Bringing Back Beer from your Holiday – What you need to know
As anyone who has been abroad will know, one of the most requested souvenirs is alcohol, particularly beer if you have been to a destination in Europe. However, if you are planning on bringing back beer from your holiday, then there a few things that you are going to need to keep in mind.
The most important thing to remember is that there are a lot of rules and regulations regarding bringing alcohol on board a plane in your checked luggage. Here are a couple of the general rules that you will need to adhere to;
- There is an age limit – Obviously, there are laws regarding drinking age. This doesn’t change, when it comes to carrying beer in your checked luggage. In order to bring beer onto the plane in your checked luggage, you will need to be at least 18 years old. In some cases, you will be asked for proof of this, so make sure you bring your ID with you.
- Container – If you want to bring beer in your checked luggage, then you are going to need to make sure that you are transporting it in its original container, whether this is a bottle or a can. Do not decant the alcohol into a new container because you will be prohibited from flying with it in your checked luggage.
- Amount – As a general rule, there is no limit to how much beer you can bring in your checked luggage, as long as it is fewer than 24%. It is highly unlikely that any beer you buy abroad will be anywhere close to this percentage, but do check just to be on the safe side. If the alcohol that you have purchased is between 24-70% then you will need to be more cautious as there is a limit, usually of 5 litres.
Tips for Carrying Beer in your Checked Luggage
- Protect glass bottles – If you are going to be carrying glass beer bottles in your checked luggage, then it is always wise to make sure that they are protected because the last thing that you want is broken glass and spilled beer to contend with. Wrap each bottle individually for maximum protection.
- Pack your clothes properly – When it comes to carrying alcohol in your suitcase, whether it is in glass bottles or cans, one of the best things that you can do is to make sure that you pack your clothes properly. If you think it through properly, then you will be able to build a protective fort for your beer. Make sure that you have clothing on the top, the bottom, and both sides.
- Consider a separate suitcase – If you plan on bringing a considerable amount of beer with you, then it might be a good idea to consider buying a separate suitcase solely for the purpose of carrying alcohol. It doesn’t have to be an expensive suitcase, but the extra space makes it less likely that anything will get damaged during the flight.
- Buy bottle holders – If you want to add some extra protection, you could perhaps buy some cardboard bottle holders. These bottle holders may look flimsy, but they are actually very sturdy, especially with the added protection of a suitcase. They are also relatively cheap, so you may want to pack some before you actually arrive to your destination to avoid having to find them when you are preparing for your journey home.
The great thing about being abroad is that there are loads of different beers to try, especially if you have been visiting a European country. If you haven’t managed to pick up any during your travels, then don’t worry, there is always the duty free department!
Make some extra time when you are ready for your flight home and take a look at the different beers that are on offer in the duty free department. There are usually plenty of offers to take advantage of. However, it is important that you make sure you keep the rules and regulations in mind.
As long as you remember all of the rules, you can make sure that you can board your flight home without any hold ups. The last thing that you want when you are tired and ready to go home is a hold up when you want to board the plane. If you are unsure of the rules and regulations regarding bringing alcohol in your checked luggage then check with a member of staff at the airport or in duty free, they are usually more than happy to help and will be able to advise you on how much you are allowed to bring and whether there are any other rules that you will need to follow.
