# Can you bring alcohol on planes (US)? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 25, 2008, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-bring-alcohol-on-planes-us/457752 "2008-07-25T17:46:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Runs\_With\_Scissors](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/278dde/32.png) [@Runs\_With\_Scissors](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Runs_With_Scissors)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2008, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-bring-alcohol-on-planes-us/457752/1 "2008-07-25T17:46:30Z")
Somebody told me you can bring those little bottles (what are they called?) of alcohol on an airplane still. (You just have to treat them like any other liquid.) I’m sort of getting conflicting info on the TSA website. Check this out: [http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm#10](http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm#10) This says: > [@](#): > > Beverages brought from home or purchased before reaching the security checkpoint in a 3 oz. or smaller container and in your quart-size, zip-top plastic bag. And the answer to it is “Yes.” There’s this page: [http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial\_1189.shtm](http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1189.shtm) Which says: > [@](#): > > Travelers may now carry through security checkpoints travel-size toiletries (3 ounces or less) that fit comfortably in ONE, QUART-SIZE, clear plastic, zip-top bag. > > With the exception of medications, any amount of liquid including alcohol greater than three ounces must be packed in your checked baggage. > > Liquids, including alcohol purchased after clearing the security checkpoint are permitted aboard aircraft. The part that confuses me is “including alcohol purchased after clearing the security checkpoint are permitted aboard aircraft.” What about alcohol purchased at my local liquor store? So far, I’ve yet to see his explicitly prohibited, but there is still one more confusing link: (PDF Alert!!) [http://www.tsa.gov/assets/pdf/prohibited\_and\_permitted\_items\_10-24-07.pdf](http://www.tsa.gov/assets/pdf/prohibited_and_permitted_items_10-24-07.pdf) > [@](#): > > Additional Useful Information: > > Alcohol > > Brought from outside the > security checkpoint - unless in 3 > ounce containers or smaller, > carried in a 1 quart (1 liter), > plastic zip-top bag.\* > > Bought Inside the security > checkpoint\* > > - More than 70 percent alcohol content (140 proof) is prohibited > from carry-on and checked luggage. Up to 5 liters of alcohol with > alcoholic content between 24 percent and 70 percent are allowed > per person as carry-on if bought inside checkpoint. Well, I’m not an html wizard, so I can’t duplicate the table. The answer to the first part is “no,” but it says “unless in 3 ounce containers or smaller…” So, to me, you can’t bring it on, but you can if it’s in 3 ounce containers, etc. ---
**Author:** ![DudleyGarrett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d9b06d/32.png) [@DudleyGarrett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DudleyGarrett)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2008, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-bring-alcohol-on-planes-us/457752/2 "2008-07-25T17:54:48Z")
The way I understand it is that you can buy alcohol (in larger bottles) at the duty-free shops, which are past the security checkpoints, and bring it with you. But any liquid, even water, in containers larger than 3 oz. must be disposed of BEFORE going through security. I think you can bring nips with you in your luggage. ---
**Author:** ![Giles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giles/32/60_2.png) [@Giles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giles)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2008, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-bring-alcohol-on-planes-us/457752/3 "2008-07-25T17:55:20Z")
[QUOTE=Runs With Scissors] The part that confuses me is “including alcohol purchased after clearing the security checkpoint are permitted aboard aircraft.” [/QUOTE] The only places that I have seen selling alcohol in bottles past the security check points at US airports have been duty-free stores. You can only buy things there if you going on an international flight. You can also buy alcohol at bars and restaurants, but I suspect you can only buy it there to consume on the premises. ---
**Author:** ![Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troy_mcclure_sf/32/4150_2.png) [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troy_McClure_SF)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2008, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-bring-alcohol-on-planes-us/457752/4 "2008-07-25T17:58:54Z")
So flammable liquid is fine and dandy? Gotcha ya. This is why I still drive long distances when I can. ---
**Author:** ![Runs\_With\_Scissors](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/278dde/32.png) [@Runs\_With\_Scissors](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Runs_With_Scissors)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2008, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-bring-alcohol-on-planes-us/457752/5 "2008-07-25T18:55:57Z")
[QUOTE=DudleyGarrett] The way I understand it is that you can buy alcohol (in larger bottles) at the duty-free shops, which are past the security checkpoints, and bring it with you. But any liquid, even water, in containers larger than 3 oz. must be disposed of BEFORE going through security. I think you can bring nips with you in your luggage. [/QUOTE] Yeah…that’s my understanding, although I’ve never bought those little bottles so I have no idea how many ounces they are. I couldn’t even estimate it because I’m an American. There’s a part of me that thinks the worst thing that can happen is I have to give them up. There’s another part of me that notes how long and thick that wand is. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2008, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-bring-alcohol-on-planes-us/457752/6 "2008-07-25T19:12:12Z")
[QUOTE=Runs With Scissors] Somebody told me you can bring those little bottles (what are they called?) of alcohol on an airplane still. [/QUOTE] Of course you can: what other use is an “airplane still”? ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2008, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-bring-alcohol-on-planes-us/457752/7 "2008-07-25T19:35:36Z")
Random airline checks: > [@](#): > > **Alcoholic Beverages** > Northwest accepts alcoholic beverages in sealed retail packaging or in receptacles not exceeding 5 liters as checked luggage only. Passengers may carry a total quantity of 5 liters of alcohol per person. > > Note: Beverages containing over 70% alcohol by volume will not be accepted. Source: [Help Center Overview | Delta Air Lines](http://www.nwa.com/travel/luggage/specialitems.html) > [@](#): > > If purchased inside security checkpoint as checked or carry-on baggage, products: > > ``` > * Over 140 proof are not allowed. > * Between 48 and 140 proof are limited to 5 liters per person. > * Under 48 proof are not considered hazardous. > * Must be in retail packaging. > > ``` > > If purchased outside the security checkpoint, security rules apply for carry-on or checked baggage. Source: [Help Center Overview | Delta Air Lines](http://www.delta.com/traveling_checkin/baggage/special_baggage/dangerous_goods/index.jsp) > [@](#): > > Southwest allows alcohol to be carried in checked luggage under the following conditions: > > ``` > * Alcohol (wine and liquor) must be in the original unopened container with the manufacturer’s label when transported in or as checked baggage. > * The maximum quantity of liquor that may be transported in or as checked baggage on Southwest Airlines is five liters per Customer. Wine is not subject to the five-liter per Customer limitation. > * Alcohol content may not exceed 70% by volume (140 proof). > * Alcohol (wine and liquor) in checked baggage must be securely packaged in a leak-proof bag with adequate professional packaging designed to fit the proportions of the bottle to prevent breakage. > * Alcohol (wine and liquor) accepted as checked baggage must be contained within a corrugated box secured with sealing tape. The contents must be packaged in a leak-proof bag with professional packaging designed to fit the proportions of the bottle to prevent breakage. > * Liquor and wine packaging is available for sale at Southwest Airlines ticket counters for $5.00 per unit. > * Southwest Airlines does not accept liability for breakage of liquids or fragile items in checked luggage even if transported in special packaging purchased from Southwest Airlines. > * Packaging purchased at Southwest Airlines ticket counters is intended for liquor or wine placed inside checked baggage only. > * Professional packaging by alcohol and wine suppliers (e.g.,cruise lines, wineries, duty-free shops) is acceptable as long as the contents have adequate cushioning and the packaging prevents leakage. > * All alcohol (wine and liquor) is subject to TSA screening. > > ``` Source: [http://www.southwest.com/travel\_center/alcohol.html](http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/alcohol.html) IIRC, you cannot bring your own alcoholic beverages aboard commercial aircraft for consumption aboard. I’m still trying to find if that is a real law or regulation, or the airlines own policies. ---
**Author:** ![Merkwurdigliebe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/74df32/32.png) [@Merkwurdigliebe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merkwurdigliebe)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2008, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-bring-alcohol-on-planes-us/457752/8 "2008-07-25T19:45:13Z")
[QUOTE=Giles] The only places that I have seen selling alcohol in bottles past the security check points at US airports have been duty-free stores. You can only buy things there if you going on an international flight. You can also buy alcohol at bars and restaurants, but I suspect you can only buy it there to consume on the premises. [/QUOTE] Are you sure? I thought it was just a regular shop otherwise and the “duty free” part kicked in if you showed them your ticket. ---
**Author:** ![Giles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giles/32/60_2.png) [@Giles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giles)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2008, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-bring-alcohol-on-planes-us/457752/9 "2008-07-25T19:49:56Z")
[QUOTE=Merkwurdigliebe] Are you sure? I thought it was just a regular shop otherwise and the “duty free” part kicked in if you showed them your ticket. [/QUOTE] No – you have to show an international boarding pass to enter the duty-free shop at US airports, so you could only buy there if you are going on an international flight. This is something that varies by country. In Australia, anyone can go into duty-free shops on the land side of customs and immigration, and they probably can buy things there, but paying the customs duty and GST, but I’m not sure about that. ---
**Author:** ![Santo\_Rugger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e95f7d/32.png) [@Santo\_Rugger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Santo_Rugger)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2008, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-bring-alcohol-on-planes-us/457752/10 "2008-07-25T20:28:48Z")
[QUOTE=Runs With Scissors] Yeah…that’s my understanding, although I’ve never bought those little bottles so I have no idea how many ounces they are. I couldn’t even estimate it because I’m an American. [/QUOTE] Americans can’t estimate ounces? ---
**Author:** ![Autolycus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/22d042/32.png) [@Autolycus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Autolycus)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2008, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-bring-alcohol-on-planes-us/457752/11 "2008-07-25T20:42:59Z")
I was able to buy alcohol at a duty-free shop when I came back from Japan to the US three years ago. I had also just broken up with my girlfriend at the time, and, well, let’s say that buying a handle of whiskey to drink on the plane was _not_ a good idea. ---
**Author:** ![MikeS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@MikeS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeS)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2008, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-bring-alcohol-on-planes-us/457752/12 "2008-07-25T21:20:00Z")
[QUOTE=Runs With Scissors] > [@](#): > > Liquids, including alcohol purchased after clearing the security checkpoint are permitted aboard aircraft. The part that confuses me is “including alcohol purchased after clearing the security checkpoint are permitted aboard aircraft.” What about alcohol purchased at my local liquor store? [/QUOTE] I would parse this differently: I think it means to say that “Liquids (including alcohol) purchased after clearing the security checkpoint are permitted aboard aircraft.” So as long as you buy your alcohol past the security checkpoint, you can bring it on board just like any other liquid (subject to the larger volume and proof restrictions enumerated above.)