Traveling on a plane can truly be an exciting experience, especially when you get to sip your favorite beverage. But when you are going to board the flight for the very first time, you may want to know whether alcoholic beverages like beer are allowed.
You can bring beer on a plane but this is subject to various guidelines. Usually, these are decided by the TSA. However, airlines can also have their own terms for bringing beer or other such beverages.
Can You Bring Beer on a Plane as per TSA?
Whether you can bring beer on a flight or not will depend on the rules of the Transportation Security Authority (TSA). In sync with the TSA rules, any alcoholic beverage that has 24% Alcohol by Volume (ABV) can be packed without any maximum limit in the checked baggage.
- For carry-on bags, the 3-1-1 liquid rule will be applied to beer.
- It means you can only keep beer bottles or cans that are 3.4 ounces/100 ml or less.
- This should comfortably fit in your clear and single bag.
- Make certain that this bag is of quart size and zip top.
Since it is not possible to have such a small quantity in your bag, one can say that it is more like a “no-go” to beer bottles and cans in the carry-on items.
Can I Bring Beer on a Plane in Checked Baggage?
As mentioned above, the rules of TSA are there that will be applied to beer cans and bottles. You should know the same beforehand. Some points have also been listed below:
- The percentage of alcohol should be 24 or less for unlimited units.
- You can only bring 5 liters if the ABV is 70% or more.
- Passengers are not allowed to travel with beer or other alcoholic beverages if the ABV is over 70% in checked as well as carry-on bags.
Now, you must have understood that beer that has 24% or less ABV has no limit; you can easily keep 6-12 packs in your checked luggage.
Can You Bring Beer on a Plane as a Carry-On Bag?
With respect to the latest TSA rules, you will be allowed to carry beers. But they will be counted as liquid items. Hence, you can only bring 100 ml or 3.4 ounces in your carry-on bag. If you can find a beer bottle or can with this limit, then you can bring it very easily.
Are You Allowed to Bring Beer on a Plane Domestically and Internationally?
While flying to or from an international route, every passenger is restricted to having to keep beer bottles. Based on the TSA terms, you can only keep the product’s quantity that is a maximum of up to 100 ml or 3.4 ounces. This limit is applied to carry-on bags only.
However, for checked items, the rules may vary. Depending on the location, you can only keep a certain amount with you. Some details have been listed below:
Mexico:
- The permitted limit is a maximum of up to 5 liters with 70% of ABV.
Canada:
- The ABV of alcoholic beverages should not be more than 70%.
- You can only bring beer with 24% ABV (unlimited) and up to 5 liters if the Alcohol by Volume is between 24-70%.
United Kingdom:
- No limit for the beer is observed if the ABV is 24% or less.
- For ABV between 24-70%, the quantity should not be more than 5 liters.
- You cannot bring the product if the ABV is more than 70%.
Within the European Union:
- While traveling within the European Union, you cannot bring more than:
- 110 liters of beer,
- 90 liters of wine (along with 60 liters of sparkling wine),
- 20 liters of fortified wine,
- and 10 liters of spirits.
To or From European Union:
- While entering a nation of the European Union from a non-European Union destination, the limit will be decreased.
- As per the rules, you can only bring:
- 16 liters of beer,
- 2 liters of sparkling or fortified wine,
- 1 liter of spirits,
- and 4 liters of wine.
Can You Bring Beer Bottles on a Plane and What Airline Options are There?
All air operators follow the rules and regulations created by the TSA. When it comes to traveling with beer, you will have to follow the carry-on and checked baggage rules as per this body. In simple terms, if you follow the TSA rules, you can travel with any airline with beer.
Can You Bring Unopened Duty-Free Beer on a Plane?
You can get a beer or any other alcoholic beverage from any duty-free shop available at the airport. You will need to pack it in a security tamper-evident bag (STEB).
- But once you do it, you will not be permitted to open it on the flight at any cost.
- When it comes to the limit, you can only bring 1 liter of unopened duty-free beer.
- However, the limit may vary from one destination to another.
Can You Bring Beer on a Connecting Flight?
Every nation may have different rules and regulations for allowing this type of beverage. But things will be different if you are traveling to or within the United States.
- You can keep the beer bottles or cans in your carry-on bag.
- Please do so as per the prescribed limit.
- In addition to this, it should be tamper-evident, secure, and transparent.
- The beer must be purchased within 48 hours before the flight.
- You must keep the receipt of the item to prove it.
How to Bring Beer Back on a Plane?
To bring beer back on the plane, you should know how to securely pack it. Check the following points that will keep the bottles or cans safe in the checked baggage:
- Keep the cans or bottles in a plastic bag.
- Wrap a soft cloth around the bag for extra cushioning.
- Always place the bottles/cans in the center of the bag.
The bottles of this product can be made of glass. When you bring glass on a plane, there can be additional guidelines to know relating to quantity and storage.
Can You Bring Beer Cans on a Plane If You are Under 21 Years of Age?
In many countries, the minimum age for alcohol consumption is 21 years. The same goes when you are flying. It means you cannot bring or drink beer on a plane if you are under 21 years of age. However, you are advised to check with your respective country for the rules.
You will also not be permitted to drink beer when you are on a plane. Lastly, you should read and understand the rules of your travel destination as well as the airline you have chosen.
Related : Can You Bring Aerosol on a Plane
Closing Remarks
As you can see, bringing beer can invite tons of guidelines and restrictions. Knowing all of these will help you plan your trip well and keep unnecessary obstacles at bay. Even when you head back to your plane, make sure to follow them for a problem-free journey.
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ’s
You can bring beer on the plane but you have to read, understand, and follow the TSA rules applied to alcoholic beverages.
Passengers who are below 21 years of age are not permitted to bring or consume beer while flying on a flight.
In relation to the TSA rules, you can only bring 3.4 ounces or 100 ml in your carry-on bag. It is because beer is counted as a liquid item. Hence, the 3-1-1 liquid rule applies to this as well.
To bring beer on the plane in your checked luggage, you will need to keep it in separate baggage or in the bag with extra cushioning. It should be checked at the security point too.
No, you will not be permitted to drink beer on a plane. But yes, you can bring beer bottles or cans as per the TSA rules.
For carry-on bags, the prescribed limit is only 100 ml, while for checked luggage there is no specific limit for international destinations. But you are advised to check the rules for domestic routes.
Passengers are allowed to bring beer on a plane while traveling within Canada. According to the TSA rules, the limit should be followed as per ABV percentage.
Passengers can bring bottled or canned beer on the plane but rules of the TSA, country, and airline-specific rules as well should be followed.
