Sales Tax in US Ports on soda / alcohol

Hi,

 

I tried searching but there are a gazillion posts with the term "tax" "ports" "alcohol"..... so I was hoping someone could point me to a site or thread that has a complete list of US Ports that charge sales tax on drinks.... I've tried many different searches for this using Google but came up empty.

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

TIA

 

 

 

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Not sure about a real list, but definitely NYC, Texas, Alabama, and Florida. While in port that is.

 

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Edited November 25, 2016 by OohLookShinyThings

Not sure about a real list, but definitely NYC, Texas, Alabama, and Florida. While in port that is.

 

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Add California , Washington and Alaska. basically any tax that has added taxes on purchases is on the list.

Edited November 25, 2016 by Kamloops50

Add Louisiana too. Plus from New Orleans you pay tax on your way down the Mississippi.

 

 

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That's semi true Kamloops because Maine has a sales tax on food but the tax for alcohol is buried in the actual price and not itemized...... so how would that work?

 

I appreciate the replies!!

 

So far:

Alabama

Alaska

California

Florida

Loisianna

New York

Texas

Washington

 

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Edited November 25, 2016 by esm54687

In Texas, there was a certain perimeter where the ship has sailed before they can serve liquor without tax. On last night before disembarkation on Texas port. all bars refrained from serving liquor starting at 7pm unless the passenger is willing to be charged with liquor tax.

 

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This is great info we are collecting. It's only a small amount per drink but it's helpful to know.

 

States that charge alcohol sales tax while in port:

 

Alabama

Alaska

California

Florida

Louisiana

New York

Texas*

Washington

 

*within state territorial waters

 

 

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Add Boston. Last month was the first time we got charged the tax. We have cruised out of Boston 6 other times in the past with no tax charge.

In Texas, there was a certain perimeter where the ship has sailed before they can serve liquor without tax. On last night before disembarkation on Texas port. all bars refrained from serving liquor starting at 7pm unless the passenger is willing to be charged with liquor tax.

 

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They don't serve you a drink unless you agree to pay the tax?

 

 

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They don't serve you a drink unless you agree to pay the tax?

 

 

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I was in Miami and rushed onboard to get a drink (I had the UBP) and was keen to try one! They got the drink but I had to sign for it, I wasn't really sure about the UBP at the time so I just signed it. They mentioned afterwards that there was a couple of dollars sales tax.

 

 

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Any clue if taxes are charged while in port for Norwegian Sky?

Any clue if taxes are charged while in port for Norwegian Sky?

Taxes are not based on ship but based on port they are in...... this is not a NCL (cruise line) charge but a city/county/state tax.

 

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Edited November 25, 2016 by esm54687

They don't serve you a drink unless you agree to pay the tax?

 

 

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They hand you a bill. Sign the bill to get your drink. There is no "agreeing". You are making a purchase.

Taxes are not based on ship but based on port they are in...... this is not a NCL (cruise line) charge but a city/county/state tax.

Actually the Sky is different, because the open bar offer is included in the price of the cruise, for everyone. When you get a drink that is covered by this offer, they don't swipe your card, so they can't collect taxes. (I haven't been on the Sky so please correct if I'm wrong.)

 

If you order a drink that is not included, then you have to pay for it and I guess you will pay Florida or Bahamas tax (if the ship is in Floridian or Bahamian territorial waters).

Actually the Sky is different, because the open bar offer is included in the price of the cruise, for everyone. When you get a drink that is covered by this offer, they don't swipe your card, so they can't collect taxes. (I haven't been on the Sky so please correct if I'm wrong.)

 

If you order a drink that is not included, then you have to pay for it and I guess you will pay Florida or Bahamas tax (if the ship is in Floridian or Bahamian territorial waters).

 

did not know about the Sky open bar thing... thank you

I was in Miami and rushed onboard to get a drink (I had the UBP) and was keen to try one! They got the drink but I had to sign for it, I wasn't really sure about the UBP at the time so I just signed it. They mentioned afterwards that there was a couple of dollars sales tax. Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

Florida Sales Tax is 6% so the drink(s) you ordered had to have totaled $34.

In Texas, there was a certain perimeter where the ship has sailed before they can serve liquor without tax. On last night before disembarkation on Texas port. all bars refrained from serving liquor starting at 7pm unless the passenger is willing to be charged with liquor tax.

 

Doesn't Texas also limit the brands that can be served? I seem to remember that happening to a few posters here.

Doesn't Texas also limit the brands that can be served? I seem to remember that happening to a few posters here.

Yes, when cruising from Houston there was a limited number of brands available until you got to international waters. They also sealed in room mini fridge until you are in international waters.

 

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Was on the Jewel Oct 30, did NOT pay any sales tax while in port in San Pedro California.

They hand you a bill. Sign the bill to get your drink. There is no "agreeing". You are making a purchase.

 

 

I know this. I was questioning the one I quoted. They said you have to agree to it. I've never sailed from Texas and was asking if it's SOP there.

 

 

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Doesn't Texas also limit the brands that can be served? I seem to remember that happening to a few posters here.

 

While in Texas waters sales are limited to alcohol that was purchased in Texas.

 

They also started applying state duty on imported alcohol to cruisers, rates are low but beware if you like miniatures :eek:

http://www.tabc.state.tx.us/poe/tax_rates.asp

I know this. I was questioning the one I quoted. They said you have to agree to it. I've never sailed from Texas and was asking if it's SOP there.

 

 

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No, it isn't:D

One of the ports that we are stopping at is KeyWest Florida and was wondering if the 6% sales tax is applicable there?

O

One of the ports that we are stopping at is KeyWest Florida and was wondering if the 6% sales tax is applicable there?

 

 

Yes.

 

 

 

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Actually the Sky is different, because the open bar offer is included in the price of the cruise, for everyone. When you get a drink that is covered by this offer, they don't swipe your card, so they can't collect taxes. (I haven't been on the Sky so please correct if I'm wrong.)

 

If you order a drink that is not included, then you have to pay for it and I guess you will pay Florida or Bahamas tax (if the ship is in Floridian or Bahamian territorial waters).

 

I was on the Sky in August.

 

Short answer - unless you order something that isn't included, you will not be charged the sales tax. :D