Is there still a tax on alcohol in Spanish ports?

[stephpodge]

Just back off the Spirit Barcelona to Barcelona 10% tax on all drinks (we had the UBP as a perk) in Spanish waters. The tax is on the cost of the drink on the menu so about $1 per glass of wine.

 

Because of the route, which followed the coast quite a bit, it was often three or four hours after all aboard time before the tax stopped.

 

PACKING TIP take extra empty water bottles and make sure they are filled with beverage of choice whilst in international; Portuguese, or Moroccan waters so you have a stash for sail away.

 

It's important to stipulate, tax is added when in waters that are 12 nautical miles away from spanish land. Not when in spanish seas. Once out at sea, no tax at all. This is why casinos and shops open on all cruises, once at sea.

[Smurf2017]

It's important to stipulate, tax is added when in waters that are 12 nautical miles away from spanish land. Not when in spanish seas. Once out at sea, no tax at all. This is why casinos and shops open on all cruises, once at sea.

 

Are you sure about that? My understanding was that the tax is charged during the entire cruise unless the ship docked at a non EU VAT Area port such as Gibraltar, Morocco, etc.

[KeithJenner]

Are you sure about that? My understanding was that the tax is charged during the entire cruise unless the ship docked at a non EU VAT Area port such as Gibraltar, Morocco, etc.

 

 

 

That is correct, but people are talking about the Spirit lately, which does visit a non EU port.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Smurf2017]

That is correct, but people are talking about the Spirit lately, which does visit a non EU port.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Thanks Keith. I understand now.

[jaapie]

It's not just entering/leaving Spanish ports that tax will be charged, but also if sailing close to land. When we sailed on the Jade from Alicante to Barcelona, there is a strip of land north of Benidorm that juts into the Med, and we were charged the tax for about an hour and a half while sailing in that area.