TSA to Allow Duty-Free Beverages Through Checkpoints

Security checkpoint at American’s terminal at JFK

Passengers arriving in the United States on an international flight who have a connecting flight will be able to take their duty-free purchases of liquids with them in carry-on luggage.

The Transportation Safety Administration, which is responsible for managing airport security checkpoints in the United States, announced a change to its liquids policy effective Friday.  A passenger who has made a purchase of such items as perfume or wine or liquor at an airport’s duty-free store outside the U.S., even if the item has more than the 100 ml limit for liquids, can have the bag screened for his connecting flight, provided it has been placed in a secure, tamper-evident bag that remains sealed.

The TSA cited unspecified “technological advances” that allowed it to do so in its announcement.

Some items may not be permitted through the checkpoint, the TSA said.  This includes liquids in opaque, ceramic, or metallic bottles that the TSA finds it cannot scan at the checkpoint.  Passengers with such items will have the option of placing these in their checked baggage.

(Photo: Accura Media Group)