Duty-Free & U.S. Customs
Know your allowance before you shop.
Find a Cruise With Great Shopping PortsThe words “duty-free” on a shop window are about the country you are in. What matters when you get home is U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Here are the basics, taken from CBP’s own guidance as of October 2026 — always check the current pages before you travel.
What “Duty-Free” Really Means
A duty-free shop sells goods without the local taxes or import duties of the country it is in. CBP is clear that goods bought in a duty-free shop are not automatically free of U.S. duty when you return. They count toward your personal exemption like anything else you buy on the trip.
Your Personal Exemption
| Where you are returning from | Duty-free exemption per person | Alcohol within the exemption |
|---|---|---|
| Most countries, including the Caribbean Basin countries CBP lists | $800 | Two liters if one was produced in a listed Caribbean Basin or Andean country |
| U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa or Guam | $1,600 | Up to five liters, if at least four were bought there and one is a product of that territory |
| Short trips or a second trip within 30 days | $200 | 150 ml of alcohol, 50 cigarettes and 10 cigars |
Source: CBP’s exemptions page. CBP lists the Bahamas, Jamaica, Aruba, Barbados, the Dominican Republic, Grenada, St. Lucia and many other Caribbean nations among the eligible Caribbean Basin countries; it notes that Anguilla, the Cayman Islands, Guadeloupe, Martinique and Turks and Caicos do not count for the alcohol allowance.
Cruise-Specific Points
- CBP says only one liter of alcohol bought in a ship’s duty-free shop qualifies for duty-free entry, or two if one bottle is the product of an eligible Caribbean Basin country.
- The full exemption needs an overseas stay of at least 48 hours, but that limit does not apply when returning from Mexico or the U.S. Virgin Islands.
- You cannot use the full exemption if you have already used any part of it in the previous 30 days.
- Gifts you bring back count toward your exemption.
- If in doubt, CBP’s advice is simple: declare it. Undeclared items can be forfeited.
Restricted and Prohibited Items
Some purchases are limited or banned outright, whatever their value: products from endangered wildlife, many fresh foods and plants, counterfeit goods, and certain items from sanctioned countries. CBP points travelers to the U.S. Treasury’s Cuba sanctions guidance for rules on Cuban goods. Read CBP’s page on what to expect when you return before you shop, and see our crafts and markets page for wildlife souvenirs to avoid.
Duty-Free & Customs FAQ
Does the 48-hour rule apply to cruises?
CBP says the full exemption applies after an overseas stay of at least 48 hours, but that time limit does not apply if you are returning from Mexico or the U.S. Virgin Islands. If you do not qualify, a smaller $200 exemption may apply instead.
Can my family combine our exemptions?
For the $800 and $1,600 exemptions, family members traveling together can generally make a joint declaration. CBP notes that the smaller $200 exemption cannot be combined between family members.
Is art duty-free?
CBP gives the example that fine art is duty-free, so an original painting does not use up your exemption. Prints, crafts and decorative items are treated differently; ask CBP if you are unsure.
Plan a Shopping-Friendly Itinerary
Want a Caribbean cruise that calls at St. Thomas or other favorite shopping ports? Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will find the right sailing.
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