It's Just Not Worth It

[#1PrincessFan]

With the Princess E-Z check program, the bags normally go straight to the airport, and you do not have to collect to go through customs. They had collected mine and had them in the special customs room waiting for me when I was escorted off.

[hmh60]

With the Princess E-Z check program, the bags normally go straight to the airport, and you do not have to collect to go through customs. They had collected mine and had them in the special customs room waiting for me when I was escorted off.

I have never seen anyone go through Customs without their luggage no matter what. Sometime passengers are picked at random to be checked. I know from airline experience that is the case and see that it could be that way on cruiselines also.

[#1PrincessFan]

According to Princess if you pay for this program, you do not see your bags from the time you place them outside the cabin until you arrive at your destination. However, in my case, I did see them again in the customs areas where they were selected to be searched (throughly, I mght add)

[Bowie MeMe]

This is the second time I have seen this comment on unmounted stones(I don't remember if yours was the first post I read). I'm not questioning the veracity of your statement, but how does this work?

 

Can you explain what makes unmounted stones different as far as customs is concerned? Why aren't they still considered a purchase made outside the US?

 

Just wondering.

 

It was explained to me in French Polynesia in regards to loose pearls and jewlery. Unmounted stones/pearls are not jewlery. The tax is on jewlery and the tax covers the gold mountings not the pearl. Probably similar in other countries. In addition big purchases (for example Turkish rugs) have an import tax added even if it is mailed to your home. Big Brother gets his share and gets cranky if you do not follow the rules. Not knowing the rules is no excuse.

 

Just in case the customs is not enough to worry about -- make sure you are not named in any warrants for arrest. The local police, FBI, etc. do check for outstanding warrants and escort you to a free vacation stay in jail until the matter is cleared up. Bail Bondsman, lawyers etc become your new best friends. Just warning you:eek:

[CindyH]

Trust me Canadians do not let any Jewellery store in the Islands tell you they will mail your receipt of purchase home in a self addressed envelope as you will get caught by Cdn Customs. Either the jeweller store person is ratting you out for a payback from customs or somehow they find out from your credit card purchase. I do not know exactly how this works but trust me Cdn. Customs will find out eventually. This I know for a fact and they can hold any return on your income tax until duties are paid. As a matter of fact they will come to your door for payment. Trust me don't lie declare what you have purchased and pay the price at that time. You can lie so many times and eventually you will get caught.

[caribill]

Apparently, large purchases off the ship are also now being reported to customs.

 

Reported by whom? Princess would not know of these purchases.

[caribill]

It was explained to me in French Polynesia in regards to loose pearls and jewlery. Unmounted stones/pearls are not jewlery. The tax is on jewlery and the tax covers the gold mountings not the pearl. Probably similar in other countries.

 

For US Customs, unmounted stones are not taxed no matter where purchased.

[caribill]

I assume the customs folks were checking anyone close to or over the limit to see there was more they could collect on.

 

Although this may be true, customs personnel would have no idea if you were close to the limit until you hand them your filled in form.

 

Certainly the Princess system when you leave the ship (which may sound an alarm if you have made large purchases onboard) has no idea what you have put on the form you will hand to customs and thus cannot signal out that you are close to the allowed limit.

[RickEk]

Reported by whom? Princess would not know of these purchases.

 

Depending on the store, they may report the purchase to the cruise line. I know in Cozumel, at the store that was located on the pier itself, they wanted to swipe our cruise card too... I'm assuming that was to report the purchase to the line...

[caribill]

Depending on the store, they may report the purchase to the cruise line. I know in Cozumel, at the store that was located on the pier itself, they wanted to swipe our cruise card too... I'm assuming that was to report the purchase to the line...

 

I do not think I would let any store off the ship see or swipe my cruise card.

[regnig]

I'm not about to hand mine over either BUT almost all the shops ask which ship you are on and that question I've always honestly answered.

[#1PrincessFan]

They always ask the ship name and your cabin number. I don't know what would happen if you refuse to provide the information. In fact, I asked the gentleman in St. Thomas why they asked the cabin number, and he said the cruise line requested the information.

[Colo Cruiser]

They always ask the ship name and your cabin number. I don't know what would happen if you refuse to provide the information. In fact, I asked the gentleman in St. Thomas why they asked the cabin number, and he said the cruise line requested the information.

 

I think its pretty much to see who's shopping in what stores from what ships, not to report purchases for customs.

[#1PrincessFan]

Well, that's what I used to think as well, but they are obviously sending some type of report now for customs now. I think it is reported back to Princess and Princess reports to customs.

[Crown Prince]

I do not think I would let any store off the ship see or swipe my cruise card.

 

I agree.

 

I would not either. It is Noneoftheir Business either what ship or which cabin I have.

 

To me, They are just another Vendor.

;);):eek:;);)

[Woobstr112G]

I do not think I would let any store off the ship see or swipe my cruise card.

 

Neither would I.....:):):)

 

Bob

[caribill]

I think its pretty much to see who's shopping in what stores from what ships, not to report purchases for customs.

 

The cruise lines get a kickback from many of the stores, so the stores want to know the ship you are from in order to know which cruiseline gets the kickback.

[jfv379]

According to Princess if you pay for this program, you do not see your bags from the time you place them outside the cabin until you arrive at your destination.

 

When we used the EZ Check program last year in San Juan, we had the porter collect our bags in the terminal and then he took us and the bags through Customs. Customs never asked any questions and passed us through. Then we never saw the bags again until our destination.

 

I think everyone has to accompany their bags through Customs.

[Colo Cruiser]

The cruise lines get a kickback from many of the stores, so the stores want to know the ship you are from in order to know which cruiseline gets the kickback.

 

Yes.

[BosoxI]

I have read many complaints that the cruise lines do not stand by their promise of supporting customers having problems with preferred shops. I have no idea if this is true, but assuming it is, why give the store any information? They either want the sale or they don't. Moreover, why give the ship any information if it's only going to help them get their kickback or worse, pass on information to the authorities. I believe in listing all purchases, as I don't want to be scrutinized forever more, but why draw attention unnecessarily?

[caribill]

I have read many complaints that the cruise lines do not stand by their promise of supporting customers having problems with preferred shops. I have no idea if this is true, but assuming it is, why give the store any information?

 

Even if the cruise line does stand by their promise, you do not have to tell the vendor anything about what ship you are from.

 

However, you may need to jump through hoops before disembraking from the ship to register the purchase.

[cruze610]

All this talk about paying "duty" makes me think. I know that there are limits to what you can buy like tobacco and alcohol (which I'm sure everyone that buys that stuff knows) But for other stuff like jewelry... Its interesting how Princess and all other lines encourage you to do all your shopping while on the ship or on the islands because its duty free. They neglect to tell everyone that its only duty free to a certain limit. That seems a little dishonest if you ask me. If there is a pax that is unaware of the customs dec. policy and spends a large sum of money on a say diamond ring for example, because they think saving the duty makes it an incredible deal only to find out during disembarkation that they now have to pay hundreds of dollars in duty. Thats just not right.

 

Let the duty free shoppers beware!

[2theship]

All this talk about paying "duty" makes me think. I know that there are limits to what you can buy like tobacco and alcohol (which I'm sure everyone that buys that stuff knows) But for other stuff like jewelry... Its interesting how Princess and all other lines encourage you to do all your shopping while on the ship or on the islands because its duty free. They neglect to tell everyone that its only duty free to a certain limit. That seems a little dishonest if you ask me. If there is a pax that is unaware of the customs dec. policy and spends a large sum of money on a say diamond ring for example, because they think saving the duty makes it an incredible deal only to find out during disembarkation that they now have to pay hundreds of dollars in duty. Thats just not right.

 

Let the duty free shoppers beware!

 

I 've always understood the term "duty-free" to refer to the fact that the SELLER has paid no duty on the item, and therefore can sell it at a lower "duty-free" price. Whether the BUYER pays any duty depends on a number of different factors, one of which is the total amount of duty-free merchandise the Buyer is bringing back into the USA.

[marne001]

Unset stones, cut or uncut are considered rocks, therefore, no duty (at least not yet).

 

When you buy goods outside of the US that were manufactured in the US, you are not required to pay tax again; therefore, the ship merchant stamps your receipt, "US goods returning".

 

My advice is carry cash and bargain OFF the ship. Throw away the box/bag and wear your trinket home. Not that I have EVER gone over the legal limit.

 

I simply do not find the cruise ship prices better than what I can get on shore.

[jfv379]

My advice is carry cash and bargain OFF the ship. Throw away the box/bag and wear your trinket home. Not that I have EVER gone over the legal limit.

 

The subject of this thread was "It's Just Not Worth It".

 

Why take the chance of getting caught doing what you suggest, paying a huge fine or just having Customs confiscate what you are trying to sneak through.

 

I'm sure it has worked for you, but don't lead the novice astray. It can be a very costly experience for them.