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Buying booze in the Bahamas


wwinfl91

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We are looking at taking a short cruise to the Bahamas and I was wondering what the rules are for buying liquor (rum in particular) there. I have made a number of "booze cruises" that called in St Thomas USVI and there you can bring back 8 liters if you buy at least one bottle that was produced in the USVI or in Puerto Rico.

 

Does anyone know what the rules are when returning from the Bahamas? Also are the prices similar to the savings that one can get in the USVI or in Puerto Rico?

 

Thanks for any information.

 

Have a great next cruise.

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We are looking at taking a short cruise to the Bahamas and I was wondering what the rules are for buying liquor (rum in particular) there. I have made a number of "booze cruises" that called in St Thomas USVI and there you can bring back 8 liters if you buy at least one bottle that was produced in the USVI or in Puerto Rico.

 

Does anyone know what the rules are when returning from the Bahamas? Also are the prices similar to the savings that one can get in the USVI or in Puerto Rico?

 

Thanks for any information.

 

Have a great next cruise.

 

The rule is the US Virgin Island is lenient because you are not "importing" in the US. You are already IN the US. So there really isn't any maximum.

 

The U.S. rule is 1 ltr per adult. NO matter what outside country you are coming from. Some agents allow more.. but you can be asked to pay duty on any number over 1.

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I have found the Carnival rule to be 1 liter per passenger over the age of 21. You may also bring 1 more liter if that product is bottled in the Bahamas. Depending which port you are disembarking at, they may or may not charge you duty on more. I have known passengers to bring back 4 liters with no charge. The duty is quite small, probably $1 a liter or so. The prices in the Bahamas aren't as good as in St. Thomas, except at the Bacardi store on Bay Street (left from the port about 3 or 4 blocks),

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I have found the Carnival rule to be 1 liter per passenger over the age of 21. You may also bring 1 more liter if that product is bottled in the Bahamas. Depending which port you are disembarking at, they may or may not charge you duty on more. I have known passengers to bring back 4 liters with no charge. The duty is quite small, probably $1 a liter or so. The prices in the Bahamas aren't as good as in St. Thomas, except at the Bacardi store on Bay Street (left from the port about 3 or 4 blocks),

 

Most customs agents won't collect duty under $10.. too much work.

I oftentimes bring back 3-4 bottles wrapped and packed. Especially if i'm traveling from europe with wine.

 

I've even sent back a case of wine from the vineyards from time to time and never asked to pay duty on it. Just depends on the agent and how busy they are.

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Liquor in Freeport is super cheap compared to the USA. A 1-liter bottle of Smirnoff's Vodka is $7.00, a 1-liter bottle of Absolut is $11.00. Compare to about $24.00 for 750ml of Absolut in the USA. You can get these prices in the liquor stores in Port Lucaya Marketplace.

 

Write down the prices of your favorite liquor before you leave, then compare when you get there. Remember the bottles in Freeport are a full liter (25% bigger than US bottles).

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