Generally, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will not "take" your alcohol as long as you are at least 21 years old and declare it properly. In 2026, the federal "duty-free" allowance is typically one liter per person. If you bring more than that, you simply have to declare it and pay a relatively small "duty" and federal excise tax (usually just a few dollars per bottle). However, customs will confiscate your alcohol if you are under 21, even if it is a gift, or if the alcohol is prohibited (like certain absinthes or high-proof moonshine with no labels). There is a grounded reality check for 2026: if you are bringing back massive quantities—say, five cases of wine—an officer might suspect you intend to sell it commercially, which requires a specific license. A supportive peer tip: if you're traveling from the U.S. Virgin Islands, your duty-free limit jumps to five liters! Always be honest on your declaration form; the "hard-fail" isn't having too much booze, it's lying about it, which can lead to fines and the loss of your Global Entry status.