Taxes

[KattyPoo]

Do you have to pay taxes on liquor you purchase when returing to Galveston port....have been told that Galveston port charges tax on liquor that you have purchased to bring off the ship

[KattyPoo]

First time cruising out of Galveston...Is it different from other ports

[PenguinLife]

Apparently the law has been on the books for a long time and previously was only enforced at land border crossing points, but Texas decided to start enforcing it for cruise travel also about a year ago.

[1025cruise]

Yes, Texas has a law that allows them to charge tax on liquor brought into the state.

[hawk1972]

Yes, you are supposed to pay tax on liquor you bring off the ship. Last January it was $3.75 per bottle.

[dioxide45]

There was a TABC (Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission) letter and form in our stateroom toward the end of our cruise from Galveston. It listed all the taxes to be paid on alcohol and tobacco when returning bringing it back in to Texas. They were out in force after passing through customs identifying people carrying duty free boxes and directing them to the cashier windows to pay. I have seen it reported that people just place it in their rolling bag and go through without paying. Not advocating this, just saw it mentioned here. I am sure many people did it on our cruise. I am sure there were some other unsuspecting people carrying duty free boxes that didn't read that letter we got and ended up paying the taxes.

[PenguinLife]

The danger in doing as mentioned and packing it in your bag is the potential of thousands of dollars of fines and potential jail time.

[dioxide45]

The danger in doing as mentioned and packing it in your bag is the potential of thousands of dollars of fines and potential jail time.

 

Good point, though there were no searches going on and no xray.

[spookwife]

Do you have to pay taxes on liquor you purchase when returing to Galveston port....have been told that Galveston port charges tax on liquor that you have purchased to bring off the ship

 

yes. even if you are not a TX resident. and it applies to all bottles regardless of where it was purchased.

 

we get better prices on base so have never purchased any so have no idea what the actual tax rate is

 

That being said: all they have is a single person casually asking people to go over to the table. I honestly forget if this was before or after Customs.

[dioxide45]

yes. even if you are not a TX resident. and it applies to all bottles regardless of where it was purchased.

 

we get better prices on base so have never purchased any so have no idea what the actual tax rate is

 

That being said: all they have is a single person casually asking people to go over to the table. I honestly forget if this was before or after Customs.

 

It is after customs, right before you exit the terminal. At least in terminal 1.

[Pops, Esq.]

Tax Rates per TABC website:

 

(rates include $ 3.00 administrative fees)

 

Distilled Spirits

Miniatures (2 oz. or less) (50 ml or less) $ 3.25

Half Pint (200 ml) 3.25

Pint (500 ml) 3.50

Fifth (750 ml) 3.50

Quart (1 ltr) 3.75

1/2 Gallon (1.75 ltr) 4.25

1 Gallon (3.5 ltr) 5.50

 

Beer

6 12-ounce containers $ 3.25

24 12-ounce containers 3.50

Malt Liquor

24 12-ounce containers $ 3.50

 

Wine

Fifth (750 ml) $ 3.25

 

I believe the limit on liquor is one gallon per person.

[munchkin4]

Tax Rates per TABC website:

 

(rates include $ 3.00 administrative fees)

 

Distilled Spirits

Miniatures (2 oz. or less) (50 ml or less) $ 3.25

Half Pint (200 ml) 3.25

Pint (500 ml) 3.50

Fifth (750 ml) 3.50

Quart (1 ltr) 3.75

1/2 Gallon (1.75 ltr) 4.25

1 Gallon (3.5 ltr) 5.50

 

Beer

6 12-ounce containers $ 3.25

24 12-ounce containers 3.50

Malt Liquor

24 12-ounce containers $ 3.50

 

Wine

Fifth (750 ml) $ 3.25

 

I believe the limit on liquor is one gallon per person.

 

That still makes my bottle of Amarula cheaper than what I can buy if for in the states. Will probably still purchase on board.

[dioxide45]

Tax Rates per TABC website:

 

(rates include $ 3.00 administrative fees)

 

Distilled Spirits

Miniatures (2 oz. or less) (50 ml or less) $ 3.25

Half Pint (200 ml) 3.25

Pint (500 ml) 3.50

Fifth (750 ml) 3.50

Quart (1 ltr) 3.75

1/2 Gallon (1.75 ltr) 4.25

1 Gallon (3.5 ltr) 5.50

 

Beer

6 12-ounce containers $ 3.25

24 12-ounce containers 3.50

Malt Liquor

24 12-ounce containers $ 3.50

 

Wine

Fifth (750 ml) $ 3.25

 

I believe the limit on liquor is one gallon per person.

 

If it wasn't for the administrative fee, the taxes aren't that bad. It would be better if the administrative fee was per person instead of per bottle.