Transporting Beer on a Plane

I just use zip locks, clothes, and tape. TSA does tend to always open up one bottle but I've never had any problems.

 

I frequently travel with beer and the TSA must get a hard on whenever they see my bags. After returning from DLD12, I opened my bags to find a nice letter from the TSA. They found it important to undo all of my bubble wrap, ziplocs, and tape that was on each bottle of beer. I had two BA DLs just swimming around in my bag with zero protection. I guess southwest is still somewhat gentle with bags, because I didn't have a single broken bottle.

 

I have flown many times with beer in my checked baggage. I used to bubble wrap and tape them. I stopped doing this and just wrap them in my clothes. I've probably done this a dozen or more times and have never had anything break nor have I had TSA mess with them.

 

Last night's episode of "Locked Up Abroad" started the same way

 

They work great, but as said above, it helps to pack clothes around them as well.

 

For Darkness day I built the ultimate beer transportation unit. I took a really big Colman bag, that I'd recently got from the airline after they destroyed my bag coming back from SurlyFest, which was big enough to hold two 6 bottle shippers end to end. I did have to trim the shippers to get them to both fit. I plan on bring it back to Darkness day this year

 

There's motherfucking beer on this motherfucking plane!

 

My $0.02 on traveling with beer...

Some interesting domestic airline policy information:

TSA:
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1189.shtm (already referenced by kscaldef above...)

Delta:
http://www.delta.com/traveling_checkin/baggage/dangerous_goods/index.jsp

United:
http://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/travel/baggage/fragile.aspx

Or if you don't want to read through them yourself:
Take as much alcohol (under 24% ABV) in your CHECKED bags.
Take 5 liters of alcohol (24% - 70% ABV) in your CHECKED bags.
Alcohol above 70% ABV is prohibited (but god only knows why you'd need to check Bacardi 151 or Everclear/Golden Grain in your bags).

Also, interestingly enough, United's policy states: "Up to 3.4 oz. (100 ml) of an alcoholic beverage may be taken through the security checkpoint, provided it is less than 70 percent alcohol by volume, in a container that is 3.4 oz. or smaller, and is carried in a plastic zip-top bag."

These are all general rules, and I would check with your carrier beforehand. I've flown 50+ times with beer in my checked bags to include bottles, growlers and cans. A few broken bottles here and there, but those were a result of lazy/poor packing jobs on my part. In my experience:

• Bubble-wrap is your friend. Use it liberally.
• If you're worried about spillage, put your bottles/growlers in zip-loc or plastic bags.
• Pack tightly. Even bubble-wrapped bottles can break if everything else is loosely packed.
• If you plan on doing this frequently, consider purchasing a luggage scale to help avoid any overweight baggage fees. Most airlines charge extra for any bags over 50 lbs.
• If you plan on bringing back large quantities of beer, consider traveling with an empty duffel bag in your suitcase. On the trip back you can put dirty clothes and such in the duffel, and fill the suitcase with beer.
• Bubble-wrap is your friend. Use it liberally.

Cheers, and travel safely!

 

I always bring beer to and from Germany( we go 2 times a year) in Checked bags and suitcase never had a problem

 

I meant Southwest restriction. Not sure if other airlines have the same.

 

You could probably make something similar for cheaper but this looks like the way to go.
http://www.brookstone.com/the-wine-...rd={keyword}&gclid=CKew5c6gtbECFQFx4AodeSEACg

 

Southwest appears to have exactly the same restrictions as anyone else, which is to say you can check all the beer and wine you want (within weight limits): http://www.southwest.com/html/custo...ml#baggage_special_luggage_pol_tab_list_tab_1

Note that apparently transporting beer is such an unusual thing that they never mention it specifically, but it's clear in context that their policies are simply the TSA policies, plus a requirement that you package things in a way that they don't leak in the case of breakage. In particular, they seem to be explicitly in favor of styro-shippers:

 

I've brought home a large suitcase filled solely with beer and wrapping that had a TSA inspection paper inside it when I landed. The 5L only applies to spirits or maybe Utopia level ABV.

 

How does that work with immigration? Do you claim it and then are subjected to taxes? If so how much are taxes?

I've always wondered this. I once took a couple bottles of rum from Jamaica back in my checked bag. I didn't claim it and TSA never said anything nor searched my bag. It's the only time I've done that on an international flight, so I'm not sure if I just got lucky or that they don't really care.

 

In my recent trip to Europe: going there they didn't appear to care at all about the beer I was carrying. No customs forms on the plane, and the customs check at Charles de Gaulle was a couple guys talking to each other and ignoring the passengers as they walked by.

Returning to the US, there is a form to fill out. We were honest about how much we were bringing into the country. Technically we owed duties, but they are very modest and much of the time the customs officers won't bother taking the time to do the paperwork just to collect a few bucks. In our case, they just told us to go on through.

 

I do not use bubble wrap either. Just put each bottle in two socks. Surround with other clothes. Always travel with 2 suitcases so you can spread weight among checked bags. I have been doing this for years with no issues or breakage, but usually have letter from TSA in bags. Recently brought home 12 port bombers from San Diego to Baltimore and 5 six packs from Denver with no issues. Recent move of craft brew to cans make this much easier.

 

Good idea, but kind of hard when most airlines charge you for checked baggage. I know some charge for all checked luggage, others it's the first bag free. I think Southwest allows 2 checked bags, right?

 

Yes Southwest allows two free checked bags per customer. Flying out of BWI, Southwest is usually the cheapest and direct airline anyway. Plus, it is required when I fly for work.

 

I never claim it just usually take my chances also having my 2 kids along does not hurt if they choose to search