Bringing stuff back from the islands?

[psimon]

What are the rules regarding bring back food from the islands? By food I am thinking of coffee from Jamaica, Rum cakes from Jamaica or Grand Cayman, or liquor from any of the islands?

Not looking to bring back raw fruit, just products that have been "cooked" (i.e. cakes, coffee beans, etc) or "processed" (i.e. such as liquor, etc).

Thanks...

--Paul in Southern NJ

 

[DahliaRW]

I think no meat or produce is the main thing. Possibly tea. Not sure on coffee, but I don't remember it being an issue. We brought back alcohol and rum cakes with absolutely no issues. The cakes were sealed, our bottle of rum was not, but they did not ask about it at all.

 

[MouseMomx2]

Any unopened packaged food may be brought back into the USA so you will be fine with coffee, liquor and rum cakes. Those industries would take a serious hit if tourists couldn't bring them home.

 

[kiford]

I've brought back wine, rum, liquor, and/or liquers from St. Martin, St. Thomas, Mexico, Bahamas, Jamaica, Antigua, Barbados (not always from a cruise). I've brought back coffee from Jamaica and St. Martin and vanilla from St. Martin. Be warned that you cannot bring back alcohol from Grand Cayman. For some reason, liquor stores will only deliver to cruise ships, they don't let you take it away from the store, and DCL will not take deliveries in foreign ports. They do tell you that in the Navigator. Always best to check the Navigator the night before about any restrictions on amounts or items that you can bring back.

 

[DahliaRW]

I've brought back wine, rum, liquor, and/or liquers from St. Martin, St. Thomas, Mexico, Bahamas, Jamaica, Antigua, Barbados (not always from a cruise). I've brought back coffee from Jamaica and St. Martin and vanilla from St. Martin. Be warned that you cannot bring back alcohol from Grand Cayman. For some reason, liquor stores will only deliver to cruise ships, they don't let you take it away from the store, and DCL will not take deliveries in foreign ports. They do tell you that in the Navigator. Always best to check the Navigator the night before about any restrictions on amounts or items that you can bring back.

You CAN buy liquor in Grand Cayman. You just have to buy it last thing or return to the ship right after buying it. There is a duty free store in a building that looks like a church at the end of the pier. You can purchase it there on the way back to the ship (you have to go back to the ship, it's how they keep locals from buying duty free, etc). They will escort you back to the tender line. This is where dh bought the rum.