Decode Japan

Free decision tool

Can I fly with this bottle?

Read the alcohol strength on the label, choose the matching band, then check the total volume. This answers the aviation dangerous-goods rule—not your destination country's customs allowance.

No account No answers collected Reviewed 2026-08-03
A bottle, passport and travel receipt arranged as a documentary still life

Step 1

Find アルコール分 or ABV on the bottle

Use the printed strength, not the product style or the word cask strength. Then open the band that contains that number.

Over 70% ABV

Do not take it onto an aircraft.

It is prohibited in both cabin and checked baggage under the dangerous-goods rule. Better packing does not change the answer.

Over 24%, up to 70% ABV

Up to five litres per person.

This is the band most whisky falls into. Cabin security liquid limits still apply, so bottles normally travel in checked baggage.

24% ABV or under

No volume cap under this rule.

Baggage weight, cabin liquid limits, airline conditions and your destination country's customs rules remain separate checks.

Step 2

For ordinary whisky, total the bottle volume

700 ml bottlesTotalFive-litre rule
64.2 LWithin
74.9 LWithin
85.6 LOver

Five litres is an aviation ceiling, not a duty-free allowance. Your arrival country can require a declaration or tax at a much lower amount.

Step 3

Make the two checks this tool cannot make

  1. Read your airline's own packaging and baggage conditions.
  2. Read the alcohol allowance published by your destination government.

For the Japanese tax-free change and the original aviation source, read the complete buying and flying guide.

The bottle itself

Know what the label establishes before you pack it

The thirteen-page reference decodes the mandatory block, the voluntary Japanese whisky standard and the words that have no defined threshold.

See the whisky-label reference

Sources

ANA — Items prohibited in baggage, international routes , and ANA — Items accepted with conditions, international routes . Airline presentation can change; both pages were last checked on 2026-08-03.