A lot of people find it relaxing to drink a glass of wine, a cold beer, or a strong mixed drink on their direct flights from USA to India. Many airlines let you buy alcoholic drinks on some routes or in some seats, and sometimes they’ll even give them to you for free. If you’re not one of the lucky people who can get a free drink, though, you might be wondering if you can bring your own alcohol on an airplane. If you ask, “Can you bring alcohol on direct flights from USA to India?” the answer is yes, but it’s not that simple.
Here is a clear answer to the question of whether or not you can bring alcohol on an airplane, including all the rules and restrictions that apply to transporting alcohol from the United States to India.
Can you bring alcohol on direct flights from USA to India?
You can bring alcohol on direct flights from USA to India, but there are some important rules you should know about. The most important thing to remember is that you can’t drink that alcohol on the flight.
FAA rules make it clear that people can’t drink alcohol on an airplane if the airline isn’t providing it. This basically means you can bring alcohol on board, but you can’t drink it on the direct flights from USA to India. There are rules that say flight attendants can’t serve the alcohol you brought on board, even if you want to. In the past, this might have been okay, but now flight attendants won’t serve alcohol that passengers bring onto the direct flights from USA to India.
Is it okay to bring alcohol on direct flights from USA to India in your carry-on bag?
You can bring alcohol on direct flights from USA to India in your carry-on bags, but it has to be in a way that follows TSA rules for liquids. Under this rule, alcohol must be in containers that hold 3.4 ounces or less and be put in a clear plastic bag that is a quart in size. Each passenger can only bring one plastic bag. Alcohol with an ABV higher than 70%, or 140 proof, is not allowed on direct flights from USA to India, whether it’s in carry-on or checked luggage.
Note: People taking direct flights from USA to India, can bring up to 2 liters of alcoholic drinks, wines, or beer with them without having to pay any customs duties.
If you check your bags, can you bring alcohol on the direct flights from USA to India?
There are different rules about how to pack alcohol in your checked luggage compared to how to pack it in your carry-on. What kind of alcohol you can bring in your luggage depends on its ABV, which is the percentage of alcohol in the drink.
Most beers and wines, as well as other drinks with an ABV of less than 24% (under 48 proof), can be brought in any amount. But keep in mind that more alcohol could make your baggage fees go up, so think about this before you pack cases of wine into your bags.
For drinks with an ABV of 24% to 70% (48 to 140 proof), each passenger can only bring 5 liters (1.3 gallons) of them in checked baggage. These drinks must be in their original, unopened retail packaging.
Tip: You can read our guide to find out what you can and can’t put in your checked luggage.
Liquor Purchases Without Duty
You might have questions about buying alcohol duty-free, especially since they are bigger than 3.4 ounces and can be brought on board. There are some rules about buying alcohol at an airport duty-free shop:
- Each person can only drink up to 5 liters of alcohol, which is between 24% and 70% ABV (48 to 140 proof).
- The store has to put the bottles in a plastic bag that is clear, secure, and see-through.
- It is best to keep your receipt handy as proof that you bought alcohol duty-free within the last 48 hours.
Advice on How to Bring Alcohol in Your Checked Bags
- Choose a suitcase with hard sides to protect your liquor bottles from damage.
- You can protect your bottles by wrapping them in layers of clothing or buying cases made just for them, like bubble wrap bags made just for wine bottles.
- You can also wrap each bottle in your clothes. Wrap the bottles in sleeves or pant legs and put them between layers of clothes in your suitcase to keep them warmer.
- If you want to give small alcohol bottles extra protection, you could put them inside shoes. To add extra cushioning, slide beer bottles or other items of the same size into your socks.
- Don’t forget that the alcohol you put in your checked luggage must stay sealed and unopened.
FAQs
How much alcohol can you bring from direct flights from USA to India?
People traveling from the United States to India can bring up to 2 liters of alcoholic drinks, wines, or beer with them without having to pay any Customs duty.
Can people under 21 bring alcohol on direct flights from USA to India in their checked bags?
No, people younger than 21 are not allowed to bring alcohol in their checked luggage.
Can I bring small alcohol bottles on direct flights from USA to India?
Yes, you can bring small alcohol bottles on direct flights from USA to India as long as you follow the TSA’s rules for carrying liquids on direct flights from USA to India. These bottles must weigh less than 3.4 ounces and come in a clear plastic bag that is the size of a quart. Still, it’s important to know that you can’t drink the alcohol you brought with you on the direct flights from USA to India.
Is it okay to bring rubbing alcohol on direct flights from USA to India?
Yes, you can bring rubbing alcohol on an airplane. If you’re putting it in your carry-on, make sure it’s less than 3.4 ounces and in a clear quart-sized plastic bag. It should be packed in containers that hold 18 ounces or less, and the total weight of all of them should not be more than 70 ounces when they are checked.
