I'm going to be flying to Europe in December and was trying to figure out the best way to transport beer. I was thinking about sending a 12 bottle shipper to Norway with a few beers to share. Do you think the beer will get there safe and sound? How strict typically are customs in the continent? I plan on also bringing an extra bag just to fill with beer and check in for my flight back to the states. Do you think this would be the most economical route of transporting the beer? Any insight would be appreciated as this will be my first time doing this. Thanks!
Customs here depend on the country you're going to. If it is EU, they normally don't care what you bring - and as 16l of beer are allowed to bring, nothing to worry about! BUT: Norway and Switzerland are not part of the EU - they have much stricter rules about the beer/alcohol allowance. Just let us know from where to where you're travelling - that might be very important! Are you flying direct to Norway? Or are you changing at an EU-airport??
That's a bummer. I'm flying directly to Norway. I'm considering just send a 12 bottle shipper and filling it with packaging supplies for the beer I'll be bringing back and putting bottles in my baggage instead. I'm going to Amsterdam two days after I land though.
For the Norwegian customs better ask in the Scandinavian Forum - they have experiences with Norwegian customs and know how strict they are But the worst that happens is that you have to pay the taxes for the beer you're bringing (NOK 20 per litre) - The allowance for Norway is 3 litres of alcohol up to 22% + 2 litres beers + 1.5 litres beers up to 4.7% if you don't bring any tobacco. Here is the link: http://www.toll.no/en/international/english/shopping-abroad/alcohol-and-tobacco-quotas/ (you have to replace the wine for the beer in the examples ) For the Netherlands you don't have to worry, as you won't be able to exceed the EU-allowance coming by plane Have a great trip!!
Well customs in Norway wont care about beer. They only care if it is shitloads or if it is drugs. If you bring drugs, they will eat your ears while you watch.
@BeerMeBrah: If you bring it personally, this is no problem. So arriving at an EU-airport, you are safe with it. When you send it via mail (that was your question?), you should stay below the 45€ total-value. Here in Germany the custom-office doesn't care when I get parcels from the US. They always look inside, but as it is neither spirits nor sparkling-wine, I never had to pay anything. But via mail it is a question of the total value, that should be declared very low
