St. Croix, USVI is a paradise destination known for its pristine beaches, vibrant culture, and unique shopping experiences. As a visitor to this beautiful island, you have the opportunity to indulge in duty-free shopping and bring back some fantastic souvenirs and products without paying excessive customs duties. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about duty-free allowances in St. Croix, making your shopping experience even more enjoyable.
$1,600.00 Per Person Tax Exemption for U.S. Citizens:
If you’re a U.S. citizen, including children, visiting St. Croix, you’re in for a treat. You can enjoy a generous tax exemption of up to $1,600.00 worth of duty-free merchandise every 30 days. This means you can shop to your heart’s content and return home with an impressive array of goodies without worrying about hefty customs duties. You can check the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website for more detailed information.
Duty-Free Allowance for Alcoholic Beverages:
For those aged 21 and above, the alcoholic beverage allowance is particularly enticing. U.S. residents can bring back four liters of liquor duty-free from St. Croix. Even better, if one of those liters is a product made in the U.S. Virgin Islands (think Captain Morgan and Cruzan Rum), you can add a fifth liter to your duty-free haul! This is quite the contrast compared to the one-liter-per-person limit outside the U.S. territory. Some airlines even allow you to check on a box of liquor without incurring additional baggage fees, but it’s always a good idea to double-check with your specific airline for up-to-date information.
Tobacco Products Allowance:
For those who enjoy tobacco products, here’s some good news. U.S. citizens aged 21 or older can bring back up to 100 cigars (non-Cuban origin) and up to 5 cartons or 1,000 cigarettes duty-free per person if purchased in the U.S. Virgin Islands. This allows you to stock up on your favorite smokes without any customs duties weighing you down.
Shipping Merchandise to the United States:
As a U.S. resident, you have the option to ship goods purchased in St. Croix (“unaccompanied purchases”) back to the United States. This means you can shop freely during your trip and have your treasures mailed to your home address. For unaccompanied purchases from the US Virgin Islands, you can declare up to $1,600 worth of merchandise per person duty-free under your personal exemption. Additionally, you can mail an extra $1,000 worth of goods at a flat rate of 1.5% percent, which is a fantastic option for those who want to bring back more souvenirs and gifts.
Remember to stay within the duty-free allowances to ensure a smooth return journey, and be sure to check the U.S Customs and Border Protection website for any updates or further details on duty-free shopping from St. Croix, US Virgin Islands.
Traveling Family Bonus Tip: Joint Declaration
If you’re traveling to the United States with your family and all reside in the same household, there’s a fantastic opportunity to streamline your customs declaration process. Known as the “Joint Declaration,” this option allows family members to combine their purchases and benefit from a combined flat duty rate, regardless of the individual ownership of the items. It’s an excellent way to save on customs duties and make the most of your shopping experiences abroad.
For a family of four, the flat duty rate is set at $4,000. This means that if the total value of the combined merchandise falls within this threshold, the family will only need to pay customs duties based on this fixed amount. The ease of calculation and the potential savings make the Joint Declaration an attractive option for families traveling together.
We hope this guide has provided you with valuable information for your shopping adventures in St. Croix. Enjoy your visit to this beautiful island and make the most of its duty-free shopping opportunities! Happy shopping!