Can I bring alcohol purchased at a duty-free store back into the country after a short trip?

Can I bring alcohol purchased at a duty-free store back into the country after a short trip? - Back view of unrecognizable trendy female travelers in stylish clothes walking in traditional famous Nishiki Market in Kyoto

Is it allowed to purchase alcohol at a duty free store on the way out of the country, and bring it back when I return? Assuming I bring less than the personal exemption.

Specifically, I'm asking about crossing the U.S.-Canada border by bus.

I understand that U.S. citizens can bring into Canada

1.5 litres of wine, or 1.14 litres (40 ounces) of liquor, or 24 x 355 millilitres (12 ounces) cans or bottles (8.5 litres) of beer or ale.

and, after 48 hours, can return with

Purchases [that] may include 1 litre of alcohol, 200 cigarettes (1 carton), and 100 cigars.

Further down on that page, it says

Liquor, including spirits, wine and beer, in Canada is significantly more expensive than in the United States, so Americans going to Canada for a visit may want to stop at duty free for liquor that they will consume while in Canada.

Does this mean that I must consume all of the alcohol I purchase at duty free before crossing the border? If I declare it, will the bottle be labeled in a way that a border officer would even be able to distinguish it from another bottle purchased in Canada?

Source.

The U.S. CBP info page doesn't clarify. To be clear, I will be in Canada for multiple days for a legitimate pleasure trip.



Best Answer

Does this mean that I must consume all of the alcohol I purchase at duty free before crossing the border?

No. It means that if you're planning to drink alcohol in Canada, it could be a good idea to buy some at the DF store.

will the bottle be labeled in a way that a border officer would even be able to distinguish it from another bottle purchased in Canada?

Yes, but more accurately, it will not be labeled like a bottle bought in Canada -- it will miss the tax sticker and importer's info. But that doesn't matter. If the alcohol you are carrying is within the limits, you don't need to declare it.




Pictures about "Can I bring alcohol purchased at a duty-free store back into the country after a short trip?"

Can I bring alcohol purchased at a duty-free store back into the country after a short trip? - Woman with timber wicker bag on shoulder
Can I bring alcohol purchased at a duty-free store back into the country after a short trip? - From above of crop anonymous male opening can of drink standing on sandy beach
Can I bring alcohol purchased at a duty-free store back into the country after a short trip? - Hairless aged ethnic male in casual outfit touching bag while sitting against mesh fence with beer can



Can you bring alcohol back to the US?

U.S. Customs and Border Protection allows you to bring up to one liter of alcohol into the country duty-free as long as you're 21 years or older. The amount goes up to 5 liters duty free when you're bringing alcohol from a U.S. insular possession such as Guam, Samoa or the U.S. Virgin Islands.

How many bottles of alcohol can you bring back to the US?

Generally, one liter of alcohol per person may be entered into United States duty-free by travelers who are 21 years or older.

Can you bring alcohol back from the UK?

Although there are no limits to the alcohol and tobacco you can bring in from EU countries, you're more likely to be asked questions if you have more than the following amounts....Customs checks.Type of goodsAmountBeer110 litresWine90 litresSpirits10 litresFortified wine (for example sherry, port)20 litres5 more rows

Can you bring alcohol on a plane 2021?

It's perfectly legal to bring alcohol onto airplanes, according to the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), as long as the liquor is kept in containers of 3.4 ounces or less that can fit in one clear, zip-top, quart-sized bag.



What is Duty-free Shopping \u0026 is it a Good Deal? | Understanding How it Works \u0026 Whether It's Worth it




Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Images: Ryutaro Tsukata, Sarah Chai, William Fortunato, Nicola Barts