Bringing back cans in luggage

I have done it and had no issue. I tend to like to individually put each can in a ziplock bag beforehand in case of any breakage. Then I bubble wrap them all together.

 

OP can correct me if I am wrong, but he/she appears to be asking if anyone has ever taken a case of cans still in the box and bubble-wrapped the whole box and then placed in suitcase (rather than wrapping each can individually)?

I have never done it this way, but if I did, I would place whole thing in contractor trash bag and tie it off tightly.

 

Agreed. I'd try to really cinch the bubble wrap as tightly as possible and then -- since I'm guessing you've been staying at a hotel -- I'd just ask the front desk for a large trash bag to put the case in on the off-chance something gets dinged.

My standing suggestion -- and practice -- for packing beer in luggage is to include a note addressed to TSA that lies on top and says something along the lines of, "This is beer. I respect your need to do your job and understand if you believe you need to get a better look. I would humbly ask, if you do unwrap this, that you return everything to the state in which you found it so that it continues safely on its journey. Thanks!" Yes, it's suck-up; however, I've had good luck <<knocking on wood>> with that approach (vs. getting the cans/bottles simply thrown back in the suitcase on top of the Ziplock bags they had been in).

 

I had included a note that said:
"This is ALL beer (yes, all beer...) that was purchased at (store name and location)"
and I included the receipts tucked in. It was a VERY small town and even smaller airport. But they packed that thing back together expertly. I can tell which things were unwrapped. But to say it was like a jigsaw puzzle getting it all to fit was an understatement, and they put it back like champs.

 

Flew to French Polynesia for my honeymoon with an entire suitcase of cans. Bubble wrapped and plastic wrapped them together. Filled empty space with more bubble wrap. Everything arrived safely.

 

I know this reply is outdated for the OP's need, but definitely put them in Ziplocs with a TYPED note. Most people's handwriting is hard to read and it will make a difference to the security folks. I did this coming back from Europe and the person(s) who got into the bag even wrote a small note thanking me for making it easier for them. I cannot begin to stress the need to Ziploc, though. The jostling and changes in air pressure in the holds can have some disastrous results, especially for cans. It rarely happens, but why chance it?

 

I have twice packed a case of cans and just put another cardboard case container over the top and fitted it down tightly, taped that together, and then stuck the case between clothing/towels in my suitcase. Works just fine. Packed one for my brother and he did get a TSA sticker on it but they did not have to pull it apart or anything.

 

I'd save myself the trouble and wrap and pack and send by Fed Ex. Might cost a bit more , but I wouldn't have to pull around a suitcase full of beer.

 

I brought back 21 cans from Connecticut to Chicago in a check-in suitcase. Wasn't even well packed. Just padded with clothes. Got a TSA notice in the suitcase, but everything arrived safe and intact.

Have done this with bottles from San Francisco to Chicago (brought back 19 bottles). Packed a bit better but everything made it fine (again, with TSA notice).

Will definitely do it again.

 

This is also dependent on your flights too, so consider that. Do you have a layover or two? More time for your bags to be handled, jostled, thrown, drop, crushed. Direct flight? You probably have a bit better of a chance.

I am flying direct from mid michigan to DFW in september, and might not pack them quite as extensively as other times as it is a short, direct, flight.