I would love to bring back some Tuscan wine from Italy when I journey there next spring. I know that US citizens can bring back at most a liter undeclared and then to declare the wine there is really no limit as long as it is for personal use. My quesion is has anyone shipped a case from Italy over to the US or even checked the wine on the plane? If so do you have to pay US state tax on the case of wine. I figure that at most I would bring back is a case of wine.

I've always had a second small wheeled suitcase that I loaded with bubble-wrapped bottles (usually 6-8), then packed 4-6 bottles in my main luggage as well. Checked both and never had a problem. I did this several times going back and forth. I always declared the bottles and was never given another look. The customs is so small they usually don't bother with it.