How many bottles of wine can I bring in my luggage at airports?

“How many bottles of wine can I bring in my luggage at the airport, without checking baggage, in my carry-on”? Any wine lover has asked this question when planning a flight. Bringing wine on a plane is allowed. But the rules depend on the type of baggage, the departure airport, and customs regulations. There is no maximum number of bottles imposed by Italian airports or Enac. The actual limits are the weight allowed by the airline and, on flights from non-EU countries, customs allowances.

In checked baggage you can include all the bottles that fall within the weight allowed by your ticket. Alcoholic beverages are not prohibited, but you must comply with:

• the weight/piece allowance established by the airline (often 20 or 23 kg on scheduled flights)
• the maximum dimensions allowed
• adequate packaging to prevent breakage or leaks

In practice, the number of bottles depends on the total weight of the baggage and the ability to properly protect the contents.

In recent years several Italian airports have introduced new-generation security scanners (EDS-CB or CT 3D). Where this technology is fully operational, it is possible to carry in carry-on baggage:

• liquids, gels and aerosols in containers up to 2 liters each
• with no total quantity limits per passenger
• without having to remove them from baggage during security checks

This means that, in terminals equipped with these scanners, a 0.75 l bottle of wine can be brought into the cabin without the traditional 100 ml restrictions.

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Among the Italian airports where the new technology is active in some terminals are:

• Milan Linate
• Milan Malpensa
• Rome Fiumicino
• Bologna
• Turin Caselle

The situation may vary from terminal to terminal. It is therefore always necessary to check updated information on the official website of the departure airport. At airports that have not yet implemented or certified these scanners, the traditional rule remains in effect:

• containers of maximum 100 ml each;
• placed in a transparent resealable one-liter bag;
• mandatory separation from baggage at security check.

In these cases a bottle of wine cannot be carried in carry-on baggage.

If the trip takes place entirely in Italy or within the European Union, there are no quantitative customs limits for transporting wine intended for personal use. The principle of free movement of goods applies. Particularly large quantities may however be subject to verification, should doubts arise about the commercial destination of the product.

Those entering Italy from a non-EU country must comply with the customs allowances provided by European regulations. For still wine the indicative duty-free threshold is 4 liters. Specific quantities are also provided for other alcoholic beverages. Beyond these limits, bottles must be declared at customs and duties and excise taxes may be due.

There is therefore no fixed number of bottles valid for everyone. In checked baggage you can carry all the bottles that fall within the airline’s weight limit. In the cabin, at airports equipped with EDS-CB scanners, you can bring liquids in containers up to 2 liters without the obligation to separate them at the checkpoint. At other airports the 100 ml rule remains. When arriving from non-EU countries, customs allowances apply.