*** The Galveston, Texas "Cruise Cam" Watch Group ***

[misty57]

Yes, there was an article about this in the Galveston paper earlier this week.

That doesn't make sense if you are not a resident of that state! Gee... I'm sure we pay enough tax when we stay in a hotel pre or post cruise, hire transportation, shop and eat!

[Cindy]

I heard something on the TV news Friday

night (I live in Houston) that either Galveston or Texas is going to start charging taxes on duty free things bought on the ships that come into Galveston.

 

Can they do that? Did I hear something wrong? Anyone else heard anything about that?

 

I know that when I bought alcohol in Mexico over the boarder into Texas I got charged a tax on it. I don't know if it was Texas or the Feds. But, as far as I can remember, it was just alcohol or tobacco and not other things.

 

I was probably watching Channel 2 since it was the 10:00 news and that is what I normally watch unless it is pre-empted by something. I haven't seen anything in the Chronicle or here on Cruise Critic.

 

Tucker in Texas

 

Sounds like a good way to bite the hand that feeds you and drive the ships elsewhere if you ask me!

[BecciBoo]

The real kicker is to find out which legislator sponsored this crap. Are you telling me now I can't even trust my own state legislators?

Who else is left?..........

oops sorry, is that a political statement....

[Galveston Cruiser]

The law has always been on the books. It is not new.

The TABC collects tax at border crossings, $5.4 million last year.

Starting Jan 1, 2014, they will collect at the port of Galveston and Houston.

They have the right to collect at all airports and entry points to the State.

 

See the Galveston County Daily News - Friday Sept. 27th

[Cindy]

The law has always been on the books. It is not new.

The TABC collects tax at border crossings, $5.4 million last year.

Starting Jan 1, 2014, they will collect at the port of Galveston and Houston.

They have the right to collect at all airports and entry points to the State.

 

See the Galveston County Daily News - Friday Sept. 27th

 

Thanks...I read the headline, but I couldn't see the whole story without a subscription.

I'm not sure what that will add to the cost for people, and since we don't bring back either cigarettes or booze it's kind of a non-issue for us, but it does seem like that defeats the purpose of something being duty-free.

[Galveston Cruiser]

Duty Free and State Tax are two different items. Duty is federally imposed on imports and is paid to the Federal government whereas state tax goes to the state.

Here is some of the taxes to be expected:

Liquor (5th) $3.50

Quart $3.75

1/2 gallon $4.25

gallon $5.50

 

Wine 750 ml $3.25

 

Cigarettes - carton $15.00

pack $ 1.50

[foxgoodrich]

It does apply to residents of Texas, but the Texas limits on alcohol importation are actually more generous than the US ones. Cigarette limits are the same. Anything above those limits will be subject to taxes/duty, both state/federal for Texas residents, and federal only for residents of other states.

 

Remember..."duty free" just means you're not paying any local, state, or federal taxes on an item at the moment you buy it. But Duty Free purchases are subject to limits. You still have to declare your purchases on a customs form at the end of your trip when you re-enter the US, and if you've gone beyond the limits of what you can bring back duty free, you will pay duty on the excess. Texas residents will also owe state tax and an admin fee if they exceed the limits for alcohol and cigarette purchases.

[Tucker in Texas]

Is it just on booze and cigs? Or is it, also, on other things bought in the ship's shops like watches and jewelry?

 

If I remember correctly (and at my age that is not a given), you had to pay tax on cigarettes and alcohol on any purchase bought in from Mexico at the duty free shop at the border--there were no "freebies."

 

What about out of state people? Same for them?

 

Tucker in Texas

[Galveston Cruiser]

Is it just on booze and cigs? Or is it, also, on other things bought in the ship's shops like watches and jewelry?

 

If I remember correctly (and at my age that is not a given), you had to pay tax on cigarettes and alcohol on any purchase bought in from Mexico at the duty free shop at the border--there were no "freebies."

 

What about out of state people? Same for them?

 

Tucker in Texas

 

This is only State tax (same as crossing the border from Mexico). Everything else falls under Federal tax (Duty) up to the certain amount allowed per person.

Not sure about out of State residents, but the State tax still only applies to liquor and cigs. Duty (Federal) is due at every port of entry of over the allowable amount.

Edited September 30, 2013 by Galveston Cruiser

[Tucker in Texas]

This is only State tax (same as crossing the border from Mexico). Everything else falls under Federal tax (Duty) up to the certain amount allowed per person.

Not sure about out of State residents, but the State tax still only applies to liquor and cigs. Duty (Federal) is due at every port of entry of over the allowable amount.

 

Thanks. I sorta remember in California that people would take their out of state guests down to Tijuana and have them "declare" things to avoid paying taxes on the duty free. But, that could have been just people in San Diego because you could only bring back things once every 30 days and they popped over the border all the time for things.

 

Would this apply to the ships coming into the "Port of Dreams" (Bayport), too?

 

Tucker in Texas

Edited September 30, 2013 by Tucker in Texas

[Galveston Cruiser]

Would this apply to the ships coming into the "Port of Dreams" (Bayport), too?

 

Tucker in Texas

 

Yes, both ports

[Tucker in Texas]

Yes, both ports

 

Wonder if the ship will share that information to the customers in the duty free shops (lol).

 

Tucker in Texas

[gone2c]

Here's a question. Cruising out of Galveston with late dining we never had a problem ordering a bottle of wine the first night. We got a big surprise when we had early dinner on a group trip and could not order wine because we had not yet reached that magic location where TX laws no longer ruled. Got to love our state. Does anyone know how long it will take to that magic spot when leaving from Houston. Exactly how late would one have to eat dinner to get a bottle of wine. :rolleyes:

[Galveston Cruiser]

Considering the time the ship sails and the extra hours going down the ship channel, I would venture to guess no wine before the late seating, if then.

FYI: the magic number is 12 miles offshore so take into consideration the ship channel from Bayport is 30 miles then an additional 12 off the coast. So you are looking at 4-5 hours.

According to Port of Houston information it is approximately 3 hours from Bayport to the 1st buoy at the ship channel.

Edited October 1, 2013 by Galveston Cruiser

[BillB48]

Here's a question. Cruising out of Galveston with late dining we never had a problem ordering a bottle of wine the first night. We got a big surprise when we had early dinner on a group trip and could not order wine because we had not yet reached that magic location where TX laws no longer ruled. Got to love our state. Does anyone know how long it will take to that magic spot when leaving from Houston. Exactly how late would one have to eat dinner to get a bottle of wine. :rolleyes:

 

I got bit by that on the Voyager leaving Galveston, but it was a bottle was from my wine package. They "offered" to sell me some wine from their wines that were blessed by Texas. We did have early dinner and we had not cleared the fine waters of Texas. PS I do love Texas... just not that little quirk!

[Galveston Cruiser]

I got bit by that on the Voyager leaving Galveston, but it was a bottle was from my wine package. They "offered" to sell me some wine from their wines that were blessed by Texas. We did have early dinner and we had not cleared the fine waters of Texas. PS I do love Texas... just not that little quirk!

 

It is not "Texas" waters but U.S., International seas are 12 miles out.

[klingoncruiser]

Hey guys! Good to see everyone is alive and well. :D Won't be long now.....

[Tucker in Texas]

Now that you can carry on wine, pour you a big glass in your cabin and take it to dinner with you (lol).

 

Tucker in Texas

[foxgoodrich]

Is it just on booze and cigs?

Yes - the TABC has authority to collect tax on booze and cigs brought into Texas from other countries by Texas residents.

 

Or is it, also, on other things bought in the ship's shops like watches and jewelry?

 

Watches and jewelry would not be taxed by the state of Texas. They are subject to US Customs limits on imported goods though. Currently the duty free limit is $800 per person, with the first $1000 in excess being taxed at a flat 3%. (for a couple that would mean $1600 duty free, then $2000 at 3%)

Beyond $1800 per person the duty percentage varies according to what the item is, with highest duty rates on clothing and textiles.

 

If I remember correctly (and at my age that is not a given), you had to pay tax on cigarettes and alcohol on any purchase bought in from Mexico at the duty free shop at the border--there were no "freebies."

Yeah, that's right - it's the same law. They just haven't been collecting from cruise ship passengers in the past. They're starting to do this in Jan 2014.

 

What about out of state people? Same for them?

No - not the same for out of state people, just Texas residents. (You know...no taxation without representation! Us folks from other states didn't vote on this or elect the people who enacted it.) Non Texas residents' booze and cig purchases would fall under the US Customs limitations and rates.

 

Tucker in Texas

 

On the wine package....they can serve from your wine package after they are outside of a 12 mile limit of the state of Texas. They will also open the Casino and shops at this time - seems like it's usually 30-45 minutes after sail away???

Since they mostly leave port around 5pm. only early dinner would be affected by the wine problem. By 6pm you should be able to access your wine package. We've never had a problem with this on many cruises out of Galveston, but we always do late dinner.

[gone2c]

Yes, but I was talking leaving Houston not Galveston. I think there will be a lot of surprised Princess and NCL sailors when they find out they cannot buy a bottle of wine with dinner the first night. I do think you can order an "approved" glass of wine at one of the bars and take it to the dining room with you, however.

[Tucker in Texas]

We always carry newbestfriends up to the airport. I'll trade them their out of state status to bring my things in for their free ride (lol).

 

Tucker in Texas

[cricketts]

There is an indoor parking lot on 25th street between Harborside and New Strand (directly across from them terminal and at the end of the crosswalk). The sign says "VIP", has some construction going on, and had cars parked in it on Sunday (10-13-13). This had been the location for BOI Valet (that we've used). The BOI website is not taking reservations, and I'm not getting an e-mail or phone response. Park N Cruise (that we've also used) doesn't know anything about them.

 

Does anyone know if this is new ownership / a new business name / or how to make a reservation?

 

Thanks!

[ssb]

There is an indoor parking lot on 25th street between Harborside and New Strand (directly across from them terminal and at the end of the crosswalk). The sign says "VIP", has some construction going on, and had cars parked in it on Sunday (10-13-13). This had been the location for BOI Valet (that we've used). The BOI website is not taking reservations, and I'm not getting an e-mail or phone response. Park N Cruise (that we've also used) doesn't know anything about them.

 

Does anyone know if this is new ownership / a new business name / or how to make a reservation?

 

Thanks!

 

I called park and cruise about the same sign and same issue.

They told me the same.

I will try to sort out.

[cricketts]

I called park and cruise about the same sign and same issue.

They told me the same.

I will try to sort out.

I wish you luck and will anxiously await a post :)

Thank you!

[Texas Teen]

The NASCAR season just ended, so I've been thinking about this winter. I just checked the schedule, and Navigator's arrival is next Sunday. Perfect timing!

 

My original plan last year was to start a new thread before this season starts to keep from approaching the thread post limit, but this thread hasn't even reached 1/5 of the 5,000 post limit, so I will keep this thread going.