Canuckian Seeking Grape Relaxation in Mickey's House

March 7, 2018 7:23 PM

Can Canucks Bring Wine into the United States of America?

So we are going to Walt Disney World tomorrow for a week. We wanted to bring some wine in our checked luggage for nightcap purposes (to avoid having to buy hilariously marked-up Disney gift shop wine). Can we do this? If so, is there a limit on what we can bring in our checked luggage? Guys we are going to Disney with a 7 and a 9 year old so this question is clearly of paramount importance. Thanks!

posted by joelhunt to Travel & Transportation (11 answers total)

If it's just wine and not liquor (technically, if it's less than 24% alcohol), the FAA won't care how much you put in your checked luggage; however, be absolutely sure to declare it at customs, and be prepared to possibly pay duty and/or taxes on any quantities over 1 liter per adult.

My wife and I brought back two 750ml bottles of Jameson back from Dublin in my checked bag and had no issues.
posted by SquidLips at 7:36 PM on March 7, 2018

Just go to any grocery store and buy some wine when you get there. Alcohol is nearly free in the USA.
posted by axismundi at 8:35 PM on March 7, 2018

Yeah, just stop at a grocery store on the way. Bring your photo ID, it'll take like five minutes and you'll be stocked up for cheap. California doesn't do that whole "liquor control board" thing, no reason to import unless to really want a specific Canadian drink, or if you expect to be physically restricted by Disney security on the way to/from the property, which isn't exactly legal but hey it's Disney who knows?
posted by aramaic at 10:46 PM on March 7, 2018

So we are going to Walt Disney World

California doesn't do that whole "liquor control board" thing

A quick Google for Florida liquor pulled up the dreaded "ABC Fine Wine and Spirits," but also a Publix hit. So, if this is Disney World (Not Disneyland), situation may be different. Maybe someone in Orlando could say?
posted by Pax at 2:24 AM on March 8, 2018

Meaning, if it's like Pennsylvania, SOME grocery stores might have wine, but not all by a long shot.
posted by Pax at 2:25 AM on March 8, 2018

I went to Disney World about 10 years ago, and I drank a lot back then, so I have personally explored the cheap drinking options there. If you have a car, it’ll be pretty easy to get wine at a beer/wine store outside the park, like on your way from the airport. If you don’t have a car, it’s trickier, and it’ll depend on where you’re staying. My friend’s parents put us up in two different hotels, and the first one was just a short walk from a gas station where they had tons of beer (and maybe wine? I’m not a wine drinker). The second hotel was elsewhere in the park (Disney is huge), and I remember the options being much more limited.

As far as liquor store laws, yeah it might be good to check.

My $0.02 is: if you’re renting a car, don’t bother bringing wine and just get stop at a grocery store on the way to Disney. If you’re not renting a car, you’re probably better off bringing your own wine.
posted by shapes that haunt the dusk at 3:22 AM on March 8, 2018

Just to confirm SquidLips's statement, here it is straight from the CBP:

One American liter (33.8 fl. oz.) of alcoholic beverages may be included in your returning resident personal exemption if:

• You are at least 21 years old.
• It is intended exclusively for your personal use and not for sale.
• It does not violate the laws of the state in which you arrive.

Federal and state regulations allow you to bring back one liter of an alcoholic beverage for personal use duty-free. However, states may allow you to bring back more than one liter, but you will have to pay any applicable Customs duty and IRT.

While federal regulations do not specify a limit on the amount of alcohol you may bring back beyond the personal exemption amount, unusual quantities may raise suspicions that you are importing the alcohol for other purposes, such as for resale.

Elsewhere on that page, it is noted that the base tariff on imported goods beyond one's personal exemption is 3% of their value, plus any other federal and state taxes that might be due.
posted by Johnny Assay at 4:30 AM on March 8, 2018

As a Canadian bringing alcohol into the US and not wanting to mess around with taxis since you’re likely doing the whole airport transfer:

Each adult (age 21 or older) can bring up to 1 Litre of alcohol into the U.S. (including liquor, wine, beer, etc.) duty- free. However, you must be staying in the U.S. for at least 72 hours.

Any additional amounts may be subject to hefty duty, taxes and fees.

Pack them securely ....

Or is there an option for a stop at Duty free once you pass security?
posted by tilde at 5:15 AM on March 8, 2018

So there are Publix stores in Orlando and most (all?) carry wine. Instacart delivers beer and wine from Publix. Given these two facts, I might call up Instacart and ask if they deliver to the hotel you are staying in. If so, have them deliver a flat of water and some snacks too. Lots of people don’t know this, but you are allowed to bring your own food and non-alcoholic drinks into the parks.
posted by PorcineWithMe at 7:30 AM on March 8, 2018

When I went to the one in Orlando, it was very easy to grab a very cheap bottle of wine at a corner store/gas station on our way to the hotel from wherever the disney shuttle thing dropped us off. I'm almost positive we walked, not drove, but memory is a bit fuzzy as it's been about 10 years.

Anyway it should be easy to look up what's near your hotel, and it's probably much much easier (and cheaper) than fussing around with checking it in your luggage.
posted by randomnity at 7:35 AM on March 8, 2018

The Publix right by Disney World's West side (close to Animal Kingdom Lodge) is the "Orange Lake" one and it definitely had wine. Though there was a state "blue law" so they couldn't sell before noon on Sunday or something, which we happened to run into as we were making a grocery run before check-in. I'm 99% sure the other one "Regency Village" also carries wine. I do recommend a car at Disney World, as it's super spread out and the buses, even to the Deluxe resorts, don't run on as often as you would hope and don't run off-site at all. So to me the car is worth it for the flexibility on the property, and being able to make a quick Publix run is just a bonus. However, don't overlook Epcot, it is marked up but they have some decent stuff in the various country pavilions. We were on site with only a few hours notice before a direct hit from a Category 3 hurricane (Disney Cruise Line, I'm looking at you!) and that was by far our best option as the in-hotel shops were extremely expensive.
posted by wnissen at 9:07 AM on March 8, 2018