Notifications
Clear all
Topic starter
Hi all, just saw another customs post and wanted to see if anyone had more info about bringing one of the liquor boxes back to the states. I'll be going up in a few weeks and had a few questions:
1) Are 6 liter bottles ok? (planning on bringing about half whiskey, half rum including Cruzan)
2) Does anyone know how the duty works if you bring in excess of whatever the USVI allowance is (thinking of buying one extra bottle to take up)
3) Does American still let you check the liquor box free?
4) Is it OK for me to tape the liquor box shut or should I keep it open for customs to inspect? After inspection, assuming I have to keep it open, can I tape it shut to keep everything in it secure?
Thanks!
Posted : January 9, 2014 9:00 pm
last i heard it was 6 as long as one was cruzan
when i worked at baci-we would tape the boxes shut after packing them -bubble wrap and or newspaper
last i heard it was still a free check
Posted : January 9, 2014 9:44 pm
Bring back full 1,000 ml bottles not the usual 750ml.Be sure to put some dirty socks or tea shirts in the box under the bottles. Sounds weird but the baggage guys ( mostly in San Juan) like to slam the boxes down on the concrete and crack the bottles. Write your home phone number on the box and the final flight number. If You don't see it at your final destination check with the lost luggage agent. They like to call it a lost bag and the airline won't make good on the loss and they know it. Then the baggage guys have some free party sauce. After we figured this out we haven't lost a bottle. Better to gift a bottle of Cruzan to friends or family than some creep at the airport. Yes American and Jet Blue don't charge for a 6 pack box. Some kind of a deal with the government. TSA might open the box , but I tape mine shut.
Posted : January 9, 2014 10:18 pm
If you tape it shut, TSA will just cut it open again to inspect the bottles. They then wrap the bottles and tape the box shut. I've watched them doing it many times (you can see them in the STX airport).
Most everyone I see traveling from STX puts the box through without tape, and then they just let TSA tape it.
Just show up at the American counter with your 6-pack box. They deal with them all the time...
Posted : January 9, 2014 11:44 pm
Buy it at the airport at the liquor store. I think it's Caribbean Host. They have everthing you could want. Go to the one at the gate after you've gone through security. They tape it shut for you and you can carry it on.
They can tell you how much you can bring on too. I know you can buy at least six. Probably more.
Posted : January 9, 2014 11:57 pm
Buy it at the airport at the liquor store. I think it's Caribbean Host. They have everthing you could want. Go to the one at the gate after you've gone through security. They tape it shut for you and you can carry it on.
They can tell you how much you can bring on too. I know you can buy at least six. Probably more.
This is on STT? I'm not sure which island the OP is referring to.
Posted : January 10, 2014 12:11 am
If you're leaving from STT, purchasing from Caribbean Host will cost you quite a bit more than purchasing at any supermarket. The duty free deal is for 6 x 750 ml bottles as long as one of them is made in the USVI. You can take more than six bottles but will be charged duty on the excess.
Posted : January 10, 2014 1:53 am
Topic starter
I should mention i'm leaving from STX. I've already picked up the box from Cost U Less and have all the bottles i'll be taking back except for maybe 1. I have a 750ml bottle of Barrilito from PR I want to bring back but am thinking of just paying the duty on that and putting another 1L bottle in its place in the box.
Posted : January 10, 2014 12:36 pm
The allowance is one proof gallon and you are allowed one extra fifth if manufactured in the VI.
What is proof?
Proof is a method of measuring the alcohol content of spirits. You calculate the proof of a spirits product by multiplying the percent of alcohol by volume by two (2). For example, a spirits product that has a 40% alcohol content by volume is 80 proof [40 multiplied by 2 = 80].
Converting U.S. gallons into proof gallons for tax purposes:
1. Multiply U.S. gallons by the percent of alcohol by volume.
2. Multiply by 2.
3. Divide by 100.
Sample calculation:
1. 100 U.S. gallons x 40% alcohol by volume=4000
2. 4000 x 2=8000
3. 8000/100= 80 proof gallons
sooo.....
5 liters = 1.32 gallons = 1.056 proof gallons. Close enough to 1 gallon IF 40% (80 proof) booze.
Posted : January 10, 2014 12:49 pm
you are not allowed to take back the 151 cruzan
Posted : January 10, 2014 6:11 pm
Do they actually look to see what proof it is? Why should it matter if it's 151 as long as it's VI made?
Don't get it.:-o
Posted : January 10, 2014 6:44 pm
I've never had them remove and look at the bottles, not even to be sure that one was local.
I always take 1 liter bottles. I looked up the proof gallon formula years ago just in case they
got picky....
Posted : January 10, 2014 7:10 pm
it is what i heard about the cruzan 151
Posted : January 10, 2014 9:02 pm
can't fly with anything more than 140 proof. They will confiscate it if they find it. Has been the rule for a number of years.
Posted : January 10, 2014 9:43 pm
Buy it at the airport at the liquor store. I think it's Caribbean Host. They have everthing you could want. Go to the one at the gate after you've gone through security. They tape it shut for you and you can carry it on.
They can tell you how much you can bring on too. I know you can buy at least six. Probably more.This is on STT? I'm not sure which island the OP is referring to.
Yes. STT
Posted : January 10, 2014 9:52 pm
No 151 allowed on the airline. High proof booze is flammable as such not is allowed.
Posted : January 10, 2014 10:41 pm
I found out today that SCLawGuy is on STX and is also a good friend of mine! It's funny putting online nicknames to faces. 🙂
Posted : January 10, 2014 10:47 pm
I'd rather pay the extra dollar or two at Caribbean Host in the airport to avoid all the hassles.
P.S. I've bought 151 numerous times without a problem. They pack it and apply the security tape to their box and no problem.
Posted : January 11, 2014 1:38 pm
I'd rather pay the extra dollar or two at Caribbean Host in the airport to avoid all the hassles.
P.S. I've bought 151 numerous times without a problem. They pack it and apply the security tape to their box and no problem.
He's on STX.
Posted : January 11, 2014 1:43 pm
I'd rather pay the extra dollar or two at Caribbean Host in the airport to avoid all the hassles.
P.S. I've bought 151 numerous times without a problem. They pack it and apply the security tape to their box and no problem.He's on STX.
Understood. Just saying. I've found that supermarkets are not that much cheaper. It's worth it to me to pay extra than go through the hassles.
Posted : January 11, 2014 3:14 pm
I'd rather pay the extra dollar or two at Caribbean Host in the airport to avoid all the hassles.
P.S. I've bought 151 numerous times without a problem. They pack it and apply the security tape to their box and no problem.He's on STX.
Understood. Just saying. I've found that supermarkets are not that much cheaper. It's worth it to me to pay extra than go through the hassles.
Oh yeah, I would definitely do that if we had a market on STX to buy at the airport. I've had friends ask me to bring boxes back several times and it just doesn't happen because of all the admin involved. 😉
Posted : January 11, 2014 3:18 pm
