Do I have to declare cuban-origin alcoholic beverages at United States customs?

Only above the allowance. Up to 1 liters of cuban-origin alcoholic beverages 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 cuban-origin alcoholic beverages 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 cuban-origin alcoholic beverages?

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 cuban-origin alcoholic beverages 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 cuban-origin alcoholic beverages allowance in United States?

Yes — 21 years. A traveller under that age gets no allowance for cuban-origin alcoholic beverages at all, not a smaller one.

Can I take cuban-origin alcoholic beverages out of United States?

United States publishes no separate rule for taking cuban-origin alcoholic beverages out; the destination's rules are what will apply.

Does the United States limit for cuban-origin alcoholic beverages 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 cuban-origin alcoholic beverages change depending on where I travel from?

Yes. United States publishes a different rule for arrivals from CU, 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 cuban-origin alcoholic beverages rule in United States different for residents, visitors or crew?

This allowance applies to Resident.

How does United States compare with other countries on cuban-origin alcoholic beverages?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 2 prohibit cuban-origin alcoholic beverages, 8 limit it and 10 let it through. United States is among the more permissive.

How much Cuban-origin alcoholic beverages can I bring into United States?

Prohibited

You cannot bring Cuban-origin alcoholic beverages into United States.

Extra conditions apply

Cabin baggage —

Checked baggage —

Declaration Required — surrender

Limit No stated quantity

What you need to know

No stated quantity
Channels: Carried with the traveler
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

31 CFR 515.560 Travel-related transactions to, from, and within Cuba by persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (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 Cuban-origin alcoholic beverages in United States

How much cuban-origin alcoholic beverages can I bring into United States?: United States allows 1 liters of cuban-origin alcoholic beverages 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 cuban-origin alcoholic beverages at United States customs?: Only above the allowance. Up to 1 liters of cuban-origin alcoholic beverages 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 cuban-origin alcoholic beverages 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 cuban-origin alcoholic beverages?: 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 cuban-origin alcoholic beverages 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 cuban-origin alcoholic beverages allowance in United States?: Yes — 21 years. A traveller under that age gets no allowance for cuban-origin alcoholic beverages at all, not a smaller one.
Can I take cuban-origin alcoholic beverages out of United States?: United States publishes no separate rule for taking cuban-origin alcoholic beverages out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the United States limit for cuban-origin alcoholic beverages 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 cuban-origin alcoholic beverages change depending on where I travel from?: Yes. United States publishes a different rule for arrivals from CU, 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 cuban-origin alcoholic beverages rule in United States different for residents, visitors or crew?: This allowance applies to Resident.
How does United States compare with other countries on cuban-origin alcoholic beverages?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 2 prohibit cuban-origin alcoholic beverages, 8 limit it and 10 let it through. United States is among the more permissive.

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 12% ABV