Claiming beer when coming back into the US

Apparently you can bring back up to $800 worth. I'm considering going to Belgium next summer and this is good to know now.

http://www.dutyfreeexpress.com/dutyFreeExemptions.cfm

 

I also take the gamble of assuming whoever may inspect my bags will have no idea that beers inside may be up to 70-80 bucks a bottle. I assume they think a loon is only a buck or two a bottle.

 

beer in duffel bags? That idea makes me cringe. Can't find a cheap hard suitcase anywhere? Shoot, I'd put my clothes in duffel bags and put the beer in my real suitcase... w/ lots of bubble wrap.

Definitely declare it.

 

I thought this would be about touring this place.
http://badbrewing.com/

 

I just flew into Chicago 3 weeks ago with 200lbs in 4 suitcases of nothing but bottles (90ish bottles) Never had a problem. Never claimed anything.

Only problem you might have is if you are the randomly selected person, or a target of interest for the TSA and Homeland security. If thats the case, they cant take anything unless they think it is a threat. But it will make it a hassle to unpack and pack your bag again at the airport.

 

What about Canada?

I've wanted to go to Canada and stock up on as much beer as allowed but I just do not understand the rules for declaring goods brought back into the U.S.

It sucks because some stores have some interesting beers that I've never seen in my life and it would be rad to review some of them at home rather than get drunk at a bar and take risks on the way back.

 

i dunno what your fears are, because if anything, bringing stuff back from canada should be *easier* than from other countries. just don't drive giant trucks full of beer and you'll be fine.

 

International flying is great because you get free bags, but that many bottles seems like it would cause your luggage to be overweight. On a trip to Italy last year, our bag was overweight just from the addition of 4 750 ml bottles. Luckily, the lady at the counter let us slide since we were only over by a couple of kg.

Did you have to pay any fees to carry that much around with you on the planes? Because shipping through Belgian Post is not cost prohibitive as an option for getting beer home.

 

That's what I do too. The nice part is that absolutely no one will question it because no one thinks beer is valuable the way wine is.

 

I'd claim it and lowball the costs as well. Didn't have problems bringing beer back from Australia or Europe with that method, and it's easier to explain if they do end up searching your bag.

 

That's not the answer I was looking for.