How much alcohol is allowed in hand luggage? Alcohol on an airplane: transportation limits and customs rules. Is alcohol included in the menu

One of the most pressing questions among travelers is about what is in their luggage. There are tourists who are sure that it can turn any flight into a small romantic adventure (special thanks to Hollywood films that promote this vision of the situation). Although, in fact, everything is more prosaic: the airport control service has the right to confiscate the alcohol being carried, demand payment of a fine, or simply not allow a careless passenger to board the plane.

Strong drinks are usually taken on board for personal use, as a souvenir or gift. Their consumption during the flight, after landing and before departure is a burning issue for many tourists. To make the process as pleasant as possible and reduce negative consequences to a minimum, regulations have been developed that regulate the rules for transporting alcoholic beverages in the air. By adhering to these criteria, passengers save time, effort, money and can safely carry alcohol on the plane.

Within the Russian Federation

Those people who are tormented by the question of whether it is possible to carry alcohol in luggage on a plane if you fly with domestic airlines do not have to worry. This method of transporting alcoholic beverages is the most affordable and simplest. At the moment, the following transportation standards are relevant, explaining how much alcohol can be carried in airplane luggage:

1. If you are flying with Aeroflot, then you will have to forget about transporting drinks with a strength above 70° - this is prohibited.
2. If one adult passenger is traveling, he can transport no more than 5 liters of alcoholic beverages, the strength of which is 24-70°.
3. Adult passengers (over 21 years of age) have the right to transport an unlimited number of alcoholic beverages, but provided that the strength of these drinks is less than 24°.

If we summarize the above information, we can conclude that the transportation of alcoholic beverages in Russia is limited only by the strength and total size of luggage.

Transportation in Russia

However, do not forget that in most cases, baggage delivery and transportation are not carried out very carefully, so bottles of alcohol can often break. And if no obvious signs of damage are found on the bag or suitcase, then it is better to forget about compensation for losses.

When flying domestically, passengers are limited in their desires only by the rules of the airline itself, which may change. Therefore, we advise you to clarify information by phone or on the website. At this point, we will consider the question of whether it is possible to carry alcohol in airplane luggage on domestic flights resolved.

International flights

If we are talking about international flights, then everything is a little more complicated, since in this case customs rules for the export and import of goods begin to apply. That is why whether alcohol can be carried in airplane luggage depends on the country of destination.

Customs rules that control the transportation of alcoholic beverages to foreign countries are different everywhere. As mentioned earlier, it all depends on the country where the tourist is flying. The rules can be found directly with the airline staff or with the operator who organizes the trip.

Common EU requirements

Is it possible to bring alcohol in your luggage if you are flying to the EU? Uniform requirements for the transportation of alcoholic beverages were established by countries that are members of the European Union. The carriage of alcohol in airplane luggage is limited to one item from the following list:

• 16 liters of beer;
• 4 liters of wine;
• 2 liters of drinks, the strength of which is 22°;
• one bottle of any alcohol (strength does not matter).

If the alcohol-containing products were purchased outside the European Union, and the transfer will take place in one of the EU countries, then the alcoholic products will be confiscated.

However, Russian travelers need to be reassured: most European countries are famous for the highest quality and finest beer and wine drinks, so anyone will have the opportunity to enjoy their taste during their trip.

From abroad to Russia

If we talk about how much alcohol you can carry in your luggage on an airplane (if you are returning to Russia), then after our state joined the customs union, the following rules began to apply:

• Passengers can carry up to 3 liters of alcohol-containing products free of charge.
• For an additional 2 liters of alcoholic beverages you will need to pay a customs fee.
• All other alcoholic beverages exceeding this maximum 5 liters are subject to immediate confiscation.
• From the Russian Federation, you are allowed to carry one liter of alcohol in airplane luggage (its strength can be above 22°) and an additional two liters of alcoholic beverages with a strength below 22°.

Alcohol in hand luggage

Absolutely all states are trying to ensure the highest level of safety during flights. That is why there are certain rules governing the transportation of any liquids in hand luggage. Naturally, alcoholic drinks fall into this category, and their transportation is carried out in compliance with these rules.

Passengers are allowed to take on board only 100 ml of liquid in an unopened original container. Plastic transparent bags with zip locks are required for packaging containers. There is no doubt that upon boarding, the integrity of the packaging will be carefully checked.

Bottles purchased at Duty Free are an exception, although they must be packaged in a special bag while maintaining the integrity of the labels and corks. However, you need to remember that the customs officers of the state where you are traveling do not care where you purchased the alcohol. The total quantity of drinks should not exceed the import standards.

Liquor on board

Is it possible to safely and legally transport alcoholic beverages on an airplane? How exactly can this be done? It's quite simple if you stay up to date with the current regulations. If you are planning a trip with the help of a travel agency, we recommend that you check with the operators about the rules for transporting alcoholic beverages. They have information on this issue and will be able to quickly help you resolve any doubts.

If you are planning a trip at your own risk, you will need to understand the topic yourself. Thanks to the accessibility and openness of all the necessary information, collecting it will not create much difficulty.

To avoid unpleasant surprises on board the aircraft and at the airport, there are several key points to highlight:

1. When transporting baggage, airlines are not responsible for the safety of the packaging, so passengers will have to take care of this themselves.
2. Alcoholic products must be in unopened original packaging.
3. Alcohol that does not meet the standards will be confiscated immediately after the violation is discovered, and the offending passenger will be forced to pay a fine.

Reasons for withdrawal

Most misunderstandings occur because passengers do not understand that sometimes airline rules for transporting alcoholic beverages do not coincide with customs control rules. Figuratively speaking, if you are very lucky to get on board with two liters of vodka, then no one can guarantee you that it will not be taken away by customs officers upon landing. Therefore, it is best to find out in advance what restrictions exist in the countries of destination and departure. The easiest way to do this is on the embassy websites.

There are usually no problems with the export of alcoholic products, since all states are interested in travelers purchasing their products and bringing them home. However, this is not without exceptions. For example, it is prohibited to export more than two bottles of alcohol from Cuba. From Germany you are allowed to export up to 3 liters, and for everything transported in excess of this you will need to pay 10 euros per liter.

With the import of alcohol, things are different, because most countries are trying to limit it, and no one has established uniform import rules. For example, into the countries of the European zone it is allowed to import a liter of alcohol with a strength above 22° and two liters up to 22°. The same rules apply to Egypt. In Singapore and Thailand, it is allowed to import up to a liter of alcoholic beverages of any strength, but in the Maldives, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, the import of any alcohol is prohibited.

conclusions

We can summarize how to transport alcohol in airplane luggage. The rules are simple and are usually set either by the laws of the state in which the plane lands or by the airline that owns the plane.

Before departure, it is advisable to pay attention to the requirements regarding how much alcohol and, most importantly, whether it is possible to carry alcohol in the luggage of the plane and on board.

Vacationers often wonder whether transporting alcohol on an airplane is allowed. This is mainly due to the desire to bring local alcohol to friends as a souvenir.

Since most alcohol is bottled in glass containers, many are afraid to put it in the trunk, and restrictions on the transportation of liquids often confuse passengers.

Is it possible to carry alcohol on a plane?

Usually this question is not even asked, since the answer to it is “Yes”.

You can always take alcohol on board an airplane, but depending on the strength and quantity, the transportation rules vary.

The only strict exception is alcohol with an alcohol content of over 70% - its transportation is strictly prohibited.

It is also worth noting that the article will discuss the rules adopted by airlines, for example, S7, Aeroflot, Ural Airlines and others.

If your destination is a country with lower permitted standards, you will have to navigate according to them, otherwise customs officers will take away the excess at the point of arrival. The age of the passenger is no less important: all rules apply to adults - over 18 or 21 years old.

It is important to know: If a passenger flies to a country where the age of majority is 21, you need to focus on this date.

How much can you carry?

This question worries many travelers for the reasons stated above.

First of all, it should be noted that the weight of alcohol must be included in the permissible baggage allowance, otherwise you will have to overpay for it.

That is, an extra couple of bottles of wine can make your suitcase heavier, and you will have to pay for them.

It is worth noting: The exact data on the amount of alcohol for transportation depends on the country to which the flight is planned and the strength of the alcohol.

It is worth noting here that sometimes passengers experience unpleasant confusion between the rules of air carriers and the customs laws of the destination country. The former are often much more loyal than customs. For example, airlines allow you to carry any amount of low-strength alcohol, but the European Union countries have set a limit of 2-4 liters.

Particular attention should be paid to flights with transfers: in this case, it is necessary to take into account the permitted rate of all three countries. For example, if the country in which the transfer will be made allows the import of a smaller quantity, you will have to focus on its requirements.

Can I carry it in luggage and how should I pack it?

All airlines in the world adhere to the following rules for transporting alcohol in the luggage compartment:

• alcohol up to 24% alcohol can be transported in any quantity;
• strength 24%-70% - up to 5 liters per adult;
• if the strength exceeds 70%, transportation is prohibited.

However, do not forget about customs restrictions - they will be written about below. Packaging also plays a huge role.

You will need to adhere to two rules:

1. It is necessary to carefully pack alcohol so that the bottle does not accidentally break during the flight.
2. The bottle must have factory packaging with labels, markings and excise taxes. An opened bottle will not be taken on board.

Alcohol in hand luggage

Sometimes it becomes necessary to carry alcohol in: for example, if the trip is planned lightly, without luggage.

In this case, the following rules apply to each adult:

1. The total weight of liquid, including alcohol, should not exceed 1 liter.
2. You can only carry small bottles of 100 ml, that is, a maximum of 10 pieces.
3. All containers must be additionally packaged in a special plastic bag with a zipper, the volume of which is also a liter. Alcohol can be placed along with all other liquids.
4. All bottles of alcohol must be sealed.

Note: Only souvenir alcohol in small containers falls under the requirements for hand luggage - all “normal” bottles must be checked in luggage.

Duty free

Many passengers are well aware of “Duty Free” - a duty-free zone where you can purchase alcohol.

Purchased bottles are allowed to be carried in hand luggage, even if their volume is larger than the permitted 0.1 liter, and there are also no weight or quantity restrictions on them. Bottles from Duty Free must be carefully packed in the store’s branded bag.

Note: Opening bottles of Duty Free alcohol at the airport or during a flight is strictly prohibited.

It is important to note that a number of countries have some restrictions on purchases at Duty Free: for example, in the USA it is allowed to transport bottles in hand luggage only if they were purchased in America.

Is it possible to drink homemade wine and other homemade drinks on a plane?

The only answer is no.

Firstly, only branded products with intact stamps and excise taxes can be carried on board in hand luggage or checked luggage.

Also, the container must not be opened, that is, you won’t be able to cheat and replace the branded wine with homemade wine.

Secondly, not all airlines allow drinking alcohol at altitude, as this can have an extremely negative impact on health.

However, on the forums you can find some advice on how to carry and drink alcohol during the flight. However, you will have to do this at your own peril and risk.

Drinking on board and consequences

Drinking during a flight is hardly a good idea: at altitude, the effects of alcohol are almost 3 times stronger, which can negatively affect even good health.

That's why some airlines strictly prohibit any consumption of alcohol.

Others serve alcohol in small quantities themselves through flight attendants, free of charge or for a fee. Of course, the choice will leave much to be desired.

Take into account: the passenger may be denied the sale if the flight attendant believes that problems may arise.

Disobedience can lead to confiscation of illegally carried alcohol, and in the case of disorderly conduct, arrest immediately after landing. It is important to remember that the main task of flight attendants is not to interfere with the celebration of vacation, and not to allow one drunk passenger to harm someone.

Import rules to Russia, Europe, the USA and popular resorts

Depending on the destination, the exact volumes allowed for import vary.

When flying to Russia, you can bring up to 3 liters of alcohol without additional payment and up to 5 liters in total.

That is, you will have to pay extra for the fourth and fifth liters, and starting from the sixth liter, everything will be confiscated.

In European countries you can take:

• 16 liters of beer;
• 4 liters of non-sparkling wine;
• 2 liters of alcohol whose strength does not exceed 22%;
• liter of stronger drink.

Take note: You can’t import everything at once, but only one of the items.

In the USA, there is a limit of 1 liter of alcohol - everything above this limit is paid separately. There is no maximum quantity, but if you have a large number of bottles, you will have to answer several questions from customs officers. Many states have stricter restrictions that you will have to navigate.

To Egypt, Thailand, Tunisia you can take a liter of alcohol, to Turkey - a liter of strong alcohol or 1.4 liters of wine (2 bottles of 0.7 liters each).

When going to the UAE, it is worth checking the customs rules in a particular place: in some cities, Muslims are completely prohibited from bringing alcohol.

Watch the video in which a specialist explains the rules for carrying items in checked luggage and hand luggage:

At international airports and in neutral territories between two land border checkpoints there is a treasured place where all tourists, regardless of age and nationality, strive. We are talking about duty-free sales points, namely Duty Free stores. The fact is that you can buy expensive alcohol there (for example, as a gift or as a souvenir) at a significant discount, since excise taxes account for the lion's share of the cost of elite wines and other strong drinks. However, it is very important to know how much alcohol can be carried across the border so that the purchase does not have to be left on the other side.

Basic rules. Every adult traveler can import 3 liters of any alcohol (beer, vodka, wine, cognac, cider, etc.) into Russia duty-free. You are allowed to carry an additional 2 liters over the limit, but you will have to declare this alcohol and pay a fee of 10 euros per liter. Anything larger than 5 liters will be confiscated.

The total cost of imported alcohol must not exceed 1,500 euros. In addition, all bottles must be kept in their original packaging. This means that although there is no direct ban on the import of moonshine, customs may not allow the product to pass without labeling.

You can export alcohol from Russia in any quantity, but only if you can prove that the products are intended for personal consumption and not for trade. However, the host country has its own rules and import limits, so you should focus on them (check in advance).

It is important to know:

• The rules in force in the Russian Federation are the same for all passengers, regardless of citizenship.
• Violation of customs rules entails administrative liability and a fine in the amount of 0.5 to 2 times the value of undeclared alcohol (with the possibility of subsequent confiscation) (Articles 16.2, 16.3 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation).
• A large batch of alcohol (with a total cost of 250 thousand rubles) can be regarded as a commercial unit. For the absence of a declaration, a fine of 300 thousand rubles or up to 12 years in prison is provided (Article 200.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation).
• The duty of 10 euros is fixed and does not depend on the type of imported alcoholic beverages.

• The rules for the import of alcoholic beverages do not depend on the type of transport, however, airlines may have their own internal standards for the carriage of hand luggage and baggage.

• It doesn’t matter where exactly the alcoholic beverages were purchased: in a regular store or in a “drink” - the volume of all alcoholic beverages is summed up.

Carrying alcohol on an airplane

You can only take small bottles of 100 ml on board with a total volume of no more than 1 liter. Thus, you won’t be able to carry a lot of alcohol in your hand luggage. The exception is alcoholic drinks from Duty Free. Duty-free shops are located directly next to the waiting rooms and become accessible only after luggage has been safely sent for loading. However, please note that the packaging must not be opened until the destination.

Duty Free packaging cannot be opened on the plane!

As for alcohol in airplane luggage, airlines do not in any way limit the transportation of drinks with a strength of up to 24%, but the volume of alcohol with a strength of 24-70% is a maximum of five liters per person, and the transportation of alcohol with a strength of 70% is completely prohibited.

However, these internal rules apply only to transportation; at the customs office itself, the laws adopted in the country apply.

Pack bottles securely to prevent them from breaking when transported in luggage.

FAQ

1. Does alcohol count in check-in and carry-on luggage?

According to customs rules - yes.

2. Since there are no rules for the export of alcohol, and no one checks suitcases upon arrival, it turns out that I can bring a few extra bottles?

Theoretically, yes. But this is a violation of the law, and if it is discovered, you will have to pay a serious fine. The editors of the Alkofan website recommend abandoning this idea, although it looks tempting.

3. How much alcohol can you bring across the border of Turkey (France, Spain, Vietnam, etc.)?

This information should be verified immediately prior to travel to ensure you have the most up-to-date information.

25.09.2018, 15:02

Is it possible to carry alcohol on a plane? How much and which one? Where should I put it, maybe in my luggage or hand luggage? These and many other questions related to the transportation of alcoholic beverages are answered in this article.

Is it possible to carry alcohol on a plane?

You can carry alcoholic drinks on the plane. However, you should take into account the requirements for the transportation of alcohol in the country of export and import, as well as the conditions of the airlines. Carriage rules and regulations differ depending on the method of transportation: in hand luggage or in checked luggage.

Alcohol in hand luggage

There are strict restrictions on carrying liquids in hand luggage. You are allowed to carry no more than 1 liter of liquid, and each product must be in a container with a volume of no more than 100 ml. The only exception is alcohol purchased in Duty Free. For example, in your hand luggage you can put: 10 bottles of 100 ml of alcoholic drinks or 1 bottle of water + 4 with hygienic contents (shampoo, lotion, hair balm, perfume, etc.) + 5 with alcoholic drinks. By bottle we mean not only souvenir containers, but also a flask. The main thing is that they should be 100 ml in volume, and not liquid in it. If, for example, you take a 500 ml flask on a plane and pour 100 ml of alcohol into it, you will be asked to put the flask out and leave it at the airport.

Alcohol from Duty Free

When flying on a direct flight, if the customs regulations of the destination country allow the import of alcohol, you can buy it before boarding at duty-free shops and take it with you into the cabin. Please note that before arriving at your destination, you must not tamper with the integrity of the package in which you received alcohol at Duty Free. Otherwise, you will have to pour the drinks into small containers or put them out completely. If the flight involves a transfer, then permission to transport alcohol depends on where you are flying from, where you are flying and where the transfer is. Therefore, before departure, be sure to check the information. /p>

Carrying alcohol in luggage

Domestic flights

On domestic flights within the Russian Federation, the following standards apply for the carriage of alcohol in baggage (for passengers over 21 years of age):

• Alcohol up to 24% alcohol - no restrictions.
• Alcohol with a strength from 24% to 70% - no more than 5 liters per person.
• Carrying alcohol with a strength of more than 70% is prohibited.

Import of alcohol to Russia

You are allowed to bring three liters of alcohol of any strength into Russia. If this volume is exceeded, you will have to pay a total customs payment: duty (percentage of the customs value of the goods, depending on the type and strength of the drink), excise tax (depending on the type of drink), VAT (18% of the amount of the cost of the goods, duty and excise tax). The customs value of alcoholic beverages will be determined based on the cash receipt you submit.

International flights

On international flights, restrictions on the transport of alcohol are imposed by the customs regulations of the country you are flying to. Most airlines require that alcohol be packaged in a retail container (i.e. a bottle with a label).

How much alcohol can be exported from Russia to other countries?

The customs legislation of these countries allows duty-free import of alcohol per adult passenger in the following quantities:

A country		Permitted amount of alcoholic drinks	Note
Belarus		No more than 3 liters	Any fortress
Bali		Up to 2 liters	Any fortress
Germany		1 liter of strong drinks (more than 22% alcohol content), or 2 liters of medium strength alcohol (up to 22%)
Egypt		1 liter of strong alcohol, 2 liters of beer	No more than 3 liters in total
Israel		Up to 1 liter of spirits + up to 2 liters of wine
India		Up to 2 liters	Any fortress
Kazakhstan		No more than 3 liters	Any type
Cyprus		1 liter of alcohol with a strength of more than 22%, or 2 liters of alcohol with a strength of up to 22% (liqueur, sparkling wine, etc.), + 4 liters of wine, + up to 16 liters of beer.
China		No more than 1.5 liters	Any fortress
Latvia		1 l strength from 22% to 80%; 2 l strength up to 22%
Lithuania
Norway		1 liter of alcohol with a strength of 22% to 60% and 1.5 liters of drinks with a strength of 2.5% to 22%, or 3 liters of drink with a strength from 2.5% to 22%; 2 liters of low-alcohol drink with a strength of 2.5% to 4.7%.
Poland		1 liter of strong alcoholic drinks, or 2 l strength up to 22%, or 4 liters of still wines, or 16 l beer
OJSC	Abu Dhabi	4 liters	The passenger must be NOT a Muslim
	Dubai	4 liters
	Sharjah	2 liters
Thailand		No more than 1 liter	In case of excess: confiscation of excess and a fine of $1000.
Tunisia		1 bottle
Türkiye		5 liters of any strength	Drinks of the same type must be no more than 3 liters in volume
Ukraine		5 liters of beer; 2 liters of wine; 1 liter of strong drinks with an alcohol content of more than 22%
Finland		4 liters of wine, or 16 liters of beer, or 1 liter of strong alcoholic drinks (with an alcohol content of more than 22%), or 2 liters of other types of alcoholic beverages with a strength of up to 22%.	You can only import if if the length of stay in Finland will exceed three days.
Sri Lanka		1.5 liters of strong alcoholic drinks; 2 bottles of wine
Estonia		1 l with an alcohol content of more than 22%; 2 l strength up to 22%

If there are more alcoholic drinks than the specified norms, you will have to pay for everything that is above the norm.

How to properly pack and transport alcohol on a plane

Knowing the number of permitted containers and the volume of alcohol to be transported, you can safely take it with you and pack it. Airlines have no special rules in this regard, the main thing is that there is no risk of breaking the bottle during transportation. Each passenger is free to pack them as they see fit. However, Ticket Aero would recommend:

• Do not place bottles in close proximity to the wall of the suitcase; be sure to place soft things between the container and the wall.
• Do not place bottles next to each other; there should be soft objects, or better yet, clothing between them.
• Pack clothes and bottles in plastic bags. This way you will protect your clothes from getting wet and damaged if the bottle suddenly breaks.

We know from Hollywood movies that you can drink alcohol on a plane. But when it comes to flying, it is better to find out in advance the rules for transporting alcoholic beverages on aircraft. Otherwise, you may not be allowed on board, your alcohol will be confiscated, or you may be forced to pay a fine.

First you need to decide whether you will carry alcohol in your luggage or want to drink it on board. In the first case, everything is much simpler. On within Russian flights The carriage of alcohol in checked baggage is subject to the following rules:

• alcoholic drinks with an alcohol content of up to 24% are carried without restrictions by all passengers over 21 years of age;
• All adult passengers have the right to carry alcohol with a strength of 24-70%, but not more than 5 liters per person.

On international flights The rules depend on the customs legislation of the country you are flying to. These can be clarified before the flight from the tour operator, the embassy or the airline that sold the ticket. Typically, you can export 1 liter of strong alcohol, 2 liters of wine and 1 carton of cigarettes from Russia to another country. But this is an average number that requires clarification. For example, it is prohibited to import alcohol into Saudi Arabia.

You are allowed to bring two liters of alcohol of any strength into Russia. You can do more (up to 10 liters), but then you will have to pay duty, excise tax and VAT. It won't be the best buy.

Now let’s figure out how much alcohol you can take into the cabin of the plane. The carriage of alcohol in the cabin of an aircraft is regulated by the rules for the carriage of hand luggage. According to these rules, a passenger has the right to take with him 100 g of alcohol in original, undamaged containers, which are packed in a transparent plastic bag with a zipper. Before boarding, they will check the integrity of your packaging.

On international flights, you are allowed to carry alcohol from Duty-Free, packaged in special bags from these stores. But even here difficulties may arise. If you are flying from a non-Schengen country and are connecting in a Schengen country, you will be asked to put alcohol in your baggage upon transfer. Only alcohol purchased in duty-free stores in this country can be transported into US aircraft cabins.

The right to carry alcohol in the cabin of an aircraft does not mean that alcohol can be consumed on board. It all depends on the airline’s internal rules. In most cases, for example on Aeroflot aircraft, you can only drink alcohol purchased on board. There are carriers that have introduced prohibition on their flights. Therefore, you should check the rules for drinking alcoholic beverages with the airline that sold you your ticket.

I also advise you to remember that alcohol at an altitude of more than 3000 meters slows down your breathing rate and increases oxygen deprivation. Hence the advice - reduce your usual dose several times, then during the flight you will not become intoxicated to the point of insanity.