Ever come across this really great liquor that you just want to take home to your country and enjoy it with friends or family? If yes, then you may have spent an ample amount of time checking the sheer quantity you can stuff inside your luggage. Then you realize the complexity of all the different rules and regulations that surround this. Don’t clutch your head just yet. Here’s a concise guide to carrying alcohol to India via international flights.
India’s Quantity Restriction
Every country has its own set of rules when it comes to carrying liquor from one place to the other. For example, the USA has strict rules about carrying certain quantities of alcohol into the country. US Customs set a bar at 1 liter of duty-free alcohol per person that you can carry into the country. That means, you’re required to pay duty on the rest of the alcohol that goes beyond the said amount.
India offers quite the flexibility in terms of the quantity of alcohol allowed in international flights. You can carry a total of 5 liters of alcohol per person on a single flight. In this, you are allowed to carry 2 liters of duty-free alcohol. The remaining quantity will face custom and duty charges. If in case, somehow you measured wrong and it exceeds 5 liters, you will need to discard the amount that surpasses the legal limit.
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Packing Your Alcohol For Travel
It’s assumed that if you have stored alcohol in your check-in luggage, you have purchased it before you went into the security area. This is legal and a-okay. However, you need to be careful of the alcohol you put in your carry-on. You are not permitted to carry alcohol in your carry-on before the security area. Following the security checks, you can go ahead and purchase duty-free alcohol, which is usually packed in clear plastic bags or retail containers, and put it in your carry-on. Remember the limit – 2 liters duty-free alcohol in total is permitted.
If you were wondering – no, you’re not allowed to drink your own alcohol on the flight. You can only consume the alcohol that is served to you on the flight.
The Age Limit
You have to be of legal age to purchase alcohol. For example, the legal age in Maharashtra is 25 years of age. Anyone below the age will not be permitted to purchase duty-free alcohol. We advise that you make it a custom to check age limits pertaining to all the countries where you would be halted or will be undergoing security.
Just because you can carry 2 liters of duty-free alcohol, does not mean that you can just hide it in your (minor) younger sibling’s or child’s carry-on bags. These alcohols will not be exempt from duty. Just in case minor’s bags are checked during international travel, and the minor denies claims over the alcohol, it will be discarded and dumped. Otherwise, minors can carry alcohol in their check-in luggage, if it meets the quantity limits.
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Types Of Alcohol Beverages That Are Permitted
If you have read our article on Blackout Alcohols, you already know that there exists a list of alcohols that surpass the ABV of 70%. Just in case you come across one and want to carry it back home, let us clear the air. You are prohibited to carry alcoholic beverages that exceed the alcohol by volume of 70% (140 proof).
You can safely carry 2 liters of duty-free alcohols that range between 24% and 70% ABV. This includes all types of hard liquors like whiskey, rum, vodka, gin, etc.
Thinking about alcohols less than 24% ABV? These are not considered hazardous by law. Unfortunately, all alcohols fall under the same category, regardless of their ABV levels. That means, these also have a limit of 2 liters of duty-free alcohol per person.
Countries That Just Say No To Alcohol
Some countries like Kuwait do not allow passengers to carry alcoholic beverages on the flight. These strict rules can get your alcohol dumped before you can even reach your home country. Keep it in mind to check which countries allow you to carry alcohol to and from the country beforehand.
Here are some of the countries that forbid alcohol:
- Afghanistan
- Bangladesh
- Brunei
- Iran
- Kuwait
- Libya
- Maldives
- Saudi Arabia
- Somalia
- Sudan
- Yemen
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Summing Up
Now that you know the exact amount you can carry, and how to carry it without issues, don’t forget to pack internationally acclaimed brands so that you can enjoy alcohol from around the world! Happy drinking and safe travels mate.
FAQs
How many bottles of liquor can I buy at duty-free India?
You can buy 2 liters of duty-free alcohol in India. If the quantity surpasses this limit, you will have to pay duty and taxes that have been mentioned in the regulations. Also check the valuation of your alcohol. Delhi Duty Free highlights that it cannot exceed INR 50,000.
Can I carry 3 700ml bottles to India?
3 bottles of 700 ml amounts to 2100 ml in total. You can carry 2 liters of duty-free alcohol to India, but you will have to pay duty on the extra 100 ml.
What airport has the largest duty-free?
Haikou International Duty-Free City Shopping Complex is the world’s largest duty-free in terms of physical size. This place spans just over three million square feet and is located in Haikou, China.
