Debarking pulled to meet with customs???

[BND]

1 minute ago, crazyfrazee said:

Of course! Felonies as a minor don't follow you as an adult. He was probably 20 years old when it happened but was in his upper 30's when they cruised. I wasn't blaming the cruise line. The cruiselines submit the manifest to CBP and the names are run just as airports do.

I didn't say you blamed the cruise line.  You said the family said they'd never cruise again so they appeared to place blame.

[BND]

1 hour ago, ggo85 said:

Some people mistakenly assume that "duty free" means you don't have to pay duty.  As a general rule, any purchase outside the US is subject to the limit (generally $800 per person with some exceptions) even if it's purchased in a duty free shop.  I believe ships are required to report any purchases close to the limit per passenger, even if you are with a spouse or family such that you aren't even close to the total limit for your family.  

 

Many port stores will tell you that you that their merchandise is "duty free" and that you don't have to pay any fees upon return to the US.  That's incorrect, if you're over the limit.  They ask for your ship and even cabin number under the guise of giving you a "better deal."  Usually the reason is:  (1) to reward the person on the ship (i.e., port lecturer) who recommended them, (2) to know whether the money they pay to the cruise line to recommend them is paying off, and (3) to inform the ship and/or US customs about the purchase.

 

I think US customs got fed up with people not declaring high value items so this approach largely solves the problem.  

 

Finally, the amount of duty isn't huge.  So, if you think you're getting a great deal (and you probably aren't), check before you go and factor the duty into the overall cost.  

It's $1600/person in the US Virgin Islands.  And pulling people out of line isn't new.  It's been reported off and on for years.  We've had jewelers offer to give us a fake receipt to use for customs.  We have only gone over once or twice and that was back when we had to do the customs form.  One time, they had us go to another room/office in the terminal and pay.  They didn't take credit cards, only cash.  It was like $12.50.  We had zero change, as did they, so I think we ended up giving them like $15.  It was hardly worth the time and effort of the two customs officers we dealt with.   That had to be 15 years ago.  The other time, we were just waved through.  

[CruiszBug]

The one time I was pulled aside I was with a porter travelling solo. The customs officer took a look at all my baggage and asked where the rest of my party was? I told him these were all mine. He looked incredulous and signaled to someone who escorted me to the customs room where I had to open every bag, lol!  They told me when they were done, "I guess you like to dress up when you cruise" LOL! 

Edited September 16, 2022 by CruiszBug

[birdylady]

7 hours ago, ONECRUISER said:

Post 9/11 traveled last minute 8+ times a yr buying ticket sometimes hrs before Flight. Being Solo, Male, Boarding Pass got the mark for Secondary Screening and I was always pulled aside for that. Last 6yrs at least 4 Times it happened getting off Royal Ships when while scanning my Card instead of a Bing a Bong sounded. 2 times I was in last 10 getting off, had late Flight and was Holiday Weekend so no hurry and all 4 times they escorted me to front of long Customs lines. Painless, doesn't bother me... Irony, got off Cruise and arrived home with my Kids on 9/11, was in DC during Sniper situation, arrived in Florida during Anthrax scare and got off another Cruise day of Shoe Bomber. When got to Miami Airport was one first to remove Shoes, wasnt even aware what had just happened. 

Remind me not to travel with you.  A little to many major events.

 

Erika

[birdylady]

8 hours ago, ONECRUISER said:

Sorry, duplicate post

Edited September 17, 2022 by birdylady

[ONECRUISER]

53 minutes ago, birdylady said:

Remind me not to travel with you.  A little to many major events.

 

Erika

Was mentioned more then a few times in the past... Couple yrs later also had few Airplane issues on following, all separate Flights. While flying cross Country the Cockpit had a Cracked Windshield over St Louis. Plane slid off runway getting stuck in snow, this on the way to a Cruise. Electrical issues on another with inop Bathroom. Couldnt shut the plane door and arm the Emergency Slide. No heat on another and lastly had Tire issues/Flat on 2 different Flights. Did get lot future flight credits and/or free flights during or after that 2yr period

Edited September 17, 2022 by ONECRUISER

[DaKahuna]

Our most amusing experience was when I transferred to Hawaii after being stationed in Japan for seven and a half years.   When we arrived from Tokyo at Honolulu International and were going through customs the agent, who was new to the job apparently, asked us if we had anything to declare and I told him "no."   He then asked if we had made any purchases while overseas and I told him "yes, everything we owned was purchased overseas."  He then started trying to explain to me that I should have declared all these items on my customs declaration and that we would have to pay taxes on it.  Luckily about that time a supervisor came by to see what the hold up was.  The guy explained to him what had transpired and the supervisor looked at me, my Japanese wife and two small children and asked if I was in the military.  I informed him yes, and we were being stationed in Hawaii after living in Japan for the last seven and a half years.  He then laughed, told me to go ahead and repack my belonging and to have a good day.  As I was packing I heard him explain that active duty military were not like tourist and did not have to pay import taxes on personal items while purchased overseas.  

[ReneeFLL]

15 hours ago, ONECRUISER said:

Was mentioned more then a few times in the past... Couple yrs later also had few Airplane issues on following, all separate Flights. While flying cross Country the Cockpit had a Cracked Windshield over St Louis. Plane slid off runway getting stuck in snow, this on the way to a Cruise. Electrical issues on another with inop Bathroom. Couldnt shut the plane door and arm the Emergency Slide. No heat on another and lastly had Tire issues/Flat on 2 different Flights. Did get lot future flight credits and/or free flights during or after that 2yr period

You’ve had more plane issues then my husband and he’s a pilot. 🤣

[ONECRUISER]

13 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

Our most amusing experience was when I transferred to Hawaii after being stationed in Japan for seven and a half years.   When we arrived from Tokyo at Honolulu International and were going through customs the agent, who was new to the job apparently, asked us if we had anything to declare and I told him "no."   He then asked if we had made any purchases while overseas and I told him "yes, everything we owned was purchased overseas."  He then started trying to explain to me that I should have declared all these items on my customs declaration and that we would have to pay taxes on it.  Luckily about that time a supervisor came by to see what the hold up was.  The guy explained to him what had transpired and the supervisor looked at me, my Japanese wife and two small children and asked if I was in the military.  I informed him yes, and we were being stationed in Hawaii after living in Japan for the last seven and a half years.  He then laughed, told me to go ahead and repack my belonging and to have a good day.  As I was packing I heard him explain that active duty military were not like tourist and did not have to pay import taxes on personal items while purchased overseas.  

Yeah not news to me, couple times had similar issue. Then after my Wife Passed as a Single Parent Traveling with 3 young children really didnt have as many problems as thought I would. Few times they'd think my 12yr old Daughter was my Wife wondering why she didn't have a Driver's Licence, this also happened even on Royal and Norwegian Cruises. Military Community was very supportive my last few yrs until I retired...

[cruiselvr04]

I got stopped and our bags were searched once.  I think the agent was a bit over zealous.  I was wearing my usual diamond rings and he accused me of buying one on the trip and not declaring it.  I even showed him the back which I thought showed wear.  Nope to the back we go.  They went through everything including my receipts from the ship. They were just sure it was a new ring.  After about 30 minutes they let us go. Seriously it was at least 5 years old and bought in the good ole USA. I have since stopped cleaning my rings just before we leave.  Lol.

[steveru621]

22 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

"Stores reporting you", "ship's purchases", etc. are all urban legends. Fake News. 

 

I know for a fact, the stores report large purchases to the CBP.

[njkruzer]

Just now, steveru621 said:

 

I know for a fact, the stores report large purchases to the CBP.

Agree. The cbp knew I had bought the ring.

[boscobeans]

Happened to us TWICE on Holland America. 

Both time we had large jewelry purchases on board.

No problem since the purchases were all listed on the (back then required) declaration.

They had our checked luggage but to the best of our knowledge never went through it.

[brillohead]

10 hours ago, steveru621 said:

 

I know for a fact, the stores report large purchases to the CBP.

And I know that @Lionesss got stopped once after favorable casino visit.  Only way for CBP to know that is if the ship informed them.