The TSA allows duty free liquor to be carried onto planes. It’s allowed through security as long as it’s in a tamper evident bag along with the receipt dated within 48 hours. I’ve done this dozens of times. It’s rarely because I think duty free is a great deal, it’s mostly because I can get unique or liquors unavailable in the United States.
Bottom Line: The process of carrying full size duty free liquor through TSA security appears to be relatively unknown. Bringing Duty Free liquor through TSA Security straightforward and explicitly allowed by the TSA.
Duty Free Liquor at TSA Security Rules
If you’re arriving to the US on an international flight, you’ll first pass immigration and customs. If you then have a connecting flight, you’ll need to pass through security again. A 1L liquor bottle is clearly larger than the 100ml/3oz that’s permitted for carry on liquids. However, there is a specific carve out for duty free liquor. According to the TSA, up to 5L of 48-140 proof liquor can be carried through TSA Security.
To carry duty free liquor through TSA Security, you must follow the rules:
- The liquor must be in a sealed, tamper evident bag.
- There must be a receipt from the previous 48 hours in the bag.
- The limit is 5l per person for TSA. Just remember the Duty Free limit is 1l before you must pay tax.
- 140 proof/70% alcohol content is the limit, no very high proof booze is allowed carry on or checked.
TSA Security with Duty Free Liquor Process
First, the process starts when you buy the booze. The sales person will often ask if you have a connecting flight, if so, they’ll package the bottle into a tamper proof bag with the receipt. Make sure they do use the bag, sometimes you have to ask, other times it’s automatic.
When you land in the US, pass through immigration and customs as required. Declare anything you need to declare.
Passing through TSA with a bottle of liquor is easy, I put the sealed bottle into it’s own tray for the x-ray machine and notify the TSA agent I have duty free liquor. Occasionally I’ve gotten a confused look where they apparently needed to get a more senior agent to confirm the rules. Occasionally they will open the bag and swab the bottle. Other times they will just check the receipt through the plastic. Very hit and miss. If they do open the bag, they can seal the bag again with TSA tape.
Duty Free Liquor and TSA Final Thoughts
On a recent trip home, before landing, the flight attendant made an announcement that duty free liquids would need to be placed into checked luggage. When going though TSA security after passing customs and passport control, a fellow passenger commented on my 1L bottle of alcohol. I mentioned this is perfectly allowed and he watched the process and was amazed.
I’ve done this dozens of times without issue. I’ve even used it at different arrival and departure airports(JFK to LGA). It’s 100% allowed to bring full size duty free liquor through security onto planes as your carry on.