You can bring back duty free $1,600 per person. That includes 5 liters of liquor (one of them has to be bottled in the USVI), 100 cigars, and five cartons of cigarettes.

I'm not sure how much they really even check in customs. Last time I went through in January I brought a bag of tomatoes, set them on the counter at customs because I wasn't sure if they were allowed to be brought back to the states. The nice gentleman looked at me and said that he didn't know either, so he let me pass right through. Getting a good tomato in the middle of winter in the midwest is hard to come by, I was so happy to have my tomatoes when I got home.

Molly

Thanks Molly. So how does that work? How would I package my things, alcohol, cigars, etc? Does that stuff get checked with our other luggage or would it be carry on?

Click on "Frequently asked Q&A" at top of page "Quick Links" and scroll down to the "Shopping" category. It is listed there.

npandhm:

We have transported liquor two different ways.....

We (very) securely pack a "six pack" box and ship it as baggage. I know that American & Continental don't charge for this item (but check before hand). You're allowed 6 bottles, each, if one of them is a Virgin Island rum.

If you have a non-stop flight to your destination then you can buy your liquor inside of the terminal after you go through security and carry on the box yourself. Liquor at the airport is more expensive...about $3. per bottle more than Cost-U-Less or K-Mart (for Cruzan Rum). I indicate a non-stop flight because if you have a connection and need to re-enter a secure area you will not be able to carry the liquor boxes in.

F.I.

You can get some reasonable prices for liquor downtown Charlotte Amalie and at Havensight Mall and they will package it for you, they do a pretty good job. I agree with Future Islander that you can get it cheaper at K-Mart and Cost-U-Less, but then you have to pack it yourself. You will have to check the liquor, I would second that you check with your airline if you have to pay extra to check your package. If their is a baggage charge it probably wouldn't make sense to bring the liquor back with you. You can check or pack the cigars. I hate to admit it, but I am a smoker. The saving on cigarettes is huge, the last time I was on island a carton of Marlborro Lights was $17, stateside it is $55.

Molly

Another (good) place is Al Cohen's Liquor Store across from Havensight...and they don't charge for the box. Suggest that you bring some bubble wrap (the small cell type) to cushion the bottom of the bottles. We have been very lucky checking the boxes....no breakage yet.

Cost-U-Less charges $1.99 for the box. I don't know about K-Mart.

The best part about purchasing liquor here is that it's cheaper than on the mainland and "no sales tax".

F.I.

If you fly into San Juan, you can purchase your liquor at the airport. You can purchase 4 bottles, they put them in a special bag, with zip locks on them. You can then carry them right on the plane. Their prices are as good as St. Thomas.

You can now purchase liquor in the STT airport waiting" lounge" (I use the word lounge loosely 🙂 ) after you have cleared security and therefore can carry it on with you as well - no need to travel through San Juan to do this now.

Pia