Question for previous B2B'ers

[cbabe]

I have a question regarding custom limits. I'm doing a b2b on the AOS. We will visit St. Thomas twice. Is this considered one trip or two? If it is two trips do we twice the allowances? We have two seperate reservations numbers for each trip if that helps. I would appreciate hearing from someone who's been through it. Thanks!:confused:

[pcur]

One allowance. It's the entry back into the United States that triggers the Customs form, and when you enter the limits go into effect. If you were to go to St. Thomas, then Key West, THEN St. Thomas again, and back to Miami, then you would have two U.S. entries and two Custom forms to fill out.

 

I know this seems odd, since St. Thomas is a U.S. territory, but the custom laws do not include St. Thomas, so when you go back to the continental U.S. you have to do the declarations thing.

[Murphy]

I agree with Peggy. I think the only way you could get around this is if your turn around port was in Miami (or other mainland port) and you literally got off the ship in Miami with your purchases and stored them in Miami for the second week and then reboarded the ship for week two.

[pmshirl]

I have to disagree with the others. I did a B2B on the AOS this past August. We went through customs in St Thomas at the end of week 1. We did have to fill out the customs forms for week 1 and go through immigration. Week 2 started a whole new week and we received a new set of custom and immigration papers at the end of week 2 and went through customs in St Thomas just like we had to for week 1. On the week 1 customs, I could purchase the quota allowed, and also on week 2 I could purchase the quota allowed. Its the same as if you bought your limit in January 2006 and came home then went on a cruise in feb. 2006. Just because they are back to back, they are 2 seperate visitsi 2 seperate weeks. If it isn't allowed why would they give seperate custom forms form each week? As long as you list the amount for week 1 on that form and week2 on week2's form there should be no questions asked.

[cbabe]

Perhaps it would help if I clarify, We are leaving from San Juan, with a visit to St. Thomas, and then back to San Juan. Second Trip, leaving from San Juan, visit to St. Thomas and then end our trip in San Juan before boarding a flight home.

[skiiergirl]

Perhaps it would help if I clarify, We are leaving from San Juan, with a visit to St. Thomas, and then back to San Juan. Second Trip, leaving from San Juan, visit to St. Thomas and then end our trip in San Juan before boarding a flight home.

 

 

Just did this on SR 12/02 & 12/09. Also did it on SR last yr b2b. (Both in/out of SJU.) ONE Allowance! You go through immigration twice but you only get one customs allowance. Mr. Ski has researched this and actually "has the customs book" on it. One allowance only!

 

At the end of week one you go through immigration in SJU. At the end of week two you go through both immigrations and customs in SJU.

 

Hope this helps a little.

[rubrrick]

What are you trying to get thru customs?

[Hlitner]

Do not confuse the number of forms with your limits. Even if you did fill out seperate forms on 2 different cruises, as long as the 2nd cruise returned within 30 days of the first entry, you will be subject to single entry limits. In other words, you cannot legally get seperate duty exemptions for the 2nd entry if it is within 30 days of a prior entry. Does that mean that customs will catch you if you exceed the exemption on the 2nd entry? I haven't the foggiest!

 

Hank

[cbabe]

Thanks so much for the info. I've tried the customs website, but couldn't get any info.

[sassmofi]

Thanks so much for the info. I've tried the customs website, but couldn't get any info.

 

I am heading out on a B2B in two weeks. I have found the information you requested on the government website.

 

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/kbyg/duty_free.xml

 

I hope this helps.

[Maineac]

We are doing a B2B out of San Juan same ship same itinerary.

Can anyone tell me if they make you get off the ship at the end of the first week and if so, how long until they let you back on the ship?

[skiiergirl]

We are doing a B2B out of San Juan same ship same itinerary.

Can anyone tell me if they make you get off the ship at the end of the first week and if so, how long until they let you back on the ship?

 

Just did this. You have two choices. You can get off with everyone else...but then you can't get back on until they open up boarding to everyone. We always take the second option...which is...stay onboard until they are ready to escort you through. You can have breakfast everyone else and then casually go back to your cabin and hang out until around 10:30 or so. (They will have given you the time beforehand.) At the appointed time you will meet near the guest relations desk and someone from guest relations will take you (and the other b2b folks...pax, crew families, entertainers, etc.) off the ship. You will each go through immigrations and then meet back up as a group. They will then whisk you past customs, out the door, back to the front of the building, and in to the security area (as soon as security allows it). You will then get your new seapass card and then go be the first in line to get back on! Last year we were able to immediately reboard but this year we had a small wait time. No big deal though...a chance to visit with some other nice folks. Enjoy! This is a great day!

[cbabe]

I am heading out on a B2B in two weeks. I have found the information you requested on the government website.

 

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/kbyg/duty_free.xml

 

I hope this helps.

 

Thanks sassmofi!

[ckrobyn]

Anyone know what the custom limits are for Canadians sailing for 2 weeks :confused:

[sassmofi]

Anyone know what the custom limits are for Canadians sailing for 2 weeks :confused:

 

Just a quick search. Try browsing around here.

 

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel/canadians-e.html

 

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/E/pub/cp/rc4044/rc4044-06e.pdf

 

Unless you are going on a B2B in Alaska, you will only be leaving and entering Canada once... You will need to look up the terriorty information too.

[Maineac]

Just did this. You have two choices. You can get off with everyone else...but then you can't get back on until they open up boarding to everyone. We always take the second option...which is...stay onboard until they are ready to escort you through. You can have breakfast everyone else and then casually go back to your cabin and hang out until around 10:30 or so. (They will have given you the time beforehand.) At the appointed time you will meet near the guest relations desk and someone from guest relations will take you (and the other b2b folks...pax, crew families, entertainers, etc.) off the ship. You will each go through immigrations and then meet back up as a group. They will then whisk you past customs, out the door, back to the front of the building, and in to the security area (as soon as security allows it). You will then get your new seapass card and then go be the first in line to get back on! Last year we were able to immediately reboard but this year we had a small wait time. No big deal though...a chance to visit with some other nice folks. Enjoy! This is a great day!

 

 

Thanks Skiiergirl.......Sounds pretty painless.

[Maineac]

Just did this. You have two choices. You can get off with everyone else...but then you can't get back on until they open up boarding to everyone. We always take the second option...which is...stay onboard until they are ready to escort you through. You can have breakfast everyone else and then casually go back to your cabin and hang out until around 10:30 or so. (They will have given you the time beforehand.) At the appointed time you will meet near the guest relations desk and someone from guest relations will take you (and the other b2b folks...pax, crew families, entertainers, etc.) off the ship. You will each go through immigrations and then meet back up as a group. They will then whisk you past customs, out the door, back to the front of the building, and in to the security area (as soon as security allows it). You will then get your new seapass card and then go be the first in line to get back on! Last year we were able to immediately reboard but this year we had a small wait time. No big deal though...a chance to visit with some other nice folks. Enjoy! This is a great day!

 

Thanks Skiiergirl.......Sounds pretty painless. :rolleyes: