When passing through airport security in the U.S., you have to abide by the TSA’s strict 3.4-ounce size limit for any liquids, gels, or aerosols stashed in your carry-on. Even if your mini bottle of shampoo or toothpaste is just 0.5 ounces too big, you’ll have no choice but to throw it out before boarding. There is one instance, however, where this size limit may not apply: duty-free purchases. If you buy alcohol at a duty-free shop in the airport, for instance, you may be able to keep it in your carry-on regardless of the bottle’s size. Here’s what you need to know.
Duty-Free: A Brief Explainer
The first thing to note is that duty-free stores are only available to those traveling internationally and not domestically. The idea behind duty-free stores is to allow travelers to buy retail goods such as alcohol, perfume, tobacco, or leather bags without paying local sales tax.
The lack of any local taxes means that products sold by duty-free shops are often cheaper, though you may still be subject to paying taxes on declared goods upon reaching your destination. For more on duty-free shopping — and whether or not it’s a good deal — check out our in-depth guide.
Rules for Duty-Free Liquids
Given that duty-free stores are only available for those traveling internationally, the exemption in question won’t apply to any domestic flights. Additionally, if you’re taking a direct flight from a foreign country back to the U.S. without any connections, you won’t have to pass through a security checkpoint upon landing.
The exemption to the 3.4-ounce size rule primarily applies to flights returning to the United States that involve a domestic connection. Let’s say you buy a bottle of alcohol in London and are traveling back home to Los Angeles via a connecting flight in New York City. You’ll be able to keep the large bottle of liquor in your carry-on bag assuming certain criteria are met.
First, the item must have been purchased from a duty-free store abroad. Second, it must remain untouched in the sealed, tamper-evident bag that the shop provided, and the bag must be transparent. And third, you must have the receipt handy, which shows a purchase within the last 48 hours.
Assuming you check all three boxes, you can keep the liquor in your carry-on (or carry it on separately) throughout the process of making your connection in New York City. But if you fail to meet any of the criteria, you’ll need to transfer the liquor over to your checked luggage before continuing on to L.A. Additionally, if the TSA is unable to screen or clear an item for any reason, you may be forced to check or surrender it, even if you meet the above criteria.
In order to avoid any potential complications or misunderstandings, it’s worth noting that the TSA recommends putting all liquids in your checked baggage, regardless of the criteria outlined above. Doing so should make the security screening process smoother, allowing you to continue on to your connecting flight stress-free.
Packing Precautions
Whether you’re traveling with duty-free liquids inside your carry-on or checked bag, you want to avoid the scenario of the bottle breaking and leaking over the contents of your luggage. If you’re planning to travel with a fragile duty-free item, pack a small amount of bubble wrap and tape that won’t take up too much space in your bag. This could protect the bottle from damage and your clothes from stains.
You may also want to wrap any duty-free liquids in a plush towel or other fabric to create a soft barrier. Another option is to purchase a WineSkin carrying case: This soft, transparent, sealable bag in the shape of a wine bottle can protect any items you purchase from duty-free.
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