All alcoholic beverages included in your household goods shipment are subject to duty and tax. Moreover, with few exceptions, alcoholic beverages are not mailable and, therefore, will be seized when imported through the mail. You may, however, import wines and alcoholic beverages into the United States in your household goods shipment, pursuant to the laws of your state of residence.

Many states require a permit or receipt that must be presented to U.S. Customs officials upon importing alcoholic beverages. If this is the case, you will need to secure the permit prior to your departure so you can have it ready to present to U.S. Customs officials To expedite this process, you should write your state's alcohol control board for information on how to petition for a permit. This should be done about 60 days prior to your move since the actual petition should be made at least 30 days before the shipment's departure. It is important to find out your state's laws for importing alcohol before you move; there are some states that do not permit the importation of alcoholic beverages at all. For example, if a shipment has to clear customs in any port in Texas, alcohol will be confiscated and destroyed. If you are moving to one of these states and have included alcoholic beverages in your shipment, your household goods may be subject to the costly process of unloading the shipment until the alcoholic beverages are removed and destroyed.

For information on state laws regarding the importation of alcoholic beverages, write to the U.S. Customs Service, Department of the Treasury, Washington, D.C., 20229, U.S.A. and ask for Publication 523 - "Information for Travelers, State Laws on Importing Alcoholic Beverages".

Prior to departing for the States, compile and inventory on all alcoholic beverages you plan to import. This list should include the brand name, number of bottles, volume per bottle, alcoholic content and price for each item.

Keep in mind that extreme changes in temperature may affect the taste and appearance of some alcoholic beverages, especially wine. Therefore, if you are moving a very large or expensive wine collection, you may want to request air freight transportation through a local agent.