US Customs and shipboard jewelry purchases

[BlueRiband]

This thread is two years old!

 

I started this thread in 2013 but nobody was able to answer my original question. There was plenty of irrelevant information regarding ports I was not going to and pooling allowances with family members that I don't have. :(

 

The shipboard jewelry purchase was never made because I didn't want any bad surprises like 100% duty.

[NMLady]

Deleted

Edited September 8, 2015 by NMLady

[sail7seas]

This thread is two years old!

 

I started this thread in 2013 but nobody was able to answer my original question. There was plenty of irrelevant information regarding ports I was not going to and pooling allowances with family members that I don't have. :(

 

The shipboard jewelry purchase was never made because I didn't want any bad surprises like 100% duty.

 

I was aware from the 'get go' this is an old thread brought forward. I read the whole thing and IMO it is still entirely pertinent. Everything in it still applies, to the best of my knowledge.

 

Not all old threads are beyond their 'use by date'. :)

Edited September 8, 2015 by sail7seas

[SadieN]

Nvm

Edited September 8, 2015 by SadieN

[BlueRiband]

..Not all old threads are beyond their 'use by date'.

 

True, but it's nonetheless disappointing to see over 50 replies but not one could answer the original question. :(

[Hflors]

You must have run into an Adolph Schiklegrubber relative. Its perfectly legal to bring back into the US all sorts of cigarettes, they don't have to be made specifically for the US market to bring them back. In fact US made cigerettes that have "US made for export only" have the greatest restriction because you are NOT allowed to bring back more than the duty free allowance(anywhere from 1-5 cartons depending on where you have been), even if you offer to pay the duty on the excess. The ones made outside the US like made in the EU or in the Caribbean have no such restriction. You can bring back as much for your personal use-unless there is a copyright/trademark issue- as long as you pay the duty of $1.10 per pack.

 

I don't know. I bought a box for DD they were Marlboro (I had done the same thing on a number of Caribbean cruises and always listed them and no one said a word) this was coming back from Tahiti in San Diego. I really thought I was going to jail! The agent who took my form was questioning my like one of the police shows on TV. When I pulled out the box he ripped off the end and pulled out a smaller box and showed it to me. And sure enough it did say something like "not to be brought into the US" But it wasn't on the outside box. After the shop manager from the ship came back the customs agent did seem a bit nicer as he gave me my passports back and said I could leave. Anyway it taught me a lesson DD gets to buy her own Marlboros no matter how much they cost!

[sail7seas]

True, but it's nonetheless disappointing to see over 50 replies but not one could answer the original question. :(

 

I cannot think of a better reason for the thread to continue. :)

 

Have you learned the answer in this intervening time and can share it with us?

 

Edited September 8, 2015 by sail7seas

[BlueRiband]

I cannot think of a better reason for the thread to continue...Have you learned the answer in this intervening time and can share it with us?

 

Never did get an answer regarding shipboard jewelry purchases and would have posted it if I did. A pity - with over 4,300 views and a lapse of two years this topic is of some interest but nobody has the answer. The odds of that changing don't sound encouraging.

[sail7seas]

Never did get an answer regarding shipboard jewelry purchases and would have posted it if I did. A pity - with over 4,300 views and a lapse of two years this topic is of some interest but nobody has the answer. The odds of that changing don't sound encouraging.

 

Must be very hard to find the information...... only explanation I can think of. :)

 

[Keith1010]

Has anyone experience in dealing with US Customs regarding shipboard jewelry and/or art purchases? I've downloaded the "Know Before You Go" brochure but it's not clear if duty is charged according to where the item was made or according to the ship's registry. It can make a huge difference between a flat duty of 3% or if the item falls under "301 Authority" where the duty is 100%. In the later case it would and up costing more to buy an item abroad or on board than to buy it in the US.

 

Yes, I've experienced this.

 

And yes I know your thread is from 2013.

 

Normally I would not have even see this thread, if it did not appear here.

 

Let me begin by saying that in the end how this is dealt with will vary by the customs official. Some will actually not want to hassle with all of this and will just let you through particularly if you are arriving by cruise ship. Others will figure out the precise amount. In other places they will escort you to a special room and this will take a lot of time to figure out.

 

First off on your first $1,000.00 in purchases above the amount you are allowed to bring in they will charge a flat fee.

 

If you exceed this they have a book (and I am talking about an enormous book) that they can use to figure out what to share you.

 

It varies based on the item, and where it was purchased.

 

Whether or not it is cheaper to purchase the item at home depends how much cheaper it is to buy aboard and that is going to vary not only by item but where you purchase it.

 

Keith

[Hflors]

Yes, I've experienced this.

 

And yes I know your thread is from 2013.

 

Normally I would not have even see this thread, if it did not appear here.

 

Let me begin by saying that in the end how this is dealt with will vary by the customs official. Some will actually not want to hassle with all of this and will just let you through particularly if you are arriving by cruise ship. Others will figure out the precise amount. In other places they will escort you to a special room and this will take a lot of time to figure out.

 

First off on your first $1,000.00 in purchases above the amount you are allowed to bring in they will charge a flat fee.

 

If you exceed this they have a book (and I am talking about an enormous book) that they can use to figure out what to share you.

 

It varies based on the item, and where it was purchased.

 

Whether or not it is cheaper to purchase the item at home depends how much cheaper it is to buy aboard and that is going to vary not only by item but where you purchase it.

 

Keith

 

Keith (no offense intended to you) Your response is just so typical of our whole country. We have a law, but it doesn't apply to everyone, all the time, in every place! I love it!

[Jim_Iain]

On 5/27/2013 at 12:04 PM, sail7seas said:

 

 

This does not take into consideration the additional duty free allowance granted if purchases are made in USVI. If you shop in St. Croix, St. John or St. Thomas, you get double deduction and more liberal on liquor as well as other favorable terms. However, there are conditions attached such as what percentage of your total purchases must be made in USVI

 

Good point.   For Liquor and Cigarettes you get 5X the normal allowance - so 5 Liters of Booze and 5 Cartons of Cigarettes per passenger.

 

I recently declared 10 cartons for the two of us and the agent just said -  Thanks for reporting  that and sent us on our way.  

 

[sail7seas]

Per   adult passenger.  🙂

 

 

[sail7seas]

As far as I know, we no longer  must  fill out those    customs forms.

[sparks1093]

20 minutes ago, sail7seas said:

As far as I know, we no longer  must  fill out those    customs forms.

They are no longer required but if you have goods to declare you must still declare them.

[ldubs]

3 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

Good point.   For Liquor and Cigarettes you get 5X the normal allowance - so 5 Liters of Booze and 5 Cartons of Cigarettes per passenger.

 

I recently declared 10 cartons for the two of us and the agent just said -  Thanks for reporting  that and sent us on our way.  

 

 

I had no idea it is 5x the normal allowance in USVI.   I don't smoke but one of my BIL's does.  I usually will bring a carton for him because it is such a big savings over what he pays at home.  Maybe about half.  For those not knowing a carton is 10 packs of cig's.

[Capt_BJ]

resurrection from 2015 . . . . 

 

otoh friends of mine recently returned from a cruise and I picked them up at the port and Mrs was PISSED ... Mr was being very quiet . . .

 

Short version (still long!)

 

They'd spent a BUNCH both on the ship and off .... but they ARE experienced cruisers.  Since they were not handed the old 'declaration form' they decided this meant they no longer had to declare anything and with a misunderstanding of the exemption rules decided they were under and thought ... how would they know anyway?????

 

Exiting the ship they were directed to a special place (oh, we had a suite .... how nice)

 

Mrs was invited to go get bags while Mr Customs talked to Mr..... Anything to declare?  Why don't you fill out this form ... (the one we all know from old)

 

No ... I'm good? <some might see what's coming here .....>

 

Sir ... I'd REALLY like you to complete this form ..... so Mr does, like he always did b4 making sure he is under allowances . . .

 

Mr Customs reviews form and hands back ..... sir, would you like to add anything?

 

By now you know how this ended .... Mrs returned with the bags and they were subjected to a 'customs search' and got a bill for 'duty owed'. <she hadn't been there for the interaction with the Mr and Customs which added to a 'singled out' opinion>

 

Do ships provide a list of what was bought on board to Customs?   DUH . . . 

[sail7seas]

4 hours ago, Capt_BJ said:

resurrection from 2015 . . . . 

 

otoh friends of mine recently returned from a cruise and I picked them up at the port and Mrs was PISSED ... Mr was being very quiet . . .

 

Short version (still long!)

 

They'd spent a BUNCH both on the ship and off .... but they ARE experienced cruisers.  Since they were not handed the old 'declaration form' they decided this meant they no longer had to declare anything and with a misunderstanding of the exemption rules decided they were under and thought ... how would they know anyway?????

 

Exiting the ship they were directed to a special place (oh, we had a suite .... how nice)

 

Mrs was invited to go get bags while Mr Customs talked to Mr..... Anything to declare?  Why don't you fill out this form ... (the one we all know from old)

 

No ... I'm good? <some might see what's coming here .....>

 

Sir ... I'd REALLY like you to complete this form ..... so Mr does, like he always did b4 making sure he is under allowances . . .

 

Mr Customs reviews form and hands back ..... sir, would you like to add anything?

 

By now you know how this ended .... Mrs returned with the bags and they were subjected to a 'customs search' and got a bill for 'duty owed'. <she hadn't been there for the interaction with the Mr and Customs which added to a 'singled out' opinion>

 

Do ships providest of what was bought on board to Customs?   DUH . . . 

 

YES  !!  of  course.

 

Capt. BJ, great story , thanks   for  sharing it..  Good lesson in  it.

 

 

 

 

One would think they cooperate in all reasonable and lawful ways,  WHo  do we think clears  these ships in U.S. ports?  I certainly  DO NOT  know  but would guess it can take varying amounts of time for same ship in  same port  to be cleared.

 

 

While on  the subject, I wonder if jewelry stores   in USVI  report sales made to American  cruisers while the ship was in port?  Such info  entered into computers can easily be  compared  with declaration made upon re-entry   to U.S   can it not ?

 

 

 

Edited December 22, 2019 by sail7seas

[Capt_BJ]

USVI is a US territory

 

items purchased in USVI by US folks is an item purchased in the US, not outside the US .... or am I mistaken?

 

but this is why it is IMPORTANT to keep receipts readily accessible to prove purchases .. a cruise typically only does Customs once (it would clear immigration in USVI if visiting mid trip)

 

in my story above, they had visited Key West as one of several ports and spent a good bit there as well ... Mrs was convinced Customs was charging them for that stuff .... like I said, Mr was pretty quiet while she ranted!

[sail7seas]

I am no expert but I think purchases made  in Puerto Rico, (  U,S. territory) do not have to be declared but because US.VI are duty free  locations  purchase s made  there must  declared.

Again ( I could be wrong) but I have a nigggling idea U.S.got/wanted   the islands from Denmark because of their duty free status???   Items (with a few exceptions) must  be declared if you  bring them (import) into  U.S

 

 

 

 

 

sail.noordam@gmail.com

Edited December 23, 2019 by sail7seas

[njhorseman]

2 hours ago, Capt_BJ said:

USVI is a US territory

 

items purchased in USVI by US folks is an item purchased in the US, not outside the US .... or am I mistaken?

 

but this is why it is IMPORTANT to keep receipts readily accessible to prove purchases .. a cruise typically only does Customs once (it would clear immigration in USVI if visiting mid trip)

 

in my story above, they had visited Key West as one of several ports and spent a good bit there as well ... Mrs was convinced Customs was charging them for that stuff .... like I said, Mr was pretty quiet while she ranted!

Yes, you're mistaken. The US Virgin Islands is  what is called an insular possession , which means it is outside the customs territory of the US, which is what makes the USVI a "duty free" area.  You get a $1,600 personal exemption if you've purchased dutiable goods in the USVI, as opposed to an $800 exemption from elsewhere . https://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/kbyg/types-exemptions

 

Also you often no longer clear immigration in the USVI if it is your first US port call . For example we just were on a cruise that left from NY and visited Aruba, Bonaire, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and St. Thomas before returning to NY. We cleared immigration upon disembarkation in NY, not in St. Thomas. I believe what CBP is doing is to not bother with clearing in the USVI as long as the itinerary has been only to countries that participate in the WHTI . This procedure has been used for a few years now. I remember when we used to clear immigration in St. Thomas after this type of itinerary, but that is no longer the case.

[njhorseman]

1 hour ago, sail7seas said:

I am no expert but I think purchases made  in Puerto Rico, (  U,S. territory) do not have to be declared but because US.VI are duty free  locations  purchase s made  there must  declared.

Again ( I could be wrong) but I have a nigggling idea U.S.got/wanted   the islands from Denmark because of their duty free status???   Items (with a few exceptions) must  be declared if you  bring them (import) into  U.S

 

 

 

 

 

sail.noordam@gmail.com

 

Good grief no ! The US completed the purchase of the USVI from Denmark in 1917, but had been in negotiations on and off to purchase the territory for 50. years. The US wanted the USVI primarily for strategic military purposes, and that need became more urgent during WW I . Reportedly the US threatened to attack Denmark, which was a neutral country in WW I, if they didn't agree to sell the USVI, so the deal was finally consummated.

 

"Duty free status" isn't something that exists due to the declaration of some divine or supernatural force. The US chooses to make the USVI an insular possession, which means it is outside the US customs zone.  The USVI didn't  come with "duty free" status somehow attached to it.

Edited December 23, 2019 by njhorseman

[flyingron]

On 5/28/2013 at 3:37 AM, Hflors said:

 

 

So be very careful about buying cigarettes outside the US.

Sounds like he was more annoyed with the cruise line than you.

 

[Hlitner]

First, this whole issue of "Duty Free" is a joke.  The term "Duty Free" is 100% meaningless.  Saying something is Duty Free does not make it less expensive to the consumer.   I can go to a Duty Free shop on a Princess ship and it will cost me more for a bottle of good Cognac then the same product in Pennsylvania where we have more than 20% in taxes on hard booze!  Or I can buy a Movado watch at a "Duty Free" shop in the Caribbean and it will cost me more then the same watch purchased online from a reputable US jeweler.  

 

So forget "Duty Free" and look at prices.  While cruise ship shops might be Duty Free, their operators generate a hefty profit, must pay for all the staff, and also must pay their rent plus percentage to the cruise line.   And Duty Free shops in many parts of the world might sell you a legitimate product without a legit manufacturers warranty (sometimes referred to as Gray Market).   And by the way, if you are buying clothes you might consider that if you get it at home (or online) you can usually return it if you are unhappy, it does not fit, etc.  But buy an outfit on a ship and once you leave that ship you cannot return it!  Buy a nice watch on a ship and it breaks, good luck!  Buy a diamond ring and the stone falls out....good luck.

 

When we started cruising in the Caribbean around 1975 there were some excellent shopping bargains in the Caribbean (and elsewhere in the world).  Now, we seldom see any bargains.  DW has actually purchased some jewelry in the Caribbean (St Thomas and St Maarten) but she purchased one of a kind art pieces from tiny shops just like she would purchase at a decent art/craft fair in the USA.  No way would she waste her time looking at diamonds or other precious gems (which actually have very little Duty in the USA).  For valuable gems we would only purchase from reputable jewelers within our own country where we have some recourse if something goes wrong. 

 

Hank

[sail7seas]

6 hours ago, flyingron said:

Sounds like he was more annoyed with the cruise line than you.

 

I

17 minutes ago, Hlitner said:

First, this whole issue of "Duty Free" is a joke.  The term "Duty Free" is 100% meaningless.  Saying something is Duty Free does not make it less expensive to the consumer.   I can go to a Duty Free shop on a Princess ship and it will cost me more for a bottle of good Cognac then the same product in Pennsylvania where we have more than 20% in taxes on hard booze!  Or I can buy a Movado watch at a "Duty Free" shop in the Caribbean and it will cost me more then the same watch purchased online from a reputable US jeweler.  

 

So forget "Duty Free" and look at prices.  While cruise ship shops might be Duty Free, their operators generate a hefty profit, must pay for all the staff, and also must pay their rent plus percentage to the cruise line.   And Duty Free shops in many parts of the world might sell you a legitimate product without a legit manufacturers warranty (sometimes referred to as Gray Market).   And by the way, if you are buying clothes you might consider that if you get it at home (or online) you can usually return it if you are unhappy, it does not fit, etc.  But buy an outfit on a ship and once you leave that ship you cannot return it!  Buy a nice watch on a ship and it breaks, good luck!  Buy a diamond ring and the stone falls out....good luck.     Some have posted here through the  years that AmEx was helpful if they made a proper complaint

 

 

 

Hank

f that was directed at me?  I do not buy cigarettes.