An important attraction of cruise vacations is the ability to purchase some items, for less, and duty-free outside of the United States. This is popular on cruises especially in the Caribbean.

Duty-free means that the goods you purchase are free of taxes in the country where you are buying them. This does not mean you will not pay taxes on your foreign purchases when you arrive back in your home country.

All purchases being brought back to the United States are subject to duty, if you exceed your standard exemption. All U.S. citizens are allowed to bring a certain amount of duty free purchases back into the U.S. exempt from taxes. This depends on your cruise itinerary and the ports you visit. The actual amounts will vary depending on your destinations.

All duty-free items sold must be taken out of the country prior to use. They are not meant to be used, worn, eaten, drunken, etc. in the country where you purchased them.

All allowances are per person including children and infants. So if you exceed your allowance you can pass them on to someone else in your family who has not exceeded their duty-free allowance. No duty will be paid as long as the total declared is under the allowed limit.

While duty free import limits are set by the traveler’s home country on how much he or she can bring home without paying some import duties, most countries give their citizens traveling in the Caribbean generous duty-free allowances.

The following guidelines pertain to U.S. residents only. Non-U.S. residents must comply with customs laws in their country. Check with Customs for guidelines on current requirements.

Below are current examples of items and allowances for certain countries.

General duty free allowances in Barbados

Personal Effects: 1 liter of potable spirits or wine, 200 cigarettes (one carton) or 100 cigars or 50 cigars and cigarettes not exceeding 230 grams in aggregate.
All articles in excess of this exemption are subject to the relevant duty and tax.

Personal effects are passengers’ baggage containing apparel and articles for personal use which a traveler may reasonably require during his vacation e.g. clothing, cosmetics and accessories.

Jamaica Customs & Duty-free Allowances and Restrictions

• Tobacco…………………………200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 grams tobacco
• Liquor…………………………….2 liters of spirits (excluding rum) and 2 liters of wine
• Perfume…………………………340ml of eau de toilette and 150 grams of perfume
• Goods……………………………up to a value of j$150
• Cameras………………………..no restrictions
• Film………………………………reasonable for personal use
• Agricultural items/currency/gifts
• Prohibited items……………….explosives, firearms, dangerous drugs (including marijuana), meat, flowers, fresh fruit, rum, vegetables (unless canned), coffee of any form and honey cannot be brought into Jamaica. cats and dogs are also prohibited unless arriving directly from the U.K., having been born and bred there, carrying a certificate from the ministry of agriculture, fisheries and food and if a permit for their import has been obtained from the ministry of agriculture, hope gardens, Kingston 6.

Grand Cayman Duty Free Allowances

U.S. citizens, for example, can bring home $800 per person duty free which suggests that your purchases can add up, especially for a family when traveling together, as each member of the family is given the same duty free dollar allowance. When purchases exceed the basic allowance, U.S. Customs typically applies a duty of only 10% on the first $1000 in purchases over the allowance.

Duty-free allowance on ships that call at any of the U.S. Virgin Islands – $1,200 (retail) of duty-free purchases per adult, including 5 liters of liquor per adult, of which at least one must be a product of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Of the $1,200, no more than $600, including 1 liter of liquor, 1 carton of cigarettes and 100 cigars (non-Cuban) may be purchased in other ports or on board.

Duty-free allowance on ships sailing EXCLUSIVELY to Mexico, Alaska and/or U.S. Ports – $400 (retail) of duty-free purchases per adult, including 1 liter of liquor, 1 carton of cigarettes and 100 cigars (non-Cuban) per adult.

Duty-free allowance on all other ships - $600 (retail), includes 2 liters of liquor per adult, depending on the port of purchase.

ATF regulations -According to the ATF, cigarettes and other tobacco products made in the U.S. for “Export Only” may not be returned to the U.S. under any circumstances. Cigarettes that note “Tax Exempt - for use outside U.S.“ or “U.S. tax exempt - for use outside U.S.” will be seized and a potential $1,000.00 penalty may be imposed. This includes cigarettes and tobacco products purchased in the U.S. Virgin Islands and San Juan. This new federal regulation went into effect January 1, 2000 by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. Foreign-made cigarettes and tobacco products may be brought into the U.S. in personal use quantities (Example: 1 carton per person).

The above are just some examples. As you can see, if you visit more than one country this can be a complicated process.

There are certain items that you are not allowed to bring into the United States. If you are caught with these items they will be confiscated and you could be receiving a stiff fine. If you bring in Cuban cigars you may receive a criminal charge. Here is a list of some of the forbidden items:

1. Live animals
2. Items made from an endangered species. I.e. elephant ivory, sea turtles, items from coral reefs, crocodile skin or furs from exotic cats
3. Fresh meat
4. Fresh produce
5. Cuban cigars
6. Antiques that are over 100 years old and sold without a proper permit
7. Cultural artifacts unless sold with an export permit issued by the country of the item’s origin.
8. Narcotics, including drugs that are legal in the United States with a prescription
9. More than $10,000 in currency

The U.S. Customs Service offers a wealth of information about what you can and cannot bring back into the country. They also offer all the rules and regulations reference bringing items back into the United States. They offer a free booklet you can request. To learn more go to www.customs.gov.

You can find beautiful settings that can soothe your soul, and centuries of art and history to invigorate your mind. It’s very likely you’ll be as charmed by the Greek people as you are by their landscape. When traveling to Greece on a luxury cruise you will enhance your vacation two-fold. First, your luxury Greek cruise will offer 6 star food and service with individuals of common interests. Second, Greece will stimulate your senses the minute you step on land. Your luxury Greek cruise ship will be your floating resort with the option of visiting many of the Greek Islands.

History

The impact of ancient Greece on the Western world can’t be overstated. The rediscovery of Greek classics of philosophy, science and literature in the 14th and 15th centuries had a profound influence on the development of Western thought, leading Europe into the Renaissance. The effects of those revelations are still with us today. The notion of democracy, the concept of the atom, the image of the Earth as round, the scientific method itself—all these and more had their birth in the writings of ancient Greece.

Though its recorded history goes back thousands of years, modern-day Greece was largely shaped by the past several centuries. The Ottoman Empire took control of Greece in the 15th century and governed until 1821, when the war of independence began. A monarchy, installed in 1832 under Prince Otto of Bavaria, was abolished and reinstated twice during the 20th century. A military junta took power in 1967, but was booted out in 1974. That year, the nation finally returned to democracy, a concept that was born there two and a half millennia earlier.

The following years brought a period of political stability and economic development. Greece obtained full membership in the European Union in 1981, and replaced the drachma with the euro in 2002. In 2004, Greece hosted a very successful Olympic Games, without any of the security or other problems that were feared. The success of the games seems to be having a beneficial effect on the economy and tourism. The long-term conflict with Turkey over Cyprus is also much smoother now, as Turkey wishes to join the EU. Before it can do so, a resolution to the island’s division must be found.

Geography

The landscape of Greece is surprisingly varied, ranging from the cool, wet mountain regions of the northwest and the coastal hills of the Peloponnese, to the plains of Macedonia and the sun-drenched, rocky islands that lie in three different seas off the coast. Off the western coast, in the Ionian Sea, are the Ionian Islands of Cephalonia, Corfu, Ithaca, Lefkada, Paxi and Zakinthos, plus distant Kythira, which lies at the foot of the Peloponnese. Islands off the eastern coast, in the Aegean, include the Dodecanese islands of Kalimnos, Kos, Patmos, Rhodes and Symi; the Cyclades, a group of 220 islands, includes Paros, Delos, Ios, Mykonos, Naxos, Santorini, Siros and Tinos; the Sporades islands of Alonissos, Skiathos, Skopelos and Skyros; and the large islands of Samos, Ikaria, Chios, Lesbos, Limnos and Samothrace. South from Athens are the Argo-Saronic islands of Aegina, Poros, Spetses and Hydra. The island of Crete, which boasts the warmest weather in Greece, lies far to the south, in the Mediterranean—it’s Europe’s southernmost border.Greece’s main attractions include beaches, historic sites, modern and ancient culture, striking scenery, spas, islands, cave exploration, charming people, casinos, yachting and shopping, food and nightlife.

Conclusion

Nearly everyone will love Greece. It’s a relatively inexpensive destination with diverse attractions. The country will especially appeal to travelers who enjoy history, philosophy, sailing, beaches and quaint villages. Don’t expect lush tropical scenery around the beaches (Greece is quite arid) or a wide variety of international foods, although the offerings have improved considerably in Athens and other primary tourist centers.

US Issues Rule on Land, Sea Entry
Thu Mar 27 2008

The Homeland Security (DHS) and State departments announced today
the final rule for the land and sea portion of the Western
Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), requiring travelers to present
a passport or other approved secure document denoting citizenship
and identity for all land and sea travel into the US, effective
June 1, 2009.

Air passengers already are required to present a WHTI-secure
document on re-entry to the US. The rule announced today affects
cruise passengers arriving at US ports, as well as those crossing
the border from Canada and Mexico.

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative was enacted by Congress as
part of its response to the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

In addition to the release of the WHTI final rule, DHS is
officially designating the Washington State Enhanced Driver’s
License (EDL) as a WHTI-compliant document.

DHS, in an announcement, said that it is publishing the WHTI land
and sea final rule more than a year in advance of its
implementation to give the public ample notice and time to obtain
the WHTI-compliant documents.

In addition to a valid US passport, WHTI-compliant documents
include a Trusted Traveler Card (NEXUS, SENTRI and FAST), or a
Washington State EDL. These are used by residents of areas on the
Canadian border who frequently travel between the countries.

The State Dept. is accepting applications for the new Passport
Cards and additional states and Canadian provinces will be issuing
EDLs in the next several months - all of which are options
specifically designed for land and sea border use, according to the
Homeland Security department.

Beginning June 1, 2009, DHS will institute special provisions that
allow school or other organized groups of children ages 18 and
under who are US or Canadian citizens to enter the US with proof of
citizenship alone.

Since Jan. 1, US and Canadian citizens ages 19 and older have been
asked to present proof of identity and citizenship at land border
crossings and arrivals by sea. Children ages 18 and under are
currently asked only to present proof of citizenship, such as a
birth certificate.

For more information, visit: http://travel.state.gov