Is it Legal to Import Absinthe?

This article will answer the age old question – is it legal to import absinthe in the USA?

The laws concerning absinthe in the United States of America are extremely convoluted and are, at times, difficult to fully understand. Many Internet consumers have noticed absinthe for sale online. There is question that everyone seems to want to know the answer to: Is it legal to import absinthe into the country? The answer to this question is not an easy yes or no.

Purchasing Absinthe – Against the Law?

If someone were to purchase absinthe that contained thujone and were to have it sent to the United Sates, which would be a perfectly legal thing for a person to do. The buyer can purchase as much absinthe (containing thujone) and this would never be an illegal act. The problem comes with customs. While it is legal for someone to purchase absinthe, it can be seized if it appears that it is intended for human consumption. So, if an absinthe provider were ton package the absinthe well, it probably would not be that hard to get through customs.

Absinthe Legality in USA

In the United States of America, it is illegal to sell absinthe that contains thujone. So, when thinking about absinthe legality, this has only a small effect. However, it is also illegal for someone to ship absinthe into the United States of America that is designed for human consumption. (Again, it is not illegal to purchase, only to sell).

Overall, when thinking about absinthe legality, the question of is it legal to import is a difficult one to answer. It is legal to own absinthe and to consume it in the United States. It is legal to purchase absinthe in the United States of America. However, customs may seize shipments that appear to be for human consumption. The only actual illegal portion is the selling of absinthe. Since it’s only illegal to sell it, drink to your hearts content.


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2 Responses to “Is it Legal to Import Absinthe?”

  1. ahahaha that straightens it out then! now how to MAKE it…

  2. If I wanted to ship absinthe as a gift from France to the United States…is it legal? And how would one go about doing that so that it would pass through customs?

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