The question of how much alcohol can be transported on an airplane is not an idle one. Yes, and to answer it in a monosyllables is impossible. First, certain airlines have their own rules for transporting alcohol. Secondly, you should also take into account the nuance of security.
After attempts to build bombs directly on board using chemical liquids, the control services are extremely critical of everything poured into bubbles and bottles. And if you really want to bring alcohol from point A to point B by air, pack it in your suitcases, that is, unaccompanied luggage.
But here, the passenger can expect troubles in the person of the customs service in the country of arrival. Each state has its own norms for the transport of alcohol. There are countries where alcohol is banned altogether.
In a word, the issue of transporting alcohol by air is complex and requires a closer examination. Let's get it together.
How much alcohol can I take on an airplane on domestic flights?
Air transport imposes a maximum of requirements and restrictions on the passenger. If you can take whatever you want with a train or bus, including scissors, sharp objects, liquids, and the like, then when boarding a plane, such items will be seized by the airport security service.
Let's talk about how much alcohol you can take with you on board as hand luggage, later. Let's start the review with the simplest: how many liters of alcohol does a passenger have the right to baggage if he travels through the territory of the Russian Federation? The answer to this question is not so simple.
This is governed by the rules of baggage on the plane in Russia. They are reviewed almost every year. With the latest changes (in 2017), the following norms were introduced: only a person over 21 years old has the right to transport alcohol.
The norms for the transport of alcohol vary depending on the strength of alcohol. If this wine, including fortified (up to 24 degrees), then such drinks can be transported through Russia as much as you want.
True, the unaccompanied baggage standards that airlines introduce for economy and business class passengers come into force here. In most cases, it is 30 kilograms.
As for strong alcohol, here the Rules provide for restrictions: no more than five liters of liquors, tinctures and distillates with a strength of 24 to 70 degrees per passenger over 21 years of age. Alcohol as such is generally prohibited by air.
Carriage of alcohol on the plane: what you can take on board
Those passengers for whom the start of the journey is already an event that should be noted, probably wonder about the acceptable standards of alcohol with which they are allowed into the liner. Indeed, not on all flights passengers are fed and treated with drinks, including alcohol.
Each airline has its own hand luggage rate. It varies from seven to ten kilograms per passenger. But you should not bring packing cans of beer or a bottle with you to the salon. After all, here the safety rules come into force.
Not only alcohol, but also any liquid (baby formula, perfume, medicinal solutions, soft drinks and even plain water) should be packaged in bottles of 100 milliliters each.
Moreover, for alcohol, there are additional requirements: the container must be factory and unopened. Thus, you can bring only souvenir bottles with alcohol to the liner’s cabin.
In general, 1 liter of liquid is allowed per adult passenger. Bottles should be placed in a special transparent bag with a zipper.
Recommendations from experienced travelers
The rules for transporting alcohol on an airplane should be taken seriously. The advice and recommendations of passengers are as follows. Bottles in unaccompanied baggage should be wrapped in soft clothes.
Unfortunately, suitcase delivery workers on board work very choppy. There is no guarantee that your suitcase will be handled otherwise. And therefore, if you do not want to get broken glass and alcohol-filled things at the exit, it is better to check your baggage as “fragile” at check-in.
You will have to pay extra for this service, but the bottles will fly safe and sound. Do not bring champagne bottles on the planes of those airlines for which the cargo compartment is not sealed. With a climb and a sharp pressure drop, sparkling wine can explode.
Import of alcohol from abroad to Russia
International flights have their own characteristics. The rules allow alcohol on board for any passenger over 18 years old. Norms determine only the volume of alcohol - five liters. It can be either dry wine, beer or cider, or distillates (vodka, rum, cognac).
The norm for all alcoholic beverages is one. But if we read the Customs rules for the import of alcohol from abroad to Russia, we will see a completely different figure - three liters. What does it mean?
That if, for example, you import six liters of alcohol into the Russian Federation, you can carry three of them freely by customs officers. The other two will have to pay a fee. And rather big - 10 euros in rubles at the rate of the National Bank for that day for one liter.
All alcohol in excess of the norm (5 l) will be seized by customs officers upon detection.
Problems of import of alcohol to Russia
Unlike other countries, in Russia the volume of alcohol purchased in duty-free shops is summed up and taken into account. Not only that: if the price for imported products exceeds 250 thousand rubles (for example, for elite cognacs, valuable types of wine or champagne), then such products can be regarded as commercial goods.
In the absence of a declaration, such alcohol will cost you even more. There is a fine of 300 thousand rubles or imprisonment (up to 12 years) under article 200.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. So the question of whether it is possible to carry alcohol on a plane to Russia is a very controversial one.
Let's just say: three liters of any alcohol are allowed, the cost of which does not exceed 250 thousand rubles. Alcohol must be packed in unopened original packaging. That is, there may be problems with homemade wine and moonshine.
Alcohol bought in duty free
Duty free shops are already located in the neutral baggage zone. Only those international passengers who have already checked in their unaccompanied baggage at check-in will get there. Therefore, everything purchased in duty free goes to hand luggage.
The general rules for the transport of alcoholic beverages and alcohol on board an airplane do not include bottles purchased at duty-free shops, even if their volume exceeds one hundred milliliters. That is, you can freely buy alcohol in duty-free.
It is important to observe one simple rule: do not open the bag with alcohol until the flight ends. Airlines are very interested in passengers buying drinks from them.
If you drink your alcohol on board, this may result in a fine. Also, undamaged duty-free packaging will allow you to import products into the country of destination.
Some features of shopping in duty free shops
The price of alcohol includes various excise taxes. That is why buying liquor in duty free is much more profitable than in supermarkets. But here there are pitfalls.
The point here is, first of all, in the norm of transporting alcohol on an airplane, because it is controlled by the airline's requirements for hand luggage. Some of them, especially low-cost airlines, allow only one unit of luggage of small parameters and weighing up to seven kilograms.
In this case, it is important to hide the bag in a briefcase or backpack. Some airlines, such as the Russian Pobeda, require you to pay for carrying on duty-free packages.
The same requirements may be presented to passengers traveling at a promotional rate. Those travelers who fly connecting flights experience even more difficulties.
Let's look at an example. You bought alcohol in Moscow duty free. Arrived in Berlin to follow from there to Tunisia. In this case, in the capital of Germany, you must hand over the package in unaccompanied baggage, since it is allowed to carry alcohol bought in duty-free shops of the European Union. Exactly the same rules apply in the United States.
Import of alcohol into the territory of the European Union
Each country has its own standards, but in general it can be summarized that alcohol with a strength of over 70 percent is banned everywhere. Thus, it is impossible to import absinthe, the Everkler drink and, of course, all kinds of moonshine.
There is an absolute ban on the last drink. After all, only products packaged in intact factory packaging with a label are allowed. Thus, house wine and various kinds of liquors are also excluded.
How much alcohol can I take on a plane to the territory of the European Union? The list is quite extensive. These are 16 liters of beer, 4 liters of low-alcohol “drinks”, 2 liters of wine or other alcohol with a strength of up to 22 degrees and 1 liter of distillates (up to 70 percent alcohol).
Only those who are over 18 years old are allowed to import all these products. Packing alcohol in children's luggage is strictly prohibited.
There are some nuances. Finland, which is a member of the European Union, allows the import of alcohol only if the passenger intends to stay on its territory for more than three days. An adult can carry 1 liter of alcohol above 22 degrees. And people from 18 to 21 years old - 2 liters of low alcohol drinks.
Norms for Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan
Many passengers think that the main thing is to go through customs control for export from Russia. It is a myth. Russian customs officers do not care how much alcohol flows from the country. But in the countries of arrival, passengers are waiting for a real check.
Each state has its own requirements for how much alcohol can be transported on an airplane. So, in Ukraine you can deliver duty-free as many as seven liters of beer, wine or liquor with a strength of not more than 24 degrees. But spirits are allowed to import no more than 1 liter.
Belarus and Kazakhstan make no distinction regarding alcohol by fortress. Whether you are carrying beer or brandy, one thing is important: so that the total volume of drinks does not exceed three liters per adult passenger.
Eastern countries
Even more interesting is the requirement for how much alcohol can be transported on an airplane, in traditional Muslim countries. For example, in Saudi Arabia, alcohol is absolutely prohibited for everyone.
Two liters can be imported into China, regardless of whether it is beer or strong gin. Tourists flying to the UAE need to be extremely careful, because each emirate has its own requirements.
Is Dubai your destination? Then you can take four liters of alcohol. The rate of alcohol in Abu Dhabi and Fujairah is the same. But be prepared to be asked about your religion.
Muslims in the UAE are strictly forbidden to drink strong drinks. In principle, Sharjah has a “dry law”. But two liters of alcohol purchased in duty free are allowed to be imported. Remember that you will have to drink it strictly in the private atmosphere of a hotel room.
Export Problems
As a rule, states only welcome the export of their products. But there are exceptions. For example, Hungary has rather strange requirements. How much alcohol can I carry on a plane in my luggage when leaving the country?
Only one liter of distillate is allowed, 2 liters from 12 to 22 degrees, 4 liters of wine and 16 liters of beer. In any case, it does not hurt to make inquiries on the websites of the customs services of those states where your path lies. It specifies the importation standards, as well as (if practiced) and the export of alcohol.
Practical tips
We have already figured out how many liters of alcohol can be transported on an airplane. Now it remains to pack it correctly. Hard-luggage suitcases are best suited for this. Each bottle must be wrapped in bubble wrap, and then wrapped in some clothes in a suitcase.
Do not place solid objects near containers. Take care to keep the padding between the bottles soft enough. Now for drinking alcohol on the plane. Doctors warn that intoxication at altitude under conditions of artificial compression occurs much faster than on earth, and is more pronounced.
Against rowdy on board are very severe sanctions. If you want to go to the resort after landing, and not to the police station, it is better to refrain from heavy libations.