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taking liquor to the USA

I'm going home for the holidays and am wondering how much liquor I can legally take back to the USA with me in my luggage?
Also is pretty much all food allowed to be taken in as long as it is processed and packaged and not open?
Thanks.

By adrienne79 on Dec 3, 2008, 13:17 in Friendly Talkzone.

Paisa/Calena/Luver says on Dec 3, 2008, 13:23:

2 Botlles without declaring, I dont know if that has changed, I wrap mine in BUBBLE WRAP, which I bring and my Jeans, Make sure the bottles are NOT touching anything that CLINKS..

"PAY ATTENTION! I wonder if that person knows that when we push the FUNNY button, its because we are reading something outrageous, trying to be cynical, derogatory, sarcastic and/or obnoxious!"

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adrienne79 says on Dec 3, 2008, 13:29:

Thx!

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Tinto (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Dec 3, 2008, 13:36:

I've taken a lot of different types of food products back to the US and as long as you're not carrying raw fruits, vegetables, plants, meat or dairy products, you'll be fine.

If US Customs/Agriculture asks, I always say the food products are processed, dried or salted and they've never asked to open my luggage.

I've pushed it a couple of times and purchased cheese in Colombia, put it in the freezer the night before, and then taken it to the US the next day. I'm not sure that was OK. I'm going to feel really dumb if I end up in the pokey for smuggling four pounds of cheese.

I wanted access to health care, housing and education, but, no, I get potholes, trash and silicone tits instead. -Desi.

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ColombianoGringo (Moderator) (Trustee board) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Dec 3, 2008, 14:14:

I've never had problems bringing back baked goods and packaged food including biscuits, bocadillos, arequipe, etc. Keep in mind that creams and pastes such as arequipe would typically be considered liquids by the airlines and will not be allowed in carry on luggage. They are particularly strict about that leaving Bogota. You can of course take things that you buy in duty free.

Yo me como los mocos debajo de la ruana pa que no me pidan.

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ColombianoGringo (Moderator) (Trustee board) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Dec 3, 2008, 14:14:

Tinto, What kind of cheese were you bringing back?

Yo me como los mocos debajo de la ruana pa que no me pidan.

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Robert Jorge says on Dec 3, 2008, 14:18:

I have brought upwards of a dozen bottles of booze back. I just declare them, and am prepared to pay whatever tax they have to charge. I have never had US Customs bat an eye at the liquor though, and I have never had to pay a tarrif.

Once, I had a TSA guy stop me after customs in Houston. He looked at my declaration sheet, and seemed worried about the amount of booze I had. But before I could even say that I would be willing to pay whatever tarrif, his supervisor came over and said: "Ah, he's connecting to Florida - Have a good day sir."

I wouldn't worry about bringing back liquor at all, in any amount. Just don't lie or try to sneak any in.

"You can not take the barrio out of the girl you really can't." Oneforamillion

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Pappassito (☼Travelguide writer) says on Dec 3, 2008, 14:21:

I can easily see that happening in Houston. People from ther states are allowed I think six bottles,but our lovely TABC only allows Texas residents 1. Therefore I tend to be very miserly with my own bottle of Ron Viejo de Caldas.

"A wise monkey never monkeys with another monkey's monkey."

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ColombianoGringo (Moderator) (Trustee board) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Dec 3, 2008, 14:22:

Ugh! They're doing you a favor by letting you only bring one bottle. That stuff is nasty.

Yo me como los mocos debajo de la ruana pa que no me pidan.

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Robert Jorge says on Dec 3, 2008, 14:26:

I love ron Caldas.

"You can not take the barrio out of the girl you really can't." Oneforamillion

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ColombianoGringo (Moderator) (Trustee board) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Dec 3, 2008, 14:34:

I'm Colombian and I won't drink that hooch. I prefer Aguardiente Azul. Of course, I'm not a big drinker.

Yo me como los mocos debajo de la ruana pa que no me pidan.

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Tinto (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Dec 3, 2008, 14:34:

CG,

Re cheese, nothing special, just the common ones:

- double cream
- campesino
- Holland style (the one heavily promoted at Christmas, enclosed in red plastic/red wax)
- costeño (occasionally, but then I learned it's super salty, best for cooking, and Elmo said it makes ya' constipated)
- and one I opened last night with a brand name of "Casero"

I wanted access to health care, housing and education, but, no, I get potholes, trash and silicone tits instead. -Desi.

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ColombianoGringo (Moderator) (Trustee board) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Dec 3, 2008, 14:37:

We like the quesillo that's popular in Tolima and Huila. After much searching, I found a company that will mail you various Colombian style cheeses via Fedex in cold packs. The stuff is made in Florida by a company called Mister Queso. I'll dig up the link if you're interested.

Yo me como los mocos debajo de la ruana pa que no me pidan.

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lpdiver says on Dec 3, 2008, 14:58:

Pappasito...You can get Ron Viejo de Caldas at Fiesta stores in Houston.

ts

Remember what the monkey says, "Fuck money it's free"

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Pappassito (☼Travelguide writer) says on Dec 3, 2008, 15:16:

No chit? I'm there,coozan!

"A wise monkey never monkeys with another monkey's monkey."

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lpdiver says on Dec 3, 2008, 15:18:

I live in Louisiana but have friends there. I know for sure they have Aguardiente Cristal and Antiqueno. I think the Ron Viejo came from there as well. If not let me know and I'll scout it out for you on my next sojourn to H town.

ts

Remember what the monkey says, "Fuck money it's free"

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ColombianoGringo (Moderator) (Trustee board) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Dec 3, 2008, 15:33:

I'll check for you. I need to head to Fiesta to stock up on arequipe, bocadillos, moras and flour for arepas. They actually carry a fair amount of Colombian stuff although they have been out of a lot of things since Ike passed through.

Yo me como los mocos debajo de la ruana pa que no me pidan.

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cazadorez says on Dec 3, 2008, 16:45:

they sell the liquor in plastic like cardboard box's (agua ardiente).......sounds funny but true, and alot safer then in glass!!!

Ay Hombre....no jodas!

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lpdiver says on Dec 3, 2008, 18:53:

You CAN get it in glass if you care to pay just a bit more.

ts

Remember what the monkey says, "Fuck money it's free"

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dwmte7 says on Dec 4, 2008, 17:22:

i brought back 12 caraffes once of guaro and ron medallo mixed and no body said squat and i didn't get charged anything.

patriarch

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El Piloto says on Dec 8, 2008, 09:27:

Just be careful that airline ramp employees or TSAholes don't steal the booze out of your checked luggage.

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