juliagulia

Okay, so I am thinking of buying some Jack Daniels for the friend that I'm going to be visiting in Belfast. I've already checked on the Irish customs thing, and found out I am entitled to bring in up to 1 litre of whiskey. Woohoo.

Now, I'm leaving from the US (Reagan->JFK->DUB) and I'm under 21. I know it's legal for me to transport unopened alcohol in my car, but I can't find any reliable information online about transporting unopened alcohol on a plane. It'd be in my checked luggage, obviously, but I don't want to get be leaving and have them confiscate it off of me. Some people say you absolutely HAVE to be 21, whereas others say it depends on the state. Anyone know for sure?

Thaaaaanks, tpunks.

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Sijuki

I have done some quick checks, and can't find anything that honestly states whether it is legal or illegal. I would just put it in your check baggage, and figure if they do check it, they probably won't reference your age if it's a basic check.

So, you should be safe... but I reckon it is still a risk. If questioned I would just say it is a gift, and hopefully they let you slide.

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simply_angelic

I'd say you'd be fine. The only point at which they might look in your checked bags would be going through customs upon your arrival in dublin (and you're legal to drink there right?). The US would have no reason to check your checked bags before your flight, and if they did they certainly wouldn't have your age attached to the bag I'm sure so as long as you're within the limits of amount legal to transport re: flying you'll be fine.

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Elizabeth

When you get into Dublin just follow everyone else through the Green channel after baggage claim. I have passed thru Dublin airport 8 times and I have never been stopped by customs. Either I don't see them or like last time, there was two of them laughing and having a chat.

And to add...I have brought unopened alcohol the other way in my checked bag, Continental Europe -> DUB -> JFK, and have never had a problem with the actual carrying it. Maybe there would have been a problem at customs since then I wasn't 21 but I've never been stopped by US Customs.

More importantly make sure you show the Irish immigration officers your intent to leave!! Have a printout of your bus ticket to NI or if you're planning on buying that on the spot, show them your flight out of Belfast.

As long as they believe you are leaving immediately I doubt they will ask for this but to be on the safe side have your proof of funds and proof of health insurance - as you only have a one way ticket. They are really suspicious of me because I have a crap load of Irish stamps but hello!! I always leave!

juliagulia

Thanks, e'eryone.

I think I'm just going to make sure it's one litre, box it and gift wrap it. Or something like that. I'm not too worried about once I'm in Dublin, since I'm legal there and I checked all the customs thing there.

I actually don't really know why I was worried. I forgot that I would be putting it in checked luggage, and I'm not there to see it get x-rayed or whatnot so there'd be no issue there.

As for Dublin immigration... I was worried about that because I had remembered your horror stories, Lizz. I'll definitely bring a bank statement and proof of health insurance. I haven't bought the ticket to Belfast yet, mostly because I'm not completely sure which time to buy it for (not sure how long it'll take me to get through customs). I guess I should buy my ticket out of Belfast...

Or perhaps my student visa for a school in England would be enough to convince them I'm not trying to steal their jobs. Mehhh, I need to get on top of this!

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Reminiscing about: Brazil, Canada, Greece, Turkey, Mexico, England, Wales, Ireland, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Portugal, The Netherlands, USA

Living In: Belfast, Northern Ireland


Next up!

Poland (February!)

Dig

I would be worried more about the car ride to the airport (with the Jack), then I would be about flying. I brought back absinthe from Dublin once. Declared it on my customs paper. I had also been to a farm, which is a seperate category, so I was kicked to a "special" line in Houston. The first guy at customs said I might be able to bring it in if they (customs downstairs) had bigger fish to fry. The guy downstairs had no idea why I was there so they just re-checked my luggage and away we went.

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Elizabeth

So they didn't check you for any crap you could have picked up on the farm? Your tax dollars at work people.

RoadTripper

Get it in the duty free shops. Its much cheaper that way.