Originally Posted by
FC flyer
A few years ago we fell in love with South African wines while there and brought back 2 cases, fully expecting to pay duty on them. The US customs site says duty will be 3%. They waived us through customs without paying any duty.
Last week we went to the Barossa and Mclaren Vale wine regions, and bought 4 cases, again expecting to pay 3% duty. We were told that the amount we paid was irrelevant, and were charged 23 cents per bottle for 46 bottles (2 can come in duty free). With a small service charge, we paid about $15.00 duty on 46 bottles of Australian wine.
Anyone ever been charged the 3%?
Never been charged 3% here. I don't think they ever really bother when traveling via air since you can't ever bring that much in anyway. Might be different thought if you were bringing in 12 bottles of 1864 Madeira at $1200+ per bottle.