A Word to the Wise

[masscruiser2010]

We are just back from a cruise on Azamara, and on the sheet providing departure info, they put out a reminder that they now notify U.S. Customs of any purchases in the ship's shops of more than $800.

 

Based on a recent experience, we believe Celebrity also does this -- even though a shipboard employee denied it. So if you buy any jewelry in the shops on board the ships sailing out of Miami or Port Everglades, you want to be sure to declare it on a U.S. Customs form.

[hancock]

Many of the jewelry shops in the islands report this as well. Customs has a list.

[FunCruiser56]

We are just back from a cruise on Azamara, and on the sheet providing departure info, they put out a reminder that they now notify U.S. Customs of any purchases in the ship's shops of more than $800.

 

Based on a recent experience, we believe Celebrity also does this -- even though a shipboard employee denied it. So if you buy any jewelry in the shops on board the ships sailing out of Miami or Port Everglades, you want to be sure to declare it on a U.S. Customs form.

Celebrity does do this, just be honest about what your purchases are and pay the tax and you won't be visiting the naughty room manned by customs.

 

 

Sent from my SM-T900 using Tapatalk

[jkgourmet]

BUT - how did you enjoy Azmara?

[NLH Arizona]

Glad to hear this, it keeps folks honest.

[Cruise Junky]

I thought this had been standard practice for years.

[Orator]

I thought this had been standard practice for years.

It has been.

[Georgia_Peaches]

We are just back from a cruise on Azamara, and on the sheet providing departure info, they put out a reminder that they now notify U.S. Customs of any purchases in the ship's shops of more than $800.

 

Based on a recent experience, we believe Celebrity also does this -- even though a shipboard employee denied it. So if you buy any jewelry in the shops on board the ships sailing out of Miami or Port Everglades, you want to be sure to declare it on a U.S. Customs form.

Back in November we disembarked from Norwegian in Port Canaveral and were told that we no longer had to fill out a customs form. When we went through the line we weren't even asked if we had anything to declare. Very strange. But a few years ago I witnessed a woman disembark from Reflection who had purchased a ring on the ship that was a couple thousand bucks. She didn't declare it and got caught. IDK...I guess the rule is just don't buy anything over $800 bucks...

Christina

[CHEZMARYLOU]

Or be prepared to pay the tax.

[Jim_Iain]

Also be pre-warned that if you don't make a declaration and are caught the penalty is confiscation and forfeiture of the item you purchased. Most of the time the officer will give you a second chance by saying -- are you sure you don't have anything to declare.

 

One other warning - Coming back from Europe a number of years ago we made a declaration for a relatively expensive item. The duty was minimal as it was considered an original piece of art. About a year later we got an invoice from the California Franchise Tax Board for sales tax on the item. Legally you are suppose to also report any expensive out of state purchases (even if out of the country) and they have the authority to collect state sales tax on it. Obviously the Customs Service share this information with the states.