Duty free liquor?

[Dreamer04]

Hi all!
We''l be on the Eastern Magic in two weeks

I would like tio buy liquor as a gift for a friend back home. Is there a limit on what I can buy, amount and such?

I've never done this so I could use tips!

TIA!
Ursula

 

[Lloyd Dobler]

There are limits to how much alcohol you can bring back into the country without having to pay duty. The best source of information on this is at the US Customs website:

http://www.customs.ustreas.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/kbyg/dutyfree_exemption.xml

 

[snusnu]

Alcoholic Beverages: One liter (33.8 fl. oz.) of alcoholic beverages may be included in your exemption if:

You are 21 years old.
It is for your own use or as a gift.
It does not violate the laws of the state in which you arrive.

Federal regulations allow you to bring back more than one liter of alcoholic beverage for personal use, but, as with extra tobacco, you will have to pay duty and Internal Revenue Service tax.

While Federal regulations do not specify a limit on the amount of alcohol you may bring back for personal use, unusual quantities are liable to raise suspicions that you are importing the alcohol for other purposes, such as for resale.

In brief, for both alcohol and tobacco, the quantities discussed in this booklet as being eligible for duty-free treatment may be included in your $800 (or $600 or $1,600) exemption, just as any other purchase would be. But unlike other kinds of merchandise, amounts beyond those discussed here as being duty-free are taxed, even if you have not exceeded, or even met, your personal exemption. For example, if your exemption is $800 and you bring back three liters of wine and nothing else, two of those liters will be dutiable. Federal law prohibits shipping alcoholic beverages by mail within the United States.

 

[Joel110]

We were just on the Eastern in January. Since it stops at St. Thomas, you may bring back up to 5 liters per adult of legal drinking age. Since it is in the US Virgin Islands, the U.S. wants to promote commerce, so they are a lot more liberal on purchases from there. Here's how it works:

While on St. Thomas, you must purchase one liter of a local (USVI Produced) rum. The local rum that's most popular is called "Cruzan". It's really quite good, we bought the vanilla flavored Cruzan and made vanilla flavored rum and cokes. The Cruzan Rum was about $8/liter. After buying the 1 liter of Cruzan, you can purchase up to 4 liters of any other liquor you like. Many of the prices are very good. We bought 2 liters of Tanguary for $10.75/each, a liter of Bacardi Gold is $6.95, a couple liters of Absolute for $7/each.

When you get to St. Thomas, they'll probably tender you in. Right across the street from the tender drop-off, you'll see a store front that says "Rolex" at the top. If you go in that store, it's like a small mall inside and has liquor in the back. They really had a good selection. They do a real nice job of packaging your purchases in easy to carry boxes. Have fun.

 

[webray]

Even if you go over your limit..the extra tax is pennies on the dollar and still well worth it. Just remember..the overage needs to be paid in cash..so keep some extra around.