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Shipping rum...
- Thread starter Eddie
- Start date
jayhawkgirl
SBH Insider
Just a side note, but the amount equal to one individual's "personal consumption" may be vastly different than that of another person. 
That being said, and this is not legal advice, only a description of personal experience, I think the customs forms use to require disclosure of alcohol, but as someone else mentioned, I don't think they do now. When we traveled to Italy about five years ago, we brought back 6 bottles of wine, expecting to pay duty on 4 of them, because, at the time, a person could bring back somewhat less than 2 bottles duty free. The customs agent in Atlanta asked us about the wine, and then passed us right on through with no duty.
This last February, we brought back four bottles of vanilla rum in our checked luggage (the most weight we could add to our bags without going over the SBC weight limit, even after dumping all our sunscreen and toiletries), and although my husband filled out the customs form, I think he told me there was no longer a place for declaring alcohol. If asked, we would have declared it, however, four international flights landed about the same time in Charlotte, and customs was so swamped, I don't think they had time to ask about anything but the basics.
For future reference, a wine purveyor near us sells what amounts to bubble wrap bags that completely seal up in case of a cork malfunction for the purpose of bringing back bottles in luggage. You might inquire at a wine store near where you live prior to your next trip. Since we brought ours from home, I don't know if any place on the island has such an item or not.
That being said, and this is not legal advice, only a description of personal experience, I think the customs forms use to require disclosure of alcohol, but as someone else mentioned, I don't think they do now. When we traveled to Italy about five years ago, we brought back 6 bottles of wine, expecting to pay duty on 4 of them, because, at the time, a person could bring back somewhat less than 2 bottles duty free. The customs agent in Atlanta asked us about the wine, and then passed us right on through with no duty. This last February, we brought back four bottles of vanilla rum in our checked luggage (the most weight we could add to our bags without going over the SBC weight limit, even after dumping all our sunscreen and toiletries), and although my husband filled out the customs form, I think he told me there was no longer a place for declaring alcohol. If asked, we would have declared it, however, four international flights landed about the same time in Charlotte, and customs was so swamped, I don't think they had time to ask about anything but the basics.
For future reference, a wine purveyor near us sells what amounts to bubble wrap bags that completely seal up in case of a cork malfunction for the purpose of bringing back bottles in luggage. You might inquire at a wine store near where you live prior to your next trip. Since we brought ours from home, I don't know if any place on the island has such an item or not.
andynap
Senior Insider
I don't think the Customs forms ever had a liquor question but it doesn't matter because it doesn't now. The worse that can happen is to pay tax on it. It's really not a big deal except maybe to linger in the customs area for a time- maybe not great if you are going for a tight connection.
BTW- there are places where you can bring back 1 gallon for each person but SBH is not one of them.
BTW- there are places where you can bring back 1 gallon for each person but SBH is not one of them.
andynap
Senior Insider
It's not illegal-it's civil- just pay the tax. There is a criminal statute involving fines and potential jail time for bringing Cuban cigars in to the U.S. Interesting concept?
Oh- and I never give legal advice on this forum- it's my personal opinion all the time every time unless I say otherwise.
Oh- and I never give legal advice on this forum- it's my personal opinion all the time every time unless I say otherwise.
elgreaux
Senior Insider
made on the island doesn't have anything to do with US customs...
here's part of the story:
Alcoholic Beverages
One liter (33.8 fl. oz.) of alcoholic beverages may be included in your exemption if:
You are 21 years old.
It is for your own use or as a gift.
It does not violate the laws of the state in which you arrive.
Federal regulations allow you to bring back more than one liter of alcoholic beverage for personal use, but, as with extra tobacco, you will have to pay duty and Internal Revenue Service tax.
here's part of the story:
Alcoholic Beverages
One liter (33.8 fl. oz.) of alcoholic beverages may be included in your exemption if:
You are 21 years old.
It is for your own use or as a gift.
It does not violate the laws of the state in which you arrive.
Federal regulations allow you to bring back more than one liter of alcoholic beverage for personal use, but, as with extra tobacco, you will have to pay duty and Internal Revenue Service tax.
MIke R
Senior Insider
MrSalem said:
I agree..which is why we dont buy vanilla rhum anymore down there....but it goes way beyond that for us...we love the Lemongrass Rhum out of the freezer in the summer....I personally like Cris De Nerf better than Vanilla....we like the Christmas rhum....and the Rhum du Bois...and those rhums we have no clue how to make
PIRATE40
Senior Insider
....The liquor import lawas are a changing....I have 8 bottles being held up in customs because I am over the new "limit"...Never a problem before and UPS couldn't tell me what the new limit is. They are asking for an ATF import permit to bring that much into the country...sooooooo..all that great Champagne is sitting in a hot customs holding warehouse in Kentucky waiting for the shipper to have it shipped back across the pond....
