lost a bottle yet. Beyond that, you can bring back a small number of bottles duty free, but there really is no Federal limit. Your state has limits, and there is some disagreement whether Federal Customs Agents enforce State Laws, I suppose they may for the state you land in and that is your final destination, but they certainly do not review compliance to 50 plus sets of rules, or in my case, they have never reviewed against Iowa laws. Do make sure you declare your wine on customs forms, although you will be above your "duty free" limit it is very unlikely you will be required to pay the small duty owed.

Take along a few "wineskins" which is bubble wrap in the shape of a bottle. http://www.wineskin.net/ Or if you are buying from a winery, they may have a box with styrofoam that they would ship the wine in , but you could check the box as carryon. We often travel with wine when we leave California, and have yet to lose a bottle in either a checked suitcase (wrapped in bubble wrap) or wine packed a box meant for UPS/Fed ex.
Also duty on wine is very minimal, so even if you exceed the duty-free limit, it's not likely that customs will take the time to collect a couple of bucks.