If you intend to bring back a substantial quantity of alcohol for your personal use, you should contact the Customs port you will be re-entering the country through, and make prior arrangements for entering the alcohol into the United States. State laws may limit the amount of alcohol you can bring in without a license. If you arrive in a state that has limitations on the amount of alcohol you may bring in without a license, that state law will be enforced by Customs, even though it may be more restrictive then Federal regulations. We recommend that you check with the state government before you go abroad about their limitations on quantities allowed for personal importation and additional state taxes that might apply. But unlike other kinds of merchandise, amounts of alcohol and unrestricted cigarettes, beyond those discussed here as being duty-free are taxed, even if you have not exceeded, or even met, your personal exemption.
Federal law prohibits shipping alcoholic beverages by mail within the United States.
For further information, and to verify that the information provided is still current, please visit the U.S. Customs Web site . Send this page to a friend or Associate.