Know state laws on importing alcohol

I read the “Funniest Thing” about the American lady in Mexico asking how much alcohol she could take into the US and then how much she could take into Texas (April ’16, pg. 48). She was actually asking two valid questions, since state laws can supersede US laws even for transiting passengers.

I had alcohol confiscated at the Houston, Texas, airport several years ago upon my return from Mexico because I was over the Texas limit, which was lower than the federal limit.* 

I had four liters, and Texas allows one gallon, so one of my liter bottles was confiscated. I wasn’t even allowed to pour out a couple of ounces to comply with the one-gallon limit. (Texas still uses ounces, even though federal laws use liters.) 

A number of other airline passengers were irate about having their alcohol confiscated.

GREG MANNION

Fountain Hills, AZ

* According to US Customs & Border Protection, there is no federal limit on the amount of alcohol you can import into the US for personal use. However, duty will be charged on any amount over one liter, regardless of the type of alcohol. (Visit https://help.cbp.gov, type “alcohol” into the search bar and click on “Requirements for importing alcohol for personal use.”) In contrast, with Texas, when importing alcohol internationally or across state lines, state law allows only one gallon of distilled spirits or 3 gallons of wine or two dozen 12-ounce containers of beer to be brought in.