unable to bring liquor into the USA

[metsphan23 2]

me and my wife were traveling from guayaquil, ecuador, via miami, to new york. we bought some bottles of liquor after security in guayquil, put them in our carry ons. upon entering in MIA, after customs, security made us throw them away. shouldnt the store where we bought the liquor have told us we cannot take that into the USA? we already got our money back, but still for the next time I would like to know.

 

Thank you

 

maybe he thought we were flying domestic within ecuador?

[Umka36 781]

I've brought plenty of liquor oversea as gifts, and had no issues. I just declared it.

 

[Unidentified 2,930]

1 hour ago, metsphan23 said:

me and my wife were traveling from guayaquil, ecuador, via miami, to new york. we bought some bottles of liquor after security in guayquil, put them in our carry ons. upon entering in MIA, after customs, security made us throw them away. shouldnt the store where we bought the liquor have told us we cannot take that into the USA? we already got our money back, but still for the next time I would like to know.

 

Thank you

 

maybe he thought we were flying domestic within ecuador?

I think it depends on the state laws and the store you bought it from would not know. Sometimes you need a permit but I believe it depends on how much you are bringing in. Check your state laws. 

[Ontarkie 14,230]

I want to say the issue was you put it in your carry on. I thought they restricted the amount of liquid that can be on you? 

[Unidentified 2,930]

3 minutes ago, Ontarkie said:

I want to say the issue was you put it in your carry on. I thought they restricted the amount of liquid that can be on you? 

No, that is for when you go through the airport security. The alcohol was bought AFTER security, at the  (I'm assuming) tax-free shop and he got them confiscated at customs in the US.

Edited July 19, 2018 by Unidentified

[Ontarkie 14,230]

9 minutes ago, Unidentified said:

No, that is for when you go through the airport security. The alcohol was bought AFTER security, at the  (I'm assuming) tax-free shop and he got them confiscated at customs in the US.

Ah I see. So weird then. 

[Unidentified 2,930]

8 minutes ago, Ontarkie said:

Ah I see. So weird then. 

I agree. The only reason I can think of is that Florida has some law that restricts the amount you can bring in without a permit. 

[metsphan23 2]

the lady at security in miami said we needed some kind of TSA approved bag...anyone know what this is?

[Unidentified 2,930]

2 minutes ago, metsphan23 said:

the lady at security in miami said we needed some kind of TSA approved bag...anyone know what this is?

It's a (usually) see-through bag that has been sealed by the tax-free shop. 

Edited July 19, 2018 by Unidentified

[metsphan23 2]

13 minutes ago, Unidentified said:

It's a (usually) see-through bag that has been sealed by the tax-free shop. 

oh ok. and they were supposed to do this in ecuador? we had to buy the bag in ecuador?

Edited July 19, 2018 by metsphan23

[Unidentified 2,930]

1 minute ago, metsphan23 said:

oh ok. and they were supposed to do this in ecuador?

If you bought it at the airport yes. And it can't be opened during the journey. At least that is the requirement in Europe. I'm not familiar with South America. But that's what they do in Europe, the tax-free store sealed them in a bag. And it feels like that is what the CBP was looking for. 

[metsphan23 2]

does anyone have a link to what exactly a TSA approved bag looks like? i cant find anything on google

[Unidentified 2,930]

https://www.tsa.gov/blog/2014/01/07/tsa-travel-tips-tuesday-traveling-alcoholic-beverages

 

Edit to add: Didn't realize this was from 4 years ago. I'll see if I can find one more recent as something might have changed in 4 years.

Edited July 19, 2018 by Unidentified

[Umka36 781]

https://www.wheretraveler.com/tsas-new-rules-duty-free-alcohol

 

"The new TSA rules that allows duty-free liquor in carry-ons does come with limitations, though. Bottles must be purchased in duty-free shops overseas, and they must be placed in "secure, tamper-evident bags" (also known as STEBs) that are subject to screening by the TSA."

 

[Alabamak1 688]

@metsphan23 the bottle have to be purchased at jose joaquin de olmedo airport inside the duty free area of the airport. the receipt needs to be included inside the bag, i believe. you are only allowed 1 liter or it will be taxed here in the US at POE. not declaring it....is against the law. which of the following did you not do? I have used jose joaquin de olmedo less than a year ago and brought 1 liter of alcohol no problems. i did that also in Kiev and no problem. alcohol cannot be purchased outside the duty free area even if you managed to get it into the airport. in US territory it will incur tax or be disposed of.