Packing Question

[susanpmtbc]

I'm taking several bottles of wine as gifts for our hosts in Germany (no cracks here, please ;D) and am wondering what the best way to transport it would be. I'm guessing that I wouldn't be allowed to take them on the plane in my carry-on...so if I wrap them up well in bubble wrap, and have them in the middle of the suitcase, should that be safe?

[MuvverRussia]

Bubble wrap and a few old towels should be fine. I'd pack the bottles in old towels just in case they were to crack - the towels will absorb the worst of the spillage.

That said, you normally can take glass bottles in the cabin with you (duty free etc) and I've taken a glass bottle of non duty free vodka on a flight from London to Oslo before, so I doubt you'll have a problem taking them in the cabin. That said, you only have a finite amount of hand luggage space/weight and wine bottles are quite hefty, so you may be better carrying them in the hold?

[Eagle]

In addition to Muvver's suggestion, I'd suggest also placing each of the bottles in a large zip-lok bag, just in case they should break or "spring a leak". Then pack them in bubble wrap, and pad that further with rolled-up clothing. That should be adequate (although if you encounter a "thirsty" airport baggage handler, you may have a problem!).

Cheers!!!

[susanpmtbc]

I see that I am a "junior travel member." How is my status determined, by the number of posts? number of trips? number of times I log in? Anyway, back to packing my bottles of wine. My husband is wondering if I can even bring alcohol into another country (Germany) without paying some kind of fee or tax. Anyone have knowledge on this? Do they go through luggage and carry-ons or are we just asked what we have? I'm thinking now that perhaps the best way to take it will be in my carry-on, all properly wrapped to avoid breakage, of course. Then I can stow it away for the trip and not to worry!

[MuvverRussia]

Susan - status is generally determined by your number of posts .

As for duty, you should be ok unless you're taking loads of booze. Basically it's the same as if you were to take duty free alcohol into Germany. The complete limits for Germany (per person) are below:

200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco; 1l of spirits with an alcohol content exceeding 22 per cent by volume or 2l of spirits or liqueurs with an alcohol content not exceeding 22 per cent by volume or 2l of sparkling or liqueur wine; 2l of any other wine; 50g of perfume or 250ml of eau de toilette; 500g of coffee or 200g of coffee extracts; personal goods to the value of &Euro;175.00.

There are 3 channels at customs. Red, Green and Blue. Blue is for EU arrivals, as no duty is payable on goods bought in other EU countries (within reason, there are some exceptions). Red is something to declare, green is nothing to declare. If you have 4 people over 18 then you'll have a large duty free limit, so go through the green channel - you may be stopped here and searched (customs reserve the right to do this), but I doubt you'll have a problem.

[Eagle]

If you stress that the Wine is for "gifts", I don't think you'll have a problem. You said you were only taking a few bottles - shouldn't be a problem.

As always though, be honest and upfront with the Customs people!!!

[LHR02]

I, too, wondered about the import regulations. But as Eagle said, be honest at all times and at worst you might have to pay a small import tax. But......I'd go to the green line, nothing to declare, every time. You are not taking 'cases', right? Just a few bottles for gifts? Last trip I came back with 8 bottles...well over my personal limit, declared nothing and no one batted an eye at me. Risky? Maybe. But I've done it several times with nary a question...but was prepared to pay if questioned.


Oh...and yes, your 'status' is based solely on the number of posts...totally computer managed. No one here is deciding what status you have.