This will be my fourth trip to SXM. The last time was a couple years ago. Coming in on United Airlines from the states. While perusing their website for baggage rules, I noticed they state you can only bring back 5 liters of booze (in checked luggage) per passenger, and the bottles must be stored in a "styrofoam-like insert".

I've always brought back more than 5 liters of booze from SXM, and have always used clothing, towels and such to pad the bottles in my checked luggage. It's never been a problem.

Does anyone know how strictly United enforces their stated "booze rules" for checked luggage?

Thanks!

Two families just came back on American. No problem with them so it must be United/

Just returned 8/11 with 8 litres (over $200 worth)in a 52 can insulated soft sided wheeled colapsable cooler on US AIR through Charlotte (CLT) ---added insulation ---beach towel---tee's---shorts. Claimed them and paid $14 duty fee)---no problem!

Anonymous User Wrote:
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> Just returned 8/11 with 8 litres (over $200
> worth)in a 52 can insulated soft sided wheeled
> colapsable cooler on US AIR through Charlotte
> (CLT) ---added insulation ---beach
> towel---tee's---shorts. Claimed them and paid $14
> duty fee)---no problem!
I have been going to the island for 15 yrs. Brought 11 bottles last yr. I take bubble wrap and wrap the bottles and put it in my luggage, it goes under the plane, and no problem, as I haven't had any broken bottles yet.

OP asked about United Airlines policy in particular. Didn't ask about the others. Eac Airline has their own policy and how strictly its enforced is up to each employee doing the checking.

Actually Scuba it is not each airline's rules--it is a FAA rule. That being said you are really only allowed One liter of booze duty free from SXM tho I usually check a box of 6 liters and have never been stopped at customs (box in full view with my luggage)

As I said it's up to who is checking you. It could be an FFA rule but each airline has it posted differently on their sites. Some say its four per checked bag others give a total per passenger. You can bring home as many as you want, depending on the airline, just declare and pay the duty if asked. It doesn't amount to much considering the prices in SXM and what you are saving.