Global Trade Alert

Under a bill (HB2357) that the governor of Arizona signed into law on April 12, 2011, the state laws affecting imports of alcohol are liberalized with respect to the personal imports made by members of the armed forces. The relevant language of the law reads as follows:
"To the extent permitted by federal law, a member of the Arizona National Guard, the United States armed forces reserves or the armed forces of the United States may import more than one liter of spirituous liquor for personal use into this state if the importation coincides with that person's return from a tour of duty in a foreign country. A person who imports more spirituous liquor pursuant to this subsection than the amount permitted by federal law to be imported duty free shall be responsible for the payment of any federal taxes due on the quantity of spirituous liquor that exceeds the duty free amount. The department may issue letters of exemption to allow military personnel to import spirituous liquor pursuant to this subsection."