LHR duty free bottle on ATL connecting flight

i'll be flying LHR-ATL-MCO in a couple of weeks

normally i'll pick up a bottle of tawny port for nightcaps, but with the connecting flight i'm wondering if it'll get past the connection

this says it can be done in principle...

http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information ... quids-rule

does LHR duty free do the required security bagging?

has anyone any good/bad experience of how it works via ATL?

port is often in dark bottles, which may fall foul of the "transparent containers" requirement on the tsa site

worst case i'm down a bottle of port, but if it's hopeless from the start i won't even try!

Yes LHR do do the proper sealed bag with receipt inside it thing.

But even though it is in a dark bottle it is still transparent - i.e. you can see the level etc when you hold it up to the light. I think they are more concerned about ones covered in foil or a plastic coating.


Are you taking checked bags because the thing to do is to then put it in your case after you have cleared customs in ATL but before you hand your bags back in for your flight to MCO.

As tontybear says, LHR definitely have the secure-tamperproof bags. Just tell the duty free staff member [if they don't ask] that ATL is not your final destination and it will be bagged up securely for you.

Personally, I'd be wary about putting a bottle of port into checked luggage at ATL - simply because if the bottle does break thanks to baggage mis-handling, the contents of that suitcase will be trashed. Port will stain with ease.

I'd think I'd run the risk of ending up a bottle of Port down. Take a printout of the relevant TSA webpage with you that says it's OK - should help if you get a TSA member on a power-trip.

Personally, I'd be wary about putting a bottle of port into checked luggage at ATL - simply because if the bottle does break thanks to baggage mis-handling, the contents of that suitcase will be trashed. Port will stain with ease.

Except it will be in a nice sealed plastic bag.

Might need a strainer to remove the glass shards but it should still be drinkable !

Personally, I'd be wary about putting a bottle of port into checked luggage at ATL - simply because if the bottle does break thanks to baggage mis-handling, the contents of that suitcase will be trashed. Port will stain with ease.

Except it will be in a nice sealed plastic bag.

Might need a strainer to remove the glass shards but it should still be drinkable !

I like the idea... however I would not trust those secure-tamperproof bags to be at all watertight. They are just designed to show up any attempt to open the bag [in order to alter the contents of the bottle].

I used to use bags of a similar design when I worked in a bank [to put cheques into]. No way were they watertight, but if anyone had attempted to get into the bag it would be 100% obvious.

thanks all

i'm not keen on putting it in my checked baggage, over the years i've had things get cracked/broken that suggested amazing force was applied, i've also seen the effects of a port-based accident at home!

yo ho ho

Just adding my two cents to this....

I bought a bottle of whiskey in Duty Free at LHR with the intention of taking it through security at SFO for my transfer to the VX LAS flight. I asked for the tamper evident bag and was told that it was illegal for me to transit with liquids in this way. I would have to clear customs and then repack into my checked baggage. I was weary of this as I have done the 'illegal' act of transiting with a bottle or two properly tamper-bagged up in the past (granted it has been a while though, and we all know rules change..)

I double checked with the cashier, her manager and the VS staff in the CH.. yep its true!!

From the World Duty free site...

Can I buy duty and tax free goods if I am flying to the USA?

Yes. If you are on a direct flight to the USA, you can 'fly with everything you buy' after security. If you are transferring within the USA or Canada you will need to place your purchases over 100ml in your hold baggage, which all passengers have to pick up before transferring to their next flight. Please speak to a member of staff for more details.

I recognise the vast difference in information provided by varying sources, so asked the TSA guys at SFO.... The first guy was adamant that it was a 'no' and the rule had changed about a year ago... second person on overhearing what first guy had said jumped in to say that they have changed it back to allow temper evident bags through from 'recognised sources' and did I have a bottle for them to see in one of my bags

Ultimately as I did not have a bottle for them to play with, the question was left unanswered as it would have meant them having to call a supervisor from upstairs. They were busy enough, but I'll ask again and see how many answers I get when I take the long road back to the UK.

sounds like i'll be on a fact-finding trip then! will let you know how it goes with my bottle of kopke 10 year

i'll be taking a print-out of the tsa webpage, but if they are of the grumpy persuasion i will give in gracefully

this jogged a memory of a hotel bar in MIA, 2006/7-ish, with a few colleagues having a post-dinner nightcap, i saw there was a decent tawny so ordered a glass, the barman proceeded to pour it into a large red wine glass, filled almost to the brim, not only was it a bargain but i slept very well that night

this jogged a memory of a hotel bar in MIA, 2006/7-ish, with a few colleagues having a post-dinner nightcap, i saw there was a decent tawny so ordered a glass, the barman proceeded to pour it into a large red wine glass, filled almost to the brim, not only was it a bargain but i slept very well that night

Must have been ex VS crew because all the times I've had a small port it's been half the tumbler!