Hello All, I'm traveling to the Maldives from Philadelphia (with a day layover in Hong Kong). I'm not much of a hard liquor drinker, so I figure I'd save a ton of money by packing a few nice bottles in our suitcases rather than paying for all-inclusive. I was wondering if anyone has any experience packing beer in your checked luggage and getting it there safely and without any customs trouble. Thoughts?
The Maldives ban the import of alcohol, x-raying all baggage on arrival. Alcoholic beverages are available only to foreign tourists on resort islands and may not be taken off the resort. -Wikipedia
Can't help you with customs but I've never had any issue putting a couple of bottles in a soft shell bag. I ended up buying a wine check bag that holds a 12 bottle styroforam shipper and it works like a charm. http://www.thewinecheck.com/
I've done it a number of times domestically and internationally. All depends on how much you're trying to bring back. I usually bring back 6 or more bottles if I can find them. I take a 750 or 22 oz bomber cardboard case box and put the whole thing in a 20 or 22" suitcase (I usually carry-on on the way there). I typically wrap this in bubble wrap and stuff clothing down in to the empty space. I've transported about 50-60+ bottles successfully so far.
I don't know why you want to go there, but to each his own. You might want to check into this so you don't create a problem for yourself http://wikitravel.org/en/Maldives Importing alcohol, pork or pornography (very broadly defined) into the Maldives is forbidden and all luggage is X-rayed on arrival. On the way out, note that exporting sand, seashells or coral is also forbidden. https://maldives.visahq.com/customs/ Prohibited The following items are prohibited from importing, producing, handling, selling, distributing or giving in Maldives • Religious materials offensive to Islam • Idols (for worship) • Pornographic material • Narcotics and psychotropic substances • Live pigs Restricted • Arms and ammunition • Alcohol and Spirits • Pork and its by-products • Dogs • Dangerous animals • Items allowed to import when accompanied with certificates • Live plants and animals - a valid certificate is required • Medicines - doctor's medical prescription required • Radio & Wireless Communication Equipment should be declared to Customs on arrival for frequency approval from relevant authority. • Plants, Live animals & Birds - A phytosanitary / sanitary certificate(s) are required. In its absence, the items will be confiscated. • All types of video films, movies should be declared to Customs for approval through Government censors.
