How to Pack Glass Bottles in Luggage

It's likely that you will want to take home with you a glass bottle or two of wine, beer, vodka or other spirits like maraschino liqueur upon your return home from Eastern Europe. But how do you get your glass-bottled beverage home? You can't carry it on the plane according to current airline regulations. But if the bottle breaks in your checked luggage, you'll have a sticky mess waiting for you when you open up your bag.

Travelers returning from Eastern Europe have successfully brought home alcoholic beverages in glass bottles. To mimic their success, it is important to follow certain tips:

1. Only pack glass bottles that have never been opened.
2. Wrap your bottle in a self-sealing bag, pressing out all of the air and making sure that the bag is completely closed. If you don't have a self-sealing bag, place it first in one plastic bag. Wrap tightly. Then place it in another plastic bag, covering the opening of the first plastic bag with the second. Wrap tightly.
3. Roll the bottle in a large, soft garment or cloth – a towel, sweater, or pair of pajama pants will do nicely.
4. When you pack, place the glass bottle in the center of your suitcase, so that the bottle is cushioned by clothing on all sides. Any hard objects should be packed away from the bottle or padded with clothing so that the bottle will not be cracked by your bag's shifting contents.

You may have to declare your alcoholic beverage if you pass through U.S. Customs. If you are ever asked to unpack your glass bottle to show airport security the contents, take time to wrap the bottle back up before placing it back in your suitcase if you still have to catch another flight. You wouldn't want to get it all the way across the ocean just to have the glass bottle break during your final connection.