Comment transporter du vin (…et d'autres boissons alcoolisées ) en avion
Tout ce que vous devez savoir sur le transport légal d'alcool à l'international : quantités, coûts et réglementations – et comment transporter une caisse de vin entière sans casse !
Vous êtes tranquillement installé, en train de déguster un vin exceptionnel à Bordeaux, en Bourgogne, en Champagne, ou dans l'une des plus belles régions viticoles d'Europe, quand soudain vous vous demandez : « Comment pourrais-je en ramener chez moi ? » Votre tête se met à tourner, assailli de questions (ou peut-être est-ce dû à ces arômes enivrants)…
- Si je ne l'ai pas acheté en duty free, puis-je quand même emporter du vin ou des spiritueux dans l'avion ?
- Combien puis-je rapporter dans mon pays ?
- Dois-je payer des droits ou des taxes, et si oui, quel en est le montant ?
- Comment protéger mes bouteilles de la casse ?
- Dois-je les mettre dans mes bagages habituels ?
- L'expédition est-elle plus facile ?
Si vous avez entendu des histoires confuses concernant le transport international d'alcool, rassurez-vous, vous n'êtes pas seul ! Mais grâce à nos partenaires de la TSA et de la Commission européenne, nous avons compilé ce guide factuel et actualisé qui répond à toutes vos questions.
Et vous serez ravis d'apprendre que ce n'est pas difficile du tout !
Il existe trois types de réglementations que vous devez respecter :
- Règlement international sur la sécurité des transports
- Réglementation des compagnies aériennes
- Lois d'importation individuelles par pays, État et province
1. Règles relatives aux transports internationaux
Cela inclut les organismes de sécurité comme la Transportation Security Administration (TSA) aux États-Unis, la Commission européenne et d'autres gouvernements nationaux. Leurs réglementations encadrent le transport d'alcool en cabine et en soute.
Transporter du vin et de l'alcool en bagage cabine
- Les liquides de plus de 100 ml ne sont pas autorisés en bagage cabine.
- Exception à la règle (en date de janvier 2014) : Les vins ou spiritueux de plus de 100 ml achetés dans une boutique hors taxes et placés dans un sac sécurisé et inviolable (STEB) sont autorisés en bagage cabine pour les passagers voyageant vers les États-Unis, le Canada et l’Europe .
Transport de vin et d'alcool en bagage enregistré (en soute)
En règle générale, la quantité est illimitée, mais veuillez consulter la réglementation de chaque pays pour connaître la quantité que vous pouvez apporter dans votre pays de destination, ainsi que les frais à payer.
- Boissons alcoolisées titrant moins de 24 % d’alcool – aucune restriction de quantité
- Boissons alcoolisées dont la teneur en alcool est comprise entre 24 % et 70 % : 5 litres par personne à l’international et 10 litres au sein de l’UE
- Alcoholic beverages with more than 70% alcohol – prohibited
So, if you’re travelling home to the USA, Australia, or Europe with a selection of 12 or more wines from your favorite vineyards, your best option is hold luggage. In fact, it’s the only option.
2. Airline Regulations
Airlines adhere to the regulations outlined by the international security bodies. But each airline has its own rules about carrying alcohol too.
- Must be packed to avoid breakage and damage to others’ items
- Many airlines require you to use Styrofoam wine protectors
- Must adhere to checked baggage allowances, or
- Must adhere to fees for extra checked baggage (if applicable)
Most airlines include 23kg (50lbs) of checked baggage (32kg for Business Class). Simply pay for an extra bag and get your wine on the flight too! A typical bottle of wine weighs 1.4kg (3lbs), and a purpose-built wine suitcase like the Lazenne Wine Suitcase is only 4.8kg. So you can bring 12 bottles home in one purpose-built bag without it breaking the 23kg limit.
Remember to check your free baggage allowance and pay any extra baggage fees spelled out by your airline (typically $50 - $100 per extra bag).
[LEARN MORE ABOUT THE LAZENNE WINE SUITCASE]
Vérifiez les règles actuelles de votre compagnie aérienne
Les politiques des compagnies aériennes varient et peuvent changer. Confirmez directement auprès de votre transporteur les règles actuelles concernant les bagages enregistrés, l’emballage, le poids et l’alcool avant de voyager.
3. Allowed Limits by Country
When it comes to bringing alcohol into a country, many people confuse duty-free limits with overall limits. They are not the same thing. You have two alcohol allowances: duty-free (no fees) AND total limit (taxes and duties are paid on units above the duty free limit). Duty Free gives you 1-5L, while total limits are usually unlimited on wine, sparkling and beer. You must be of legal drinking age in the country you are bringing alcohol into.
Duties/Taxes by Country
\nImportant : le tableau ci-dessous est un guide général et non un avis juridique. Les franchises, taxes et politiques des compagnies changent ; vérifiez les règles actuelles auprès de l’autorité de destination indiquée dans les références avant de voyager.
| Country | Alcohol Type | Duty-Free Limit | Duty & Tax Above Duty-Free Limit | Total Limit |
| USA | Wine | 1 Liter (34 o.z) | $0.35-$2 / bottle | none as long as for personal use |
| Sparkling | 1 Liter (34 o.z) | $1-$3 / bottle | none as long as for personal use | |
| Beer | 1 Liter (34 o.z) | $0.35-$1 / bottle | none as long as for personal use | |
| Spirits | 1 Liter (34 o.z) | $2-$3 / bottle | 5 Liters | |
| Canada | ||||
| Alberta | Wine | 1.5 Litres | $2.50 / bottle | 45.45 Litres (60x750ml bottles) |
| Sparkling | 1.5 Litres | $3.75 / bottle | 45.45 Litres (60x750ml bottles) |
|
| Beer | 8.5 Litres | $0.34 / Litre | 45.45 Litres | |
| Spirits | 1.14 Litres | $5.00 / Litre | 5 Litres | |
| BC | Wine | 1.5 Litres | 85% min $1.83/bottle max $12.75/bottle | 45 Litres (60x750ml bottles) |
| Sparkling | 1.5 Litres | 85% min $1.83/bottle max $12.75/bottle | 45 Litre (60x750ml bottles) | |
| Beer | 8.5 Litres | 55% min $1.13 / Litre | 45 Litres (any type) | |
| Spirits | 1.14 Litres | 150% min $13.19/Litre max $40/Litre | 5 Litres | |
| Ontario | Wine | 1.5 Litres | 39.6% of pre-VAT value | 45 Litres (60x750ml bottles) |
| Sparkling | 1.5 Litres | 39.6% of pre-VAT value | 45 Litres (60x750ml bottles) | |
| Beer | 8.5 Litres | $0.676 / Litre | 45 Litres (any type) | |
| Spirits | 1.14 Litres | 59.9% of pre-VAT value | 5 Litres | |
| Quebec | Wine | 1.5 Litres | 66% of pre-VAT value | 10.5 Litres (12x750ml bottles) without going through SAQ |
| Sparkling | 1.5 Litres | 72% of pre-VAT value | 10.5 Litres (12x750ml bottles) without going through SAQ | |
| Beer | 8.5 Litres | $0.40 / Litre | 17.5 Litres without going through SAQ | |
| Spirits | 1.14 Litres | 124% of pre-VAT value | 5 Litres without going through SAQ | |
| Australia | Wine | 2.25 Litres | 49% of pre-VAT value | none as long as for personal use |
| Sparkling | 2.25 Litres | 49% of pre-VAT value | none as long as for personal use | |
| Beer | 2.25 Litres | 49% of pre-VAT value | none as long as for personal use | |
| Spirits | 2.25 Litres | 49% of pre-VAT value | 5 Litres | |
| Brazil | Wine | 12 Litres (16x750ml bottles), & up to $500USD pre-VAT value | 50% of excess value above $500USD | none as long as for personal use |
| Sparkling | 12 Litres (16x750ml bottles), & up to $500USD pre-VAT value | 50% of excess value above $500USD | none as long as for personal use | |
| Beer | 12 Litres (& up to $500USD pre-VAT value) | 50% of excess value above $500USD | none as long as for personal use | |
| Spirits | 5 Litres (& up to $500USD pre-VAT value) | 50% of excess value above $500USD | 5 Litres | |
| China | Wine | 1.5 Litres (2x750ml bottles), if above 12% alcohol | 50% of pre-VAT value after duty-free limit | none as long as for personal use |
| Sparkling | 1.5 Litres (2x750ml bottles), if above 12% alcohol | 50% of pre-VAT value | none as long as for personal use | |
| Beer | unlimited, if below 12% alcohol | none; part of your overall duty-free import limit | none as long as for personal use | |
| Spirits | 1.5 Litres (if above 12% alcohol) | 50% of pre-VAT value | 5 Litres | |
| Hong Kong | Wine | unlimited | unlimited | none as long as for personal use |
| Sparkling | unlimited | unlimited | none as long as for personal use | |
| Beer | unlimited | unlimited | none as long as for personal use | |
| Spirits | 1 Litre (if above 30% alcohol) | 23 HKD / litre | 5 Litres | |
| Japan | Wine | 2.25L (3x750ml bottles) | 150yen per bottle (750ml) | none as long as for personal use |
| Sparkling | 2.25L (3x750ml bottles) | 150yen per bottle (750ml) | none as long as for personal use | |
| Beer | 2.25L | 150yen per bottle (750ml) | none as long as for personal use | |
| Spirits | 2.25L | 225-450yen per bottle (750ml) | 5 Litres | |
| New Zealand | Wine | 4.5L | $2.13 NZD per bottle (750ml) | none as long as for personal use |
| Sparkling | 4.5L | $2.13 NZD per bottle (750ml) | none as long as for personal use | |
| Beer | 4.5L | $1.4 NZD per litre | none as long as for personal use | |
| Spirits | 3 bottles, each up to 1.125 Litres | $51.8 NZD per litre of % alcohol | 5 Litres | |
| Norway | Wine | up to 3 Litres (4x750ml bottles), if not combined with other excise goods | NOK 45 / bottle | 27 Litres (36x750ml bottles), for simplified customs declaration |
| Sparkling | up to 3 Litres (4x750ml bottles), if not combined with other excise goods | NOK 45 / bottle | 27 Litres (36x750ml bottles), for simplified customs declaration | |
| Beer | up to 5 Litres (if not combined with other excise goods) | NOK 20 / litre | 27 Litres (for simplified customs declaration) | |
| Spirits | 1 Litre | NOK 115-325 / litre | 4 Litres (for simplified customs declaration) | |
| Mexico | Wine | 6 Litres (8x750ml bottles) | 90% of pre-VAT value | none as long as for personal use |
| Sparkling | 6 Litres (8x750ml bottles) | 90% of pre-VAT value | none as long as for personal use | |
| Beer | 6 Litres | 90% of pre-VAT value | none as long as for personal use | |
| Spirits | 3 Litres | 90% of pre-VAT value | 5 Litres | |
| Singapore | Wine | 2 Litres (3x750ml bottles) | S$88 per litre of % alcohol | none as long as for personal use |
| Sparkling | 2 Litres (3x750ml bottles) | S$88 per litre of % alcohol | none as long as for personal use | |
| Beer | 2 Litres | S$76 per litre of % alcohol | none as long as for personal use | |
| Spirits | 1 Litre | S$88 per litre of % alcohol | 5 Litres | |
| South Africa | Wine | 2 Litres (3x750ml bottles) | 20% of pre-VAT value | 20000 ZAR (1800€) |
| Sparkling | 2 Litres (3x750ml bottles) | 20% of pre-VAT value | 20000 ZAR (1800€) | |
| Beer | 2 Litres | 20% of pre-VAT value | 20000 ZAR (1800€) | |
| Spirits | 1 Litre | 20% of pre-VAT value | 5 Litres / 20000 ZAR (1800€) | |
| Switzerland | Wine | 5 Litres (7x750ml bottles) | 2 CHF / bottle | none as long as for personal use |
| Sparkling | 5 Litres (7x750ml bottles) | 2 CHF / bottle | none as long as for personal use | |
| Beer | 5 Litres | 2 CHF / bottle | none as long as for personal use | |
| Spirits | 1 Litre | 15 CHF / Litre | 5 Litres | |
| Within EU | Wine | 90 Litres | tax varies by EU country | none as long as for personal use |
| Sparkling | 90 Litres | tax varies by EU country | none as long as for personal use | |
| Beer | 110 Litres | tax varies by EU country | none as long as for personal use | |
| Spirits | 10 Litres | tax varies by EU country | 10 Litres |
Flying with Wine Checklist
Using the information in this article, and table provided you have all the knowledge you need to bring wine back from your favorite region. Follow this checklist each time you travel.
1. Check Your Home Country Rules, and Airline Rules
- How many litres can you bring back to your country?
- What is your checked baggage limit?
- Do you need to purchase an extra 23kg?
- Does your wine luggage meet airline safety rules?
2. Calculate Your Costs
Carrying wine in your hold luggage is not only the easiest method to getting wine home, but also the cheapest. The only costs you need to cover are:
- Purpose-Built Wine Suitcase
- Extra baggage fees if going over your allowed limit
- Duties/taxes per bottle/litre ABOVE your country’s duty free limit
3. Bring It Home!
- Now you’re all organized - you can start selecting your wine!
- Pack it in your airport approved wine suitcase
- At the departure airport check in as normal, and pay any excess bag fees
- On arrival, declare your alcohol at customs and pay any duties asked for
- Get your friends together and treat them to an incredible drop!
FAQ
Why can’t I just ship a case of wine home instead of taking it with me?
Most countries won’t allow you ship alcohol unless you apply for extra permits related to tobacco and alcohol importation. The restrictions are much greater and can become a hassle. Shipping is also a costly method, and may not be easily available from wineries that are well off the beaten track.
Can I just buy a cheap second suitcase and pack wine with bubble wrap?
You must check with your airline first, as some have strict rules around how bottles must be packed for hold luggage. It’s heartbreaking to arrive at the airport only to be told the packing is not suitable. Not only that, bulky bubble wrap limits your space. Keep it hassle free, a purpose-built wine suitcase is already airline approved, and able to fit up to 12 bottles!
Is it actually legal to take 12, or even 24 bottles of wine back to my home country? What about 5 litres of Tequila from Mexico?
Yes! So long as you adhere to your destination country’s allowed quantity, pay your duties and baggage fees, and package your wine (or tequila) securely to meet airline regulations, you are within the law.
Références officielles actuelles
Les règles et franchises peuvent changer. Consultez ces sources officielles et confirmez la politique bagages actuelle de votre compagnie aérienne avant de voyager.
- Lazenne — baggage-fee guide
- United States TSA — alcoholic beverages in baggage
- United States CBP — importing alcohol for personal use
- Canada CATSA — liquids and alcohol in baggage
- Canada CBSA — alcohol and tobacco limits
- European Union — carrying alcohol, tobacco and cash
- Australia Border Force — duty-free allowances
- Brazil Receita Federal — exemptions and quantity limits
- China Customs — passenger allowances
- Hong Kong Customs — liquor
- Japan Customs — passenger clearance
- New Zealand Customs — duty-free shopping
- Norway Customs — alcohol and tobacco
- South African Revenue Service — traveller arrivals
- Singapore Customs — duty-free concessions and GST relief
Avertissement : Les informations fournies sont exactes au mieux de nos connaissances et sont régulièrement mises à jour. Les compagnies aériennes modifient fréquemment leurs conditions et nous déclinons toute responsabilité quant à l’exactitude de ces informations. Ce guide est fourni à titre indicatif uniquement. Veuillez vous renseigner auprès de votre compagnie aérienne et des services douaniers de votre pays pour connaître la réglementation en vigueur. N’hésitez pas à nous contacter par courriel si vous constatez des erreurs factuelles dans ce guide ou si vous souhaitez partager des conseils avec d’autres voyageurs.