Texas alcohol tax question

There's someone on the social media site that shall not be mentioned who claims that customs now radios ahead to the TABC checkpoint to let them know you have alcohol so that you can't just walk past the table without paying the tax anymore. Seems like that would slow the customs line down considerably. Has anyone who's been through customs in Galveston recently heard of this?

Not posting this to start a debate about whether the tax, or avoiding it, is right or wrong, so please let's try and keep it from devolving into that. Thanks.

Went thought immigration less than 2 weeks ago in Galveston (Disney Wonder Panama Canal repositioning) and we did not go through customs, just immigration where they checked passports. Coming out from there was a woman asking if we had liquor or cigarettes. We said no (truth) and kept walking. Often people confuse immigration and customs. Think that's the problem here.

I really don't see why they'd bother. The customs officers work for the federal government, they don't have any reason to help a state tax agency. Unless there is some corruption going on and the TABC is offering agents a kick back somehow.

I can see on the return that they would know if you purchased something on the ship but have not heard this in reverse.

Keith

Went thought immigration less than 2 weeks ago in Galveston (Disney Wonder Panama Canal repositioning) and we did not go through customs, just immigration where they checked passports. Coming out from there was a woman asking if we had liquor or cigarettes. We said no (truth) and kept walking. Often people confuse immigration and customs. Think that's the problem here.

Actually, since 2003, US Customs and US Immigration merged to be the same organization -- in other words the Immigration Agent that checks your passport is also the same agent that checks your luggage and taxes you for the Federal Import taxes.

The woman you are referring to was likely a State Tax agent, not a federal agent.