Duty Allowances Increased for DCL

[Michelle]

As of November 4 new Customs Duty Allowances went into effect on the Disney ships.

In a nutshell, the changes are:

For the Wonder there is a flat $800 allowance now, and there is not distinction as to where the merchandise has to be purchased. This covers all ship purchases and purchase in the Bahamas.

For the Eastern Caribbean Magic the total allowance is still $1,200 but now there is a flat $800 that can be combined from onboard the ship, St. Maarten, and Castaway Cay.

For the Western Caribbean Magic now there is simply a flat $800 allowance of total purchases from the ship, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, and Castaway Cay.

Just FYI!

 

[AnnMorin]

I know there were great deals on the eastern and we plan on picking up some scotch for FIL's xmas gift on the western has the liquor allowance changed? Thanks Ann

 

[Michelle]

Ah, thanks for letting me clarify that point, Ann.

The new allowances do NOT affect not current allowances for alcohol, cigarettes and cigars purchased during the cruise. The duty changes strictly refer to the total value of merchandise you purchase and can bring back to the U.S. without having to pay duty.

 

[Redhead01]

Is that per person or per cabin?

 

[Michelle]

Per person, and kids are included.

 

[TChrist05]

Michelle...does this amount just apply to merchandise purchased or do you include drinks....charges for Palo's and gratuities? I know it kind of sounds like a stupid question but want to do the right thing....Thanks...Tom

 

[Michelle]

Hi Tom! It's for merchandise only, things that you would actually take home with you, not for things you consume on the ship. You'll get a bunch of information from DCL about this at the end of your cruise as well.

 

[Señor Ferrari]

For more information about this, check out The US Customs traveler information page (Link). This is a change in policy of the Customs Service, as opposed to DCL. The amount of exemption is based on which countries you've visited, which is why it differs based on the different itineraries.

 

[tecdavidt]

A tip on how to go through customs when you have duty to pay. My husband collected the receipts and made a hand written list of what we bought and location then added all together. Then he added up our family allowance, subtracted that from the total amount of what we bought and came up with the number of what the duty was on. The Custom officer on the Magic told DH he did a great job of organizing the information. When we disembarked it was the exact same man from customs who was taking the customs slips and he just waved us through! The key, be organized with the information. Kathy

 

[Señor Ferrari]

Another tip: If you exceed your allowance but would have to pay less than $10, you don't have to pay anything. I once got in line at Off Beat at 6:30am all set to pay, just to find out this little tidbit.

Kathy's suggestion is a good one. I did the same thing and it took the Customs officer almost no time to tell us that we didn't owe anything and hadn't had to report to Customs. I believe that duty is 10%, so if you go over by less than $100, you're OK.