Can You Bring Alcohol Back to the Us if You Are Under 21

Chesser Cabou1957 · Saturday, December 18, 2021

2012-01-15,07:32 PM #1

Field Marshal

Bringing alcohol into the US.

I'm 20 years old and staying in the US for 5 months. Am I allowed to bring alcohol into the United states? I'm staying in New york.
2012-01-15,07:34 PM #2

Scarab Lord

Not sure, I would think not though since you are underage here in the U.S.
2012-01-15,07:35 PM #3

well of course you can drink alcohol if you're under 21 in the US
you just can't buy it
doubt they would let you carry the alcohol over the border though
2012-01-15,07:36 PM #4

Dreadlord

Originally Posted by Drekmen

well of course you can drink alcohol if you're under 21 in the US
you just can't buy it
doubt they would let you carry the alcohol over the border though

Please don't give the foreigner stupid ideas. Thanks -.-
2012-01-15,07:41 PM #5

Originally Posted by Armakus

Please don't give the foreigner stupid ideas. Thanks -.-

what kind of stupid ideas?
Also, I do not live in the US, but it is true that over here you are allowed to drink at any age, you just aren't allowed to buy it until 18. I'm guessing it's the same in the US.
2012-01-15,07:43 PM #6

War requires the sledge hammer, but will be decided by the scalpal

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2012-01-15,07:49 PM #7

The Patient

Originally Posted by Drekmen

Also, I do not live in the US, but it is true that over here you are allowed to drink at any age, you just aren't allowed to buy it until 18. I'm guessing it's the same in the US.

Nope, No way, man. Anyone under 21 can't even possess booze.
2012-01-15,07:51 PM #8

The Patient

Originally Posted by Drekmen

what kind of stupid ideas?
Also, I do not live in the US, but it is true that over here you are allowed to drink at any age, you just aren't allowed to buy it until 18. I'm guessing it's the same in the US.

Yeah, that is completely wrong. You cannot buy, nor drink, alcohol legally in the U.S.A. until 21.
2012-01-15,07:53 PM #9

so stupid that u cant drink alc til 21, ancient law is ancient
2012-01-15,07:56 PM #10

Originally Posted by Cheddabezze

Nope, No way, man. Anyone under 21 can't even possess booze.

Originally Posted by Priestion

Yeah, that is completely wrong. You cannot buy, nor drink, alcohol legally in the U.S.A. until 21.

Oh well, sucks to be you guys, then.
2012-01-15,07:58 PM #11

Field Marshal

You have to declare you have alcohol, and being under the legal drinking age in the US, I don't think they would let you keep it. If you DIDN'T declare it and they found it, I think you would be in trouble.
2012-01-15,07:59 PM #12

Mechagnome

Originally Posted by Taftvalue

so stupid that u cant drink alc til 21, ancient law is ancient

Unless there's another law I'm unaware of, I'm pretty sure the national drinking age was passed in 1984... Prior to then, each individual state was allowed to chose its own drinking age.
Not really 'ancient.'
2012-01-15,08:00 PM #13

The Insane

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/va...restricted.xml
Looks like no,

Edit, ok u can bring some but u need to call some place. I wouldn't even bring any though considering your under 21.
2012-01-15,08:00 PM #14

Scarab Lord

Originally Posted by Taftvalue

so stupid that u cant drink alc til 21, ancient law is ancient

20 some years is hardly "ancient".
2012-01-15,08:02 PM #15

Bloodsail Admiral

Originally Posted by Scottishpaladin

Chance it.

What terrible advice. Do you really think it's smart to suggest trying to smuggle in illegal materials (in this case, it would be illegal for the OP, who is 20, to bring alcohol across the border) in a country where patdowns, body scans, luggage scans, detainments for smaller matters, etc, are commonplace?
Do NOT try to bring alcohol in. It isn't worth it.

Originally Posted by Pitchkart

Unless there's another law I'm unaware of, I'm pretty sure the national drinking age was passed in 1984... Prior to then, each individual state was allowed to chose its own drinking age.
Not really 'ancient.'

Yes, states can choose their own legal drinking age, but what is brought into the country from outside is a matter of federal law, not state law.
2012-01-15,08:07 PM #16

Mechagnome

Originally Posted by Llunai

Yes, states can choose their own legal drinking age, but what is brought into the country from outside is a matter of federal law, not state law.

I think you missed my point.
I was simply saying the minimum drinking age law isn't 'ancient,' and was only passed within the last 20 years or so.

The minimum drinking age is, of course, Federal law, and I wasn't attempting to imply otherwise.
2012-01-15,08:08 PM #17

Bloodsail Admiral

Originally Posted by Pitchkart

I think you missed my point.

I was simply saying the minimum drinking age law isn't 'ancient,' and was only passed within the last 20 years or so.

The minimum drinking age is, of course, Federal law, and I wasn't attempting to imply otherwise.

I know what you were saying. I just wanted to highlight the section of the post that implied (to somebody skimming posts, rather than reading them in full) that in some states it may not be illegal, therefore if you're traveling to the right state you could probably get away with it.
2012-01-15,08:08 PM #18

Field Marshal

Not sure about your age requirement, and if you would be granted immunity if the drinking age is lower in your native country or not. Either way I was able to bring back 3 bottles of tequila from mexico in my checked in luggage. You will not be able to have any liquids on you or your carry on luggage though. Good luck
2012-01-15,08:09 PM #19

Bloodsail Admiral

Originally Posted by Kasmein

Not sure about your age requirement, and if you would be granted immunity if the drinking age is lower in your native country or not. Either way I was able to bring back 3 bottles of tequila from mexico in my checked in luggage. You will not be able to have any liquids on you or your carry on luggage though. Good luck

In the end, it comes down to one question -- is it worth the potential pain for such a small gain?
2012-01-15,08:11 PM #20

Blademaster

Originally Posted by Priestion

Yeah, that is completely wrong. You cannot buy, nor drink, alcohol legally in the U.S.A. until 21.

Wrong as well. It is illegal to purchase and have public possession of alcohol if you are under 21. However many states do still allow the private consumption of alcohol if under 21. 19 out of the 50 states have no ban on underage private alcohol consumption and 17 states have family member/location rules in place.