Rules for importing wine into the United States.
The United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) office controls importation of goods into the country, including wine. CBP sets specific regulations U.S. residents and non-residents must follow when entering the country with wine and other goods. While there are no limits on the amount of goods one can import, there is a limit on the amount of goods one can bring in without paying tax. The tax is mainly meant for retailers, who travel abroad and bring back goods to sell for profit, but applies to all travelers just the same.
Amount of Tax-Free Wine
CBP regulations permit a person to bring one liter of alcohol purchased abroad into the country tax-free. This amounts to just one bottle of wine.
Importation Tax
As of 2010, U.S. residents and nonresidents bringing more than one liter of wine into the country must pay 3 percent duty and Internal Revenue Service tax on those amounts. As of 2008, the IRS tax is 36 cents per liter. The same duty-free allowance also applies to alcohol purchased in duty-free shops located in airports and cruise terminals. Duty-free shops sell goods free of taxes for that country only. You still need to pay duty and Internal Revenue Service tax for wine purchased over the one liter duty-free exemption.
U.S. Customs Declaration
Each bottle of wine purchased abroad and its estimated value in U.S. dollars must be declared at U.S. Customs upon reentering the United States.
Federal and State Laws
Applicable federal and state alcohol-use laws apply to everyone who imports wine. The duty-free exemption for one liter of alcohol requires that the person possessing the wine be at least 21 years old, the wine is for personal use or a gift to someone else and possessing it doesn't violate the laws in the state where the person is living or visiting. For instance, if the state in which you arrive permits less liquor than you have legally brought into the United States, that state's laws apply to your importation of alcoholic beverages.
Shipping Wine
CBP regulations prohibit shipping wine for personal use into the country.
Tags: into country, United States, alcohol purchased, amount goods, bottle wine