customs ?

[tecdavidt]

Has any one out there declared items before you leave? We have some nice jewelry pieces and watches that we bought on previous cruises that we already paid duty on. Can any one explain the process at the port? Do we notify the person who checks us in that we would like to claim items before we leave on the cruise? Thanks Kathy

 

[mcnuss]

I am not 100% sure I understand your question.

Are you concerned that you will be charged duty on items that you bought on another trip, that a Customs officer might think you bought while cruising this time?

If that is your worry - don't. I have traveled extensively abroad and have taken along many things that were purchased on prior trips and never once have I been questioned.

They very rarely look in your bags BTW. You'd have to give them cause to suspect you, really.

If I've misunderstood, I apologize in advance, and would you please clarify?

 

[CarolAnnC]

I have heard of some people bringing along their receipts for expensive items such as camcorders, laptop computers, cameras and jewelry. That is acceptable as proof for returning to the U.S. I do not know about claiming such items prior to leaving the U.S. though.

 

[tstobb]

There was a thread on this here and Dave had a link to the form you can have to certify your items before you leave if you don't have your receipts anymore.

 

[tecdavidt]

Well, I have a lot of black opals that were bought on previous cruises and we now have expensive watches. I did have a cruise where we were stopped because of my necklace which was purchased on that cruise but we were not over the allowance. It was on this board where I read people sometimes declare items before they leave for proof that they owned the items before they leave the country. I have receipts but after a few years the receipts fade and are hard to read. I just don't want to be accused of trying to avoid paying duty when I already owned the item before the cruise. Kathy

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

Find the Customs folks at the Orlando airport (or your own airport if your airport is an international gateway) and declare them there.