Do I have to declare Alcoholic beverages above 12% ABV at United States customs?

Only above the allowance. Up to 1 liters of Alcoholic beverages above 12% ABV there is nothing to declare; beyond it you take the goods through the red channel and pay the duty.

What happens if I do not declare Alcoholic beverages above 12% ABV in United States?

Under 19 CFR 148.102, if you declare the excess yourself: a flat-rate charge is applied to the excess; the normal duty becomes payable on the excess. Under 19 CFR 148.18, if the goods are found without being declared: the goods are confiscated; an administrative fine is imposed. Under 19 U.S.C. 1497: the goods are confiscated; an administrative fine is imposed.

Do duty-free purchases count toward the United States allowance for Alcoholic beverages above 12% ABV?

Yes. What you buy in an arrival duty-free shop comes out of the same allowance, so the shop does not add to what you may already be carrying.

Can I post or ship Alcoholic beverages above 12% ABV to United States instead of carrying it?

Not under this allowance. It covers goods a traveller carries; a parcel is an import and is assessed under the postal rules instead. Baggage sent before or after you travels under the same allowance.

Is there a minimum age for the Alcoholic beverages above 12% ABV allowance in United States?

Yes — 21 years. A traveller under that age gets no allowance for Alcoholic beverages above 12% ABV at all, not a smaller one.

Can I take Alcoholic beverages above 12% ABV out of United States?

United States publishes no separate rule for taking Alcoholic beverages above 12% ABV out; the destination's rules are what will apply.

Does the United States limit for Alcoholic beverages above 12% ABV apply per person or per family?

Per person. Each traveller carries their own allowance and it cannot be pooled with anyone else's.

Does the United States rule for Alcoholic beverages above 12% ABV change depending on where I travel from?

Yes. United States publishes a different rule for arrivals from AS, GU, MP, VI.

Where does this rule come from?

U.S. Customs and Border Protection states it in 19 CFR 148.33 - Articles acquired abroad. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-16. The sentence it rests on reads: “No alcoholic beverages will be included in the case of an individual who has not attained the age of 21; and (3) No more than 1 liter of alcoholic beverages may be included”

Is the Alcoholic beverages above 12% ABV rule in United States different for residents, visitors or crew?

This allowance applies to Resident.

How does United States compare with other countries on Alcoholic beverages above 12% ABV?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 1 prohibit Alcoholic beverages above 12% ABV, 16 limit it and 3 let it through. United States is among the ones that set a limit.

How much Alcoholic beverages above 12% ABV can I bring into United States?

Restricted

You can bring Alcoholic beverages above 12% ABV into United States only within the stated limits.

Extra conditions apply

Carried Limited

Declaration Above allowance

Limit 1 liter

What you need to know

1 liter (33.81 US fl oz)
Channels: Carried with the traveler
Extra conditions apply
1 liter (33.81 US fl oz)
Channels: Carried with the traveler
Extra conditions apply
2 liter (67.63 US fl oz)
Channels: Carried with the traveler
Extra conditions apply
1 liter (33.81 US fl oz)
Channels: Carried with the traveler
Extra conditions apply

On the plane

Airline differences

Airline	Difference from the baseline
Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA)	Stricter than the standard rule

Important

This allowance applies per person, not per family or group.

Official sources

Last verified 2026-09-19

19 CFR 148.33 Articles acquired abroad U.S. Customs and Border Protection (eCFR)
19 CFR 148.33 - Articles acquired abroad U.S. Customs and Border Protection
19 CFR 148.43 - Tobacco products and alcoholic beverages U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Questions about Alcoholic beverages above 12% ABV in United States

How much Alcoholic beverages above 12% ABV can I bring into United States?: United States allows 1 liters of Alcoholic beverages above 12% ABV per traveller. Above that the goods are treated as an import and duty becomes payable. The allowance is per traveller and cannot be pooled between people.
Do I have to declare Alcoholic beverages above 12% ABV at United States customs?: Only above the allowance. Up to 1 liters of Alcoholic beverages above 12% ABV there is nothing to declare; beyond it you take the goods through the red channel and pay the duty.
What happens if I do not declare Alcoholic beverages above 12% ABV in United States?: Under 19 CFR 148.102, if you declare the excess yourself: a flat-rate charge is applied to the excess; the normal duty becomes payable on the excess. Under 19 CFR 148.18, if the goods are found without being declared: the goods are confiscated; an administrative fine is imposed. Under 19 U.S.C. 1497: the goods are confiscated; an administrative fine is imposed.
Do duty-free purchases count toward the United States allowance for Alcoholic beverages above 12% ABV?: Yes. What you buy in an arrival duty-free shop comes out of the same allowance, so the shop does not add to what you may already be carrying.
Can I post or ship Alcoholic beverages above 12% ABV to United States instead of carrying it?: Not under this allowance. It covers goods a traveller carries; a parcel is an import and is assessed under the postal rules instead. Baggage sent before or after you travels under the same allowance.
Is there a minimum age for the Alcoholic beverages above 12% ABV allowance in United States?: Yes — 21 years. A traveller under that age gets no allowance for Alcoholic beverages above 12% ABV at all, not a smaller one.
Can I take Alcoholic beverages above 12% ABV out of United States?: United States publishes no separate rule for taking Alcoholic beverages above 12% ABV out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the United States limit for Alcoholic beverages above 12% ABV apply per person or per family?: Per person. Each traveller carries their own allowance and it cannot be pooled with anyone else's.
Does the United States rule for Alcoholic beverages above 12% ABV change depending on where I travel from?: Yes. United States publishes a different rule for arrivals from AS, GU, MP, VI.
Where does this rule come from?: U.S. Customs and Border Protection states it in 19 CFR 148.33 - Articles acquired abroad. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-16. The sentence it rests on reads: “No alcoholic beverages will be included in the case of an individual who has not attained the age of 21; and (3) No more than 1 liter of alcoholic beverages may be included”
Is the Alcoholic beverages above 12% ABV rule in United States different for residents, visitors or crew?: This allowance applies to Resident.
How does United States compare with other countries on Alcoholic beverages above 12% ABV?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 1 prohibit Alcoholic beverages above 12% ABV, 16 limit it and 3 let it through. United States is among the ones that set a limit.

Related items

Accompanied cash Accompanying goods, non-commercial (flat-rate band) Agricultural/forestry/fishery/livestock products (general sub-cap) Alcohol and alcoholic beverages above 22% vol (or undenatured ethyl alcohol 80% vol and over)

Related countries

Australia Canada China France

Other items in this group

Alcohol and alcoholic beverages above 22% vol (or undenatured ethyl alcohol 80% vol and over) Alcohol and alcoholic beverages up to and including 22% vol Alcoholic beverages (all types) Alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap) Alcoholic beverages (standard 760 ml bottle) Alcoholic beverages above 22% ABV