Duty Free question
 

I'm not really sure where to post this question...

If I wanted to purchase, say, 5 liters of a high-end liquor (J Walker Blue label) because I find a really good deal on it outside the US, I know I'm exceeding my 1 liter allowance. But if I was willing to pay a legit duty to US Customs, what would they charge?
For what usually costs around $170 at home, I've seen it on sale for as little as $95 (Taiwan)

Wow, this one was actually a tough one to figure out... Now, there is no set answer I can offer you, but here goes it!!!

What is the allowance for alcoholic beverages brought into the United States?

Adults may bring in, free of duty and internal revenue tax, not more than one liter of alcoholic beverages - beer, wine, liquor - for personal use. Quantities above the one-liter limitation are subject to duty and internal revenue tax.

--> Of course, you know that you are allowed 1L. However, they must be satisfied that your importation is for PERSONAL USE ONLY; otherwise, it can get complicated.

--> Each state has its own rules regarding importation of alcohol into the State, which are usually 'more restrictive' than federal liquor laws.

--> These are some sample rates, according to CBP:

DUTY AND TAX RATES SAMPLES (Approximate):
Beer - 15 cents per liter
Still Wine - 34 cents per liter
86 Proof Scotch - $3.06 per liter

--> My suggestion would be to contact CBP or maybe even ATF (they are responsible for setting these laws) and ask the rates regarding importation into your specific state.

Sorry that I can't help further. I'm not American so I don't know these laws extremely well, but best of luck. Heck, $95 for Blue Label is a great deal!

-t.

Thanks for the info. $3 per liter is still a pretty good deal.

I guess if I carry in just 2 or 3 at a time, I can easily make the case for personal use.

Now that I recall, we brought back around 8 bottles from our honeymoon a long time ago, and I remember paying something. Last year we took back a rum variety from Bahamas and the 4 bottles between 2 people didn't attract any attention at all.

Also, depending on where you pass customs, there may be a limitation to the amount you can bring into the state. For instance in California, it's limited to the equivalent to 4 cans of beer and it's not allowable in Utah. So, it may be more than the U.S duty you have to consider.


http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...age=1&t=596024


http://www.abc.ca.gov/permits/importing.html


http://www.alcbev.state.ut.us/Olympi...ly_faqs.html#3

The only place of any consequence that could even bother to care about this is SLC, and they barely have any int'l flights anyway. 5 bottles will still always be considered personal use. Generally speaking they couldn;t care less if you have 2 bottles, unless they really want to give you a hard time. Also in my experience if they are busy they will not generally bother to charge on wine under six bottles as it just isn;t worth it. They will be a bit more vigilant about harder stuff, so just declare it and pay the $20 or so and be done with it.

Also, note that if you are connecting to a flight in the US.... you will have to check the alchohol in your bags... cannot carry it on even purchased in a duty free after security point overseas.

I've brought in more than my allowance of booze on numerous occasions and declared it everytime. I've never had to pay duty.

A month ago I brought in a bottle of JW Gold and Green from SA thru DFW without any problems; the guy I was traveling with brought two bottles of scotch and two bottles of wine and didn't declare them (he does this regularly and has never been caught). I never had a problem declaring it, so I always do.

Like the previous post said, if you buy it at the duty free you will have to put it in your checked bag after clearing customs.

This is an old thread but it's still relevant. How is CBP duty on excess liquor calculated?

Following site seems to suggest it is subject to a duty "at 3 percent, plus any Internal Revenue Tax (IRT)"
https://www.cbp.gov/travel/internati...toms-duty-info
For example
If I bring back 2 liters of scotch, one is exempt. Is the other charged at 3% of purchased price plus $2.85 excise tax (based on $13.50 per proof gallon)?

Bumping a 14 year old thread is rarely a good idea. Therefore, I am closing this thread and the OP may wish to start a new thread which may have more timely information
Obscure2k
TravelBuzz Moderator