Heading to US, bringing alcohol as gift.

hoolio

Ok so the basic story goes - heading to the states in september for a few weeks to visit some people and for a general holiday. I'm 19 now and will be likewise for the trip. I was planning to bring a bottle of something, decent whiskey probably, as a gift for someone , but then remembered the whole 21 drinking age thing.

Just looking for clarification really. Is it illegal to have it? Is it likely that anyone would even check my bags, or if they did that they would care enough to I.D. me? Or would the best advice be to switch to a non alcohol gift?

Our man in Havana

US customs will not allow anyone under 21 to import alcohol into the USA. Just don't do it. You risk a big fine if you get caught.

Saruman

Unless what you are bringing is something you CANT GET outside of Ireland..... then just buy it over there for a fraction of the price! Assuming you can get served... they di ask for ID usually there unless you look well over 21.

hoolio

Thanks lads, pretty much what i was thinking/expecting, better not to risk it. If i go the booze route i'll probably just get a friend whos over the limit to pick it up for me yonder. From what i've been told ID'ing is too strict for me to do it myself. 21 seems silly from an irish perspective, but thems the breaks.

and no i really wouldnt imagine it would be anything you really couldnt get over there, i am a student after all (and hence consistently skint).

breadmonkey

hoolio wrote:

Thanks lads, pretty much what i was thinking/expecting, better not to risk it. If i go the booze route i'll probably just get a friend whos over the limit to pick it up for me yonder. From what i've been told ID'ing is too strict for me to do it myself. 21 seems silly from an irish perspective, but thems the breaks.

and no i really wouldnt imagine it would be anything you really couldnt get over there, i am a student after all (and hence consistently skint).

Are they really that anal about this? I would risk it. It's not as if underage drinkers go aroud with 25 year old vintage bottles of Glenfiddich! Also, don't buy it in Ireland. You can get really good whiskeys etc. in the duty free. Heathrow has a whopping selection at very good prices.

Ruu_Old

I wouldn't risk the fine and being caught by US Customs.:)

hoolio

breadmonkey - funnily enough Glenfiddich was what i had in mind.

from speaking to people i know it seems it would be unlikely that they'd even search me, but the hassle it would cause if you were unlucky makes it seem not really worth it.

i remember when i was 15 i bought a bottle of wine in paris, put it in my carry on baggage and sauntered back through dublin airport without anyone even flinching. times change i guess.

pkeno

I am 20 and was in the states two weeks ago. I had a bottle of buckfast(gift for a friend)in my carry on luggage and nobody said a word to me about it, let alone ID me! If i was going again I would have no qualms about bringing drink with me.

dave2pvd

pkeno wrote:

I am 20 and was in the states two weeks ago. I had a bottle of buckfast(gift for a friend)in my carry on luggage and nobody said a word to me about it, let alone ID me! If i was going again I would have no qualms about bringing drink with me.

You got lucky.

Seriously, don't do it. Bring smoked salmon instead. Customs here is no joke!

Bringing in whiskey could probably have you charged with intent to commit genocide or something

breadmonkey

Hoolio,

If you do decide to bring it through (which I think you should), maybe you should get a bottle of Midleton Reserve since it's Irish. It is around E120 though. Just a thought.