Has anyone ever been stopped by customs?

[KaitlinsMom]

I am just curious - I was very shocked when we left the ship and literally just walked out - I am used to going to England and having to go through a big question session and passport check.
My husband and I just looked at each other and thought we should have bought more stuff!!!

Just curious what others experiences were..

 

[Michelle]

In 10 cruises on DCL I have never had more than a passing glance at my customs form.

It helps that I never have much to declare and never go over the duty-free limit.

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

One customs note that had me confused at first. On the form it asks if you've been on a farm or ranch or had contact with livestock. Since DD & I went horseback riding in Cozumel my first thought was that this should be marked yes. But since this was our first post 9-11/Homeland Security Cruise I went to "the talk". At this we were told to 1) mark that whole list of questions NO, and 2) don't take anything like that off the ship.

So now I was confused, how could I mark it no and not do it when we already had? I spoke with one of the CMs stationed outside the theater for answering questions and was told that what we'd done wasn't what customs was trying to detect. It was really aimed at folks who had WORKED on a farm/ranch and the contact they were interested in wasn't just riding/petting the horse but something more along the lines of mucking out stalls!

Therefore, save yourself the talk time and if you go riding just mark the form no!

Deb

 

[Favorite Auntie]

I have never been stopped, nor I have ever seen anyone else stopped. I don't think I have ever gone over my limits, but I have wondered 1)how if you got stopped they could tell liquor bought in St Marten VS. St Thomas, and 2)how they can tell what jewelery you have was purchased on your trip?

 

[Jeanny]

Originally posted by Favorite Auntie
I have never been stopped, nor I have ever seen anyone else stopped. I don't think I have ever gone over my limits, but I have wondered 1)how if you got stopped they could tell liquor bought in St Marten VS. St Thomas, and 2)how they can tell what jewelery you have was purchased on your trip?

hmm, that's a good question.... for jewelry, I only wear a watch and two rings (one ring is my daughter's birthstone, that I've been wearing for 25 years) how do they know what I already own and what's new??


Jeanny

 

[ZebraStripes]

Here's another customs questions I've wondered about....I think they say you can't take off food when you depart in PC. I can understand the fruits, etc. But what about things you brought on the ship in the beginning. We bring snack type stuff initially (crackers, poptarts, etc.). Some was opened, some was unopened during the trip. Can I bring it home with me? To read the rules, it seems like anything food can not leave the ship with you.

 

[inkkognito]

I'm pretty sure that the rule of thumb for package food is:
If it's opened, DON'T bring it.
If it was not opened, you should be okay.
We have received gift baskets with snack items, and we brought unopened items (like pretzels) home with us with no problem.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[Hopkins]

I'm a little worried because we are bringing little gifts from our hometowns for the 10/11/03 Magic cruise, so I purchased these Old Bay Seasoning packets since they are made in Baltimore and we are from Baltimore. If we check the luggage, the dogs are going to stop the bag, but then they are going to see that it's just Old Bay OR if we bring it on-board by carry-on the dog will go crazy as we enter the gangway. Now, that would be embarrasing. I'm probably going to check it.

They are 50 packets for the cruisers.

What do you think?
Tina

 

[Hopkins]

I should have decided on Baltimore pencils or something that might be less of a hassel.

Tina

 

[jilljill]

You can not take fruits, veggies and meats off the ship. YOu can take them on but not off. Crackers and other types of boxed/bagged snacks are not a problem - open or unopen.

 

[bahama97]

When we left the place where the bags were, a customs person stopped me. I don't know if I was random or looked suspicious LOL But she asked where I was born, and she said it in a "drill" sort of tone. When I said Michigan, she said "Where in Michigan?" Like I said, her tone was kind of nasty like she was drilling me. Thank goodness I answered quickly. I don't know what she would have done had it taken me a few seconds to answer. It was kind of scary to me, but then again, I hardly ever leave the country, so I'm not use to customs at all.

 

["Ginger"]

Your Old Bay is fine also pre-packaged foods. As jilljill has stated no fresh fruits, veggies or meats, these things can be brought into our country contenting disease carrying insects and other problems.

 

[Windermere]

For customs over the past 2 years we have purchased new laptops and digital camera. So there is no question with customs, we always bring receipts/packing slips for expensive items that we really did purchase in the US.

There may be questions with the jewelry since I rarely wear the good stuff (and it still looks new), but there's no receipt for that so they'll just have to take my word for it that it isn't brand new.

 

[ppiew]

We were stopped once in Miami. They opened luggage, went thru everything and questioned us. (must have looked guilty!) Anyway, I had packed separately, everything we bought and included the receipts. This made the inspection quite rapid, in fact the customs agent said he wished others were so thoroughl.

 

[scott62]

After we had collected our luggage and made contact with one of the porters who was there to escort us past "customs" and to our bus, I realized that I forgot to sign and date the custom form (I guess I should have paid more attention to Rick's debarkation telecast). The porter told us not to worry about it, took the form, and threw it into a box with a few hundred other forms. Then we were on our way to the bus. I was glad to get through without a hassle, but I guess I expected a little more scrutiny with today's heightened security!

Scott