Bringing beer back from the US

[PEIBeerGuy]

So... I'm sizing up my suitcase(s), and wondering how I'm going to take back my max beer allotment as well as my belongings and any items I can snag from the conference. I don't know how well 12 bombers will travel in my suitcase along with duds, bubble wrap, and the like. So... I got to thinking...

What do folks find most successful?

Would mailing them or sending them by courier to myself be an option, or would I run the risk of customs taking them?

Should I just take a second bag, pay the $35 fee (is that each way or is that round trip? Anyone? Bueller?) and take a second bag just to split the booze up?

Cheers!

[jeffsmith]

Cost for extra baggage is each way.

[derek]

Should I just take a second bag, pay the $35 fee (is that each way or is that round trip? Anyone? Bueller?)

When I plan to bring extras home, I take a soft bag - it can be packed in my luggage for the outgoing trip.

[chalmers]

Don't send them, definitely more expensive than an extra bag. And they might get confiscated.
I have a nesting luggage set, so I go down with my middle bag packed, and nested inside the big one.
Or, take the largest carry-on you can down with you, in addition to your checked bag, and then check it on the way back (as it will be holding half of the beer, and we still can't bring more than 1L (in 100mL containers) of liquid in our carry-on). I've done this plenty, too.
Derek's idea is good too, if you don't have bags that fit my above scenarios.

[GAM]

We have a soft side bag and put it in the hard side bag on the way to and take it out on the way back.

I got a 24 home from Georgia last year. Its heavy!

Sandy

[PEIBeerGuy]

I bet! Did you get dinged big time for being overweight? Are the charges bad for that?

I may do the nesting thing. Unfortunately, the plastic backing inside both of my suitcases is cracked... may just cut a couple big pieces of cardboard to fit inside the liner and add some rigidity. I'm hoping I can just get away with 12 bombers / large cans. Don't want too many things to clink around!

[GAM]

No extra charge. We split it up evenly and we do travel light.

Sandy

[jason.loxton]

Remember that you need to check any liquids, so your beer is going to have to go under the plane. Definitely pack in a hard case. Use your clothes to wrap each bottle to protect things and save space. Even then you are risking breakage (I have had very well wrapped bottles go on me). Also: And this is likely to come up, but bombers do not count as single bottles of beer for the allowed allotment. In the event that someone decided to check, and you had your X number of bottles brought as bombers, you might get dinged. Honestly, as much as I always max out beers when driving back from the US, I would be strongly tempted to just grab some hard liquor at duty free. You can bring it on the plane (so long as you do not have a connecting flight: make sure to buy duty free before boarding the last plane), and the savings can be substantial. Buy yourself a nice scotch or a nice gin. Much less effort. That's my advice.

[jason.loxton]

You can bring 16 bombers [CORRECTION: 13 BOMBERS], it looks like (8.5 litres): http://www.dutyfreecanada.com/customs-allowances/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Cans are far less likely to get smashed.

Weight shouldn't be a big deal. A bomber weighs about a kilo, full, I believe.

[Bryan]

I've heard that cans have a tougher time handling the low pressures experienced in flight. Anyone have any experience with this? I've traveled with bottles several times with no issues.

[berley]

I've heard that cans have a tougher time handling the low pressures experienced in flight. Anyone have any experience with this? I've traveled with bottles several times with no issues.

Not sure of the actual risks (if any) involved, but I've personally taken back a few cans all the way from Maui with no troubles.

[LeafMan66_67]

Haven't had issues with cans in the past.

[dexter]

I've had a few can bow up between ottawa and halifax I the past . But only in the dead of winter. From abroad I usually just get duty free scotch or whiskey

[Woody]

I think Jason gave you some really good advice. Your allowance is 24 x 355 ml or equal as he mentioned 8.5 l. If you don't want to buy hard liquor and really want to bring the brew wrap it up in clothes. Most American carriers charge 25 bucks for the first bag and 35 for the next. Max 50 lbs each. If you ship it you are going to pay an arm and a leg and customs asks about shipping any items that are not with you that are used towards you personal exemption.

[PEIBeerGuy]

Trying to sort out my packing now. My new suitcase is just under 12 lbs, and I figured out that 12 bombers would be about 38 or something like that... which leaves room for nothing within the 50 lb limit! Geez... I may be paying the extra $35 to take back the second bag, in addition to the $50 round-trip fee for my first one. If I go over 50 lb, it's a $100 charge! What a friggin' restrictive cash grab. I may be just drinking what I can while I'm down there and bringing a few things back.