Overproof rum on planes

The Black Tot · Post by **The Black Tot** » Thu May 07, 2015 6:00 pm

Hey guys,

I was wondering what your experiences were, if any, of taking 151 overproof rums on planes. The official rule is anything over 75% alcohol (what an inconvenient limit! Agh!) gets confiscated by the TSA.

In practice, do they notice? Has anyone here got any success or horror stories of them either not caring about your overproofs, or them taking it all?

I've got a bunch of overproof bottles that need to make it to the UK from the US.

19Jamie76 · Post by **19Jamie76** » Thu May 07, 2015 10:57 pm

For what it is worth, it is actually 70% abv or 140 proof. While you may get away with it, just remember, bottles at or above this are considered hazardous materials and you would be in violation of the dangerous goods regulations.

The Black Tot · Post by **The Black Tot** » Thu May 07, 2015 11:13 pm

Thanks for the correction, Jamie.

Yes, I'm aware of the regulations and the concept.

Still, it's a bit like speeding, isn't it? Am I really convinced that 151 is critically dangerous but 139 is A-OK? It seems like an arbitrarily chosen number.

I know that the law is the law. What I'm asking is is this particular law actually enforced when rum lovers put overproofs in their checked baggage?

19Jamie76 · Post by **19Jamie76** » Thu May 07, 2015 11:53 pm

Possible scenarios:

1) Nothing happens
2) They find your bottles and have you dump them out in front of everyone
3) They fine you and make you dump them out in front of everyone

In my opinion, no, it is not like speeding. What makes me say this is that you have a "bunch" of bottles you plan to fly back. I'm uncertain why 70% is used as the cutoff, but those are the rules. They were put in place to insure the safety of the aircraft and passengers, not to give you a hard time.

The Black Tot · Post by **The Black Tot** » Fri May 08, 2015 12:28 am

Does anyone who has actually traveled with overproof rum have anything useful to add here?

Post by **Capn Jimbo** » Fri May 08, 2015 3:36 am

FWIW...

I think Tot is wondering if anyone has had direct experience with transporting OP spirits. Still I have to agree with Jamie that regardless, the law is indeed the law - they have to draw the line somewhere (one would assume it's drawn on the safe side). And these days what will all the other threats they must deal with, so the transport of what qualifies as prohibited might not be taken so lightly. Personally I think the limits are drawn conservatively with great care and with public safety in mind.

Better safe than sorry.

*******
Great link to specific airline policies:
http://www.alcademics.com/2012/03/packi ... tions.html

Here at the Project, we simply have to recommend abiding by all laws regarding the making, drinking or transport of alcoholic spirits. Please obey the laws. If any have indeed broken it, a public post at the Project might not be the best place to admit it. My position: if you haven't, don't. If you have, you might rethink your decision, and commit to not doing so again.

Thanks to all for their posts.

The Black Tot · Post by **The Black Tot** » Fri May 08, 2015 11:33 am

Points taken.

Anyone who has some experience they would like to share privately may PM me.

God bless our noble enforcement agencies and the sensible, god-fearing, and entirely politically unmotivated regulations that protect us from our dangerous, naughty, dirty, sinning selves.

Post by **Capn Jimbo** » Fri May 08, 2015 1:44 pm

Frankly I wish they'd spend more time enforcing the regulations concerning the labeling of flavorings and additives, lol...

Dai · Post by **Dai** » Fri May 08, 2015 2:33 pm

Can't you post it. 24 hour delivery might be cheaper than getting it confiscated.

The Black Tot · Post by **The Black Tot** » Fri May 08, 2015 3:03 pm

I don't think alcohol can be sent as a non-accompanying shipment. It's an excluded item.

So I'd not only have to pay the freight, I'd also have to pay full duty on the bottles, which, since they are calculated by the liter of pure alcohol, is also higher on high proof spirits.

It basically would turn a $30 bottle into a $100 bottle. You know...for safety.