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Alcoholic drinks on a plane

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Start with the alcohol strength

For a flight departing the US, read the ABV on the label before choosing a bag. Wine and beer at 24% ABV or less have no alcohol-specific quantity limit in checked baggage under TSA's guidance. Drinks above 24% through 70% ABV must stay in unopened retail packaging and are limited to 5 L per passenger. Drinks above 70% ABV cannot go in carry-on or checked baggage.

At the US security checkpoint

A full-size wine bottle exceeds the ordinary carry-on liquids limit before screening. A drink brought through the checkpoint needs a container of 3.4 oz/100 ml or less that fits in the single quart-sized liquids bag. The bottle's capacity matters even when little remains inside. See the liquids and containers guide for the general screening rule.

Pack the bottle and check the route

Close a checked bottle, cushion its neck and base, and add a leakproof sleeve in case the glass breaks. Check your airline's baggage conditions and the destination's alcohol import rules separately; permission to carry a bottle on the aircraft does not settle customs requirements. Hand sanitizer and industrial alcohol are different products from a beverage and need their own assessment.

Sources: FAA PackSafe: alcoholic beverages and TSA: alcoholic beverages.

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