How much Alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap) can I bring into United States?
Restricted
You can bring Alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap) into United States only within the stated limits.
Extra conditions apply
What you need to know
- 1 liter (33.81 US fl oz)
- Value cap: 800 USD
- 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
- Customs Duty Information | U.S. Customs and Border Protection U.S. Customs and Border Protection
- 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 (combined volume and value cap) in United States
- How much alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap) can I bring into United States?
- United States allows 1 liters of alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap) 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 (combined volume and value cap) at United States customs?
- Only above the allowance. Up to 1 liters of alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap) 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 (combined volume and value cap) 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 (combined volume and value cap)?
- 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 (combined volume and value cap) 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 (combined volume and value cap) allowance in United States?
- Yes — 21 years. A traveller under that age gets no allowance for alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap) at all, not a smaller one.
- Can I take alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap) out of United States?
- United States publishes no separate rule for taking alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap) out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
- Does the United States limit for alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap) 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 (combined volume and value cap) 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 (combined volume and value cap) 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 (combined volume and value cap)?
- Of the 20 countries covered here, 1 prohibit alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap), 13 limit it and 6 let it through. United States is among the ones that set a limit.
Source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection — 19 CFR 148.33 - Articles acquired abroad · verified 2026-09-16
Source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection — 19 CFR 148.33 - Articles acquired abroad · verified 2026-09-16
Source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection — 19 CFR Part 148 — Personal Declarations and Exemptions · verified 2026-09-20
Source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection — 19 CFR 145.31 Importations not over $800 in value · verified 2026-09-20
Source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection — 19 CFR 145.31 Importations not over $800 in value · verified 2026-09-20
Source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection — 19 CFR Part 148 — Personal Declarations and Exemptions · verified 2026-09-20
Source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection — 19 CFR 148.33 - Articles acquired abroad · verified 2026-09-16
Source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection — 19 CFR 148.33 -- Articles acquired abroad. · verified 2026-09-19
Source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection — 19 CFR 148.33 - Articles acquired abroad · verified 2026-09-16
Source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection — 19 CFR 148.33 - Articles acquired abroad · verified 2026-09-16