Can I bring my own bottle of booze to South Africa

[crackerman]

For lack of a better place to post this question,

My upcoming first safari is the culmination of a long time of dreams and hard work. There is a sentimental aspect and I would love to take a bottle of Bourbon with me that has its own special meaning. Its not make or break for the trip but can I import a single bottle of Bourbon when I go South Africa?

Its under the proof that IATA and United says it needs to be.

 

[deewayne2003]

As long as it's a 1 liter or less bottle.....

Arrival in SA | South African Revenue Service

The online declaration form needs to be completed by travellers arriving in South Africa who have goods in their possession to declare.

www.sars.gov.za

 

[Sika98k]

If you buy it in a duty free shop it will be put into a sealed bag. If however you are purchasing it prior to checkin at your point of departure you’d better put it in the checked baggage. Otherwise you will be A, forced to dispose of it or B, have to drink it there and then. Which actually is a good way of disposing of it.

 

[Andrew62]

I believe you can take your favorite alcohol with you so long as it is in your checked baggage.

 

[Russ16]

If you buy it in a duty free shop it will be put into a sealed bag. If however you are purchasing it prior to checkin at your point of departure you’d better put it in the checked baggage. Otherwise you will be A, forced to dispose of it or B, have to drink it there and then. Which actually is a good way of disposing of it.

Technically it is illegal to put spirits in your checked bag. They are considered a flammable. People do it all the time but unless you are buying at duty free there is no strictly compliant way to fly with spirits.

TSA restriction is 70% which is 35 proof. Very few whiskies are less than 40 proof.

 

[crackerman]

Technically it is illegal to put spirits in your checked bag. They are considered a flammable. People do it all the time but unless you are buying at duty free there is no strictly compliant way to fly with spirits.

TSA restriction is 70% which is 35 proof. Very few whiskies are less than 40 proof.

I do know that your percentage is off.

From the TSA website:
Alcoholic beverages with more than 24% but not more than 70% alcohol are limited in checked bags to 5 liters (1.3 gallons) per passenger and must be in unopened retail packaging. Alcoholic beverages with 24% alcohol or less are not subject to limitations in checked bags.

70% alcohol is actually 140 proof.

 

[CBH Australia]

I took a bottle of Bundy from Australia. I only had carry on. No problems

 

[Russ16]

My bad my brain was working in reverse.

 

[Mekaniks]

I took a bottle of Apple Pie Moonshine with me, no problem...... except the head aches the next morning.....

 

[mdwest]

For lack of a better place to post this question,

My upcoming first safari is the culmination of a long time of dreams and hard work. There is a sentimental aspect and I would love to take a bottle of Bourbon with me that has its own special meaning. Its not make or break for the trip but can I import a single bottle of Bourbon when I go South Africa?

Its under the proof that IATA and United says it needs to be.

If its a boutique bourbon or something thats super hard to get your hands on, you'll likely need to bring a bottle from the US...

if its a fairly common, mass produced brand... you can probably find a bottle at a liquor store in South Africa..

none of my PH friends are much for bourbon... most tend to gravitate toward brandy or beer... but whiskey (and specifically bourbon) are available in South Africa for those that like to partake..

 

[Sika98k]

I took a bottle of Bundy from Australia. I only had carry on. No problems

Who were you intent on poisoning ?

 

[mdwest]

Who were you intent on poisoning ?

I think he was just ensuring that no one else would touch his liquor... he could have the stash all to himself!

 

[wesheltonj]

That's a long way for a bottle of booze to be in checked baggage. (1) you run the risk of breakage and (2) if not broken, the luggage thieves at JNB will be enjoying your booze.

You would be better buying a bottle at the duty free when you leave, so it rides up front with you.

 

[Rare Breed]

If you buy it in a duty free shop it will be put into a sealed bag. If however you are purchasing it prior to checkin at your point of departure you’d better put it in the checked baggage. Otherwise you will be A, forced to dispose of it or B, have to drink it there and then. Which actually is a good way of disposing of it.

I would take it in my checked baggage

 

[trperk1]

I've never done this going into to S. Africa but love to bring wine back from there and other countries. I just package it carefully and check my bag. Never a problem. Pack your special bottle in your checked bag and don't worry about it.

 

[schmijar]

They make those special bubble wrap packages for wine and liquor bottles. They have a super seal on them, so theoretically even if they break, they won't leak in your checked luggage. I brought some with me to South Africa for the purpose of coming home with some wine, and they worked great.
I realize your question is about legality, for that, I am no use!

 

[Sabre]

If it is a common label, I would ask the outfitter if it can be gotten locally on the drive to camp, or they might be able to pick it up in advance. That would make life easier if it is an option.

 

[MntMan82]

I took a couple bottles of obscure hard to find bourbons with me as gifts for my PH and my taxidermist this last go around. Put them in bubble wrap and put them in my check bag. No issues.

 

[kevin masters]

Absolutely, I took three fifths on my last safari! The outfitters love guys willing to share bourbon!
I'm from Ky and we don't travel without Bourbon, Lmao!

 

[Ridge Runner]

My last trip to Africa in 2021, I took 2 quarts of Tennessee moonshine (the real stuff) and a 1/5 bottle of Tennessee bourbon for sharing a little recreational drinking. One quart of moonshine was designated to one particular PH as a gift.

I packed the liquor in my check bag, wrapped in bubble wrap, then vacuum sealed freezer bags, then placed 1 quart of moonshine inside each hunting boot and the 1/5 of bourbon wrapped in my heavy coat for added protection.

No problems on entry.