Liquids and LHR...

[Febs]

Hi guys,

Just a quick question (though I think I already know the answer) about travelling with liquids through LHR.

If you purchase a bottle of alcohol (past security) in an EU airport (eg: Czech Republic), then fly to LHR for a connecting flight to SYD, can you carry that bottle through to SYD with you, or will it be confiscated at security in LHR?

I know you can carry alcohol purchased from EU nations (past security) through another EU nation generally, but does that apply to London too? My gut feeling is no, but I thought I'd ask (I've already got a few bottles in my checked luggage, so I don't want my suitcase to be too heavy).

Cheers,
- Febs.

PS: Duty-Free grog in SIN -> Generally pretty cheap? As cheap as HKG?

 

[JohnK]

I know you can carry alcohol purchased from EU nations (past security) through another EU nation generally, but does that apply to London too? My gut feeling is no, but I thought I'd ask (I've already got a few bottles in my checked luggage, so I don't want my suitcase to be too heavy).

I have a weird feeling that there is still a ban on liquids through LHR.

I hope this is sorted soon. I am planning to travel through LHR in August which would mean, purchase duty free in SYD, check bag to SIN, re-pack bag with duty free inside and check bag again to ATH or SKG via LHR. Or just buy duty free in ATH or SKG. When returning just purchase alcohol retail in Greece as it is cheaper than purchasing duty free, go figure, and pack in checked bags.

 

[simongr]

I flew JFK-LHR-LCA and LCA-LHR-HKG-SYD last week and at JFK tried to buy a bottle of moet past security and was told it would be taken off me at LHR and that it was better to buy it at LHR. Remember that I think you cant buy duty free when travelling in the EU so it would be better to buy at LHR efore SYD or buy at SYD and get into the DF immigration lane.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

I have a weird feeling that there is still a ban on liquids through LHR.

I hope this is sorted soon. I am planning to travel through LHR in August which would mean, purchase duty free in SYD, check bag to SIN, re-pack bag with duty free inside and check bag again to ATH or SKG via LHR. Or just buy duty free in ATH or SKG. When returning just purchase alcohol retail in Greece as it is cheaper than purchasing duty free, go figure, and pack in checked bags.

The rules changed earlier this month.

Now you can take small liquids (<100ml) in clear zipped plastic bag no more than 1 litre. Ie same as US policy, but with metric measurements.

Additionally, you can take duty free purchased within EU on the same day (keep that receipt) in sealed bag through transit in EU as long as you remain airside. Once you go landside then it would need to be checked in. This is not counted in the only one piece of carry on allowed, but I think (not sure) limited to the one bag (so you can't buy a dozen champers for example).

All EU has adopted this policy now, so no more bringing duty free from Oz/NZ/SIN/BKK with you to europe unless you are using it at the first european city you reach.

 

[clifford]

Just a little thought.

No country (in Europe) checks what you are bringing IN.

 

[minore]

What happens if you are travelling to Manchester via LHR if you buy duty free in Sydney

 

[NM]

What happens if you are travelling to Manchester via LHR if you buy duty free in Sydney

Then you have about 20 hours to consume it .... depending on the transit time in SIN/BKK/HKG.

If you can't show a same day receipt, which officially must have been obtained in the EU, then it does not get through the Flight Connections security screening. And if purchased in SYD, then your receipt would not be same day anyway even if they bent the EU rule.

 

[JohnK]

All EU has adopted this policy now, so no more bringing duty free from Oz/NZ/SIN/BKK with you to europe unless you are using it at the first european city you reach.

But my suggestion would still be valid? As I would travel SYD-PER-SIN-LHR-SKG/ATH check bag(s) through to SIN leaving enough room for duty free liquor, and repack in SIN checking through to SKG/ATH.

My other suggestion when returning would be to be purchase liquor retail in Greece and pack in checked bag(s). Purchasing liquor retail in Greece is dirt cheap compared to purchasing duty free at airport or even compared to SIN, HKG airports.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

yes liquid in checked bags is fine (except the usual flammable restrictions)

 

[NM]

yes liquid in checked bags is fine (except the usual flammable restrictions)

And some of the Greek liquor I have seen should be classified as flammable :shock: .

 

[simongr]

Yeah - mind you at least you wouldnt have to drink the Zinvanier - it can be used as a muscle rub!

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

And some of the Greek liquor I have seen should be classified as flammable :shock: .

ditto for some of the greek liquor I have drunk

 

[JohnK]

And some of the Greek liquor I have seen should be classified as flammable :shock: .

Not home made Ouzo, Retsina or Tsipouro.

I was referring to Chivas Regal or Dimple.

 

[JohnK]

Yeah - mind you at least you wouldnt have to drink the Zinvanier - it can be used as a muscle rub!

With some of the Greek liquor I have experienced you would not even worry about having any muscles even after falling off balconies.

 

[Febs]

Thanks guys. I ended up putting 3 bottles in my suitcase (Absinthe, local Czech "Becherovka" and Jaegermeister - total cost under $40 ) and bought a bottle of JW Blue at Changi. Total luggage weight ended up being 37kg , but Czech Airlines (who had a 23kg limit) didn't care.

Cheers,
- Febs.

PS: Is it just me, or does looking respectable and arriving in SYD from a non-Asian country almost guarantee that you'll be sent right through the exit at Customs without even having your bag searched? Seems that way. I had "Food" ticked on my declaration, and the Customs official said "Just lollies and chocolate mate?" "Yep" "Ok mate, there's the exit."

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

PS: Is it just me, or does looking respectable and arriving in SYD from a non-Asian country almost guarantee that you'll be sent right through the exit at Customs without even having your bag searched? Seems that way. I had "Food" ticked on my declaration, and the Customs official said "Just lollies and chocolate mate?" "Yep" "Ok mate, there's the exit."

At busy times only. In the morning rush I make sure they see I am from NZ and no worries mate. In quieter times of day it is join the xray queue with everyone else.

 

[JohnK]

PS: Is it just me, or does looking respectable and arriving in SYD from a non-Asian country almost guarantee that you'll be sent right through the exit at Customs without even having your bag searched? Seems that way. I had "Food" ticked on my declaration, and the Customs official said "Just lollies and chocolate mate?" "Yep" "Ok mate, there's the exit."

I don't know but my last 14 overseas visits have been to SE Asia and more than half time I have been told to go straight to the exit after the questioning process.

Regardless of where a person has been or whether they have declared anything or not, I think everyone coming in to Australia should have their luggage screened.

 

[NM]

Not home made Ouzo, Retsina or Tsipouro.

I was referring to Chivas Regal or Dimple.

Twas home made Ouzo brought by a Greek friend to a BBQ. He insisted that I keep the left overs. Its sill sitting on the shelf. Perhaps I should add it to the lawn mower fuel or perhaps use it to help light the BBQ next time?

 

[JohnK]

Twas home made Ouzo brought by a Greek friend to a BBQ. He insisted that I keep the left overs. Its sill sitting on the shelf. Perhaps I should add it to the lawn mower fuel or perhaps use it to help light the BBQ next time?

LOL! Go on, drink it. A bit of fire in the belly never hurt anyone.

 

[NM]

LOL! Go on, drink it. A bit of fire in the belly never hurt anyone.

I did try some, as George would not let me just hold the glass and toss it on the grass while he was not looking. And of course he would not allow it to be mixed with softdrink. I was very glad to reach for another beer to extinguish the fire in my belly.