Rules checked October 26, 2026
US duty-free alcohol allowance: how much liquor you can bring back
Each traveler 21 or over can bring 1 liter of alcohol into the US without paying duty. That's one 1 liter bottle, or one 750 ml or 700 ml bottle. You can bring more, but the extra is charged customs duty and tax.
The liter is part of your personal exemption, usually $800 when you return from abroad. The state where you first land can be stricter, and CBP enforces its law.
What 1 liter looks like in bottles
Duty-free shops sell whisky in 1 L, 750 ml and 700 ml bottles. Only the first liter is duty free; a second bottle isn't banned, it's taxed.
| Bottles | Total | All duty free? |
|---|---|---|
| 1 × 1 L | 1 L | Yes |
| 1 × 750 ml | 0.75 L | Yes |
| 1 × 700 ml | 0.7 L | Yes |
| 2 × 700 ml | 1.4 L | No, duty on 0.4 L |
| 2 × 750 ml | 1.5 L | No, duty on 0.5 L |
| 2 × 1 L | 2 L | No, duty on 1 L |
The liter covers all alcohol together, so wine and beer count towards it too.
Who gets the allowance
- US residents returning from abroad, 21 or over, for alcohol meant for their own use and not for sale.
- Visitors who don't live in the US: adults can also bring 1 liter for their own use.
- Per person. Families traveling together can combine purchases on one declaration, but each adult has their own liter, and children under 21 have none.
- Not as a gift. Alcohol can't be mailed duty free as a gift, and gifts worth more than $5 that contain alcohol don't count towards the gift exemption.
Bigger allowances: US Virgin Islands and the Caribbean
- US Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam: a $1,600 exemption that can include up to 5 liters of alcohol.
- Caribbean Basin and Andean countries: you can include 2 liters in the $800 exemption if one of them was made in one of those countries.
- Cruise ships: only 1 liter bought in the ship's duty-free shop is eligible.
- The $200 exemption (used when you can't claim the others, for example after less than 48 hours abroad) allows only 150 ml of alcohol.
If you bring more than 1 liter
- Declare all the alcohol you bought abroad to the CBP officer.
- CBP charges customs duty on the extra (its example is 3% on a second liter of liquor) plus Internal Revenue Tax.
- The state where you first arrive decides how much alcohol you may bring and whether you need a license. Check with that state's alcoholic beverage control board if you plan to bring a lot.
Connecting flights and the liquids rule
On a flight into the US you clear customs at your first US airport, then go through TSA security again if you connect. TSA lets duty-free liquids over 3.4 oz (100 ml) stay in your carry-on if:
- you bought them abroad and are flying to the US with a connection,
- the shop packed them in a clear, sealed, tamper-evident bag, and
- you have the original receipt and bought them within the last 48 hours.
TSA still screens the bottles, and anything it can't clear is not allowed in the cabin. The simplest option is to move the bottles into your checked bag when you recheck it after customs.
Where to compare prices
Whisky prices vary a lot between airports. Enter your route on the route planner to see which airport on your trip is cheapest for each bottle, or open a price list:
- Cancún duty free
- Los Cabos duty free
- Puerto Vallarta duty free
- Mexico City duty free
- Vancouver duty free
- Toronto Pearson duty free
- London Heathrow duty free
- Frankfurt duty free
- Dubai duty free
Common questions
How much alcohol can I bring into the US duty free?
One liter (33.8 fl oz) per person, if you are at least 21, it is for your own use and not for sale, and it is legal in the state where you arrive. It counts as part of your $800 personal exemption.
Can I bring two bottles of whisky back to the US?
Yes, federal law sets no maximum for personal use. The first liter is duty free; anything above it is charged customs duty plus Internal Revenue Tax. The state where you first arrive can set its own limit.
Is duty-free alcohol tax free when I land in the US?
Not automatically. CBP says goods bought in a duty-free shop are not automatically free of duty. A duty-free shop sells free of the local tax where you buy, but US customs rules still apply when you arrive.
Do I get more than 1 liter from the US Virgin Islands?
Yes. Coming from the US Virgin Islands, American Samoa or Guam, the exemption is $1,600 and can include up to 5 liters of alcohol. From an eligible Caribbean Basin or Andean country, you can include 2 liters if one of them was made there.
Can I carry duty-free liquor on a connecting flight in the US?
Yes, in your carry-on, if the shop sealed it in a clear tamper-evident bag, you have the original receipt and you bought it within 48 hours. TSA still screens it and recommends putting large liquids in checked baggage after customs.
What happens if I don't declare alcohol over the limit?
Declare everything you bought abroad. Undeclared goods can be seized and you can be fined.
This guide summarizes US Customs and Border Protection and TSA guidance as of October 26, 2026. It isn't legal advice, and customs officers have the final say. Official sources: CBP customs duty information, CBP types of exemptions and the TSA liquids rule.