One of the best things about traveling is sampling the food and drinks unique to that region straight from the source. After all, there’s nothing like pairing freshly made, traditional Mexican food with a shot of mezcal or washing down your mofongo with rum in Puerto Rico. For many, the experience is so great that they’re tempted to bring some locally produced spirits home to enjoy further. But if you’re boarding a flight back to the States, you may want to double-check the proof on your bottle of booze first.
According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), any bottled spirits over 140 proof (70 percent alcohol by volume) are banned on all domestic and international flights, as they are considered combustible liquids. The rule applies to all spirits regardless of category and regardless of where the bottle is stored, even if it’s in a checked bag. So, if you were planning on stashing some Bacardí 151 in your suitcase before leaving San Juan, you’re out of luck.
The good news: Not all booze is banned on planes. In checked bags, passengers can transport up to 5 liters (approximately six 750-milliliter bottles) of alcohol between 24 and 70 percent ABV. As for products bottled below 24 percent ABV, passengers are free to pack as much as they’d like in their checked baggage as they are subject to no restrictions.
Carry-on luggage is a different story. While travelers can bring booze on board, bottles must be less than or equal to 3.4
