I am taking a trip with a major commercial airline from here in the US and A to the British Virgin Islands in a few months to be with some friends down there. I am thinking of flying with my VinGardeValise 12 bottle suitcase stuffed full of wine to share with everyone while there.
Should I anticipate any issues getting this through to the BVI given it is an international destination? I don’t want to be locked up in a foreign country, don’t want to owe said country a bunch of money for a legal mishap, and certainly would not want the wine to be confiscated or destroyed by someone either here in the states or over there for some illegal attempt to transport it across international lines.
Hopefully I can get the wine there in peace (and in one piece, for that matter) and enjoy with friends. Any advice or thoughts?
A quick google suggests to me that you need to declare it and will be charged duty and that the duty is ~US$1-2 per bottle above your duty-free limit which is 2 litres of wine.
I took a 12 pack in a wine check and strolled right through in Roadtown customs. I said it was cheap wine.
I often fly with a case of wine from NYC, Paris or London back to Israel and in between those locations. I simply declare anything in excess of the duty free allowance and pay whatever is due. I arrive with a typed list of the wine and value to make everyone’s life easier. The customs people appreciate it and I cannot remember a single time when they did not look for a way to reduce the cost.
Why would you even consider doing something that would put you on the wrong side of the authorities?
For what it’s worth, I don’t have a dedicated ‘wine case’. I just make sure each bottle is wrapped in bubble wrap and there is no movement in the case, seal with tape and make sure it sits in the middle of a suitcase with clothes or other items padding on all sides. Haven’t lost a bottle.
I think your biggest worry is the wine getting damaged by heat while it sits on the tarmac. Especially if you have a connection.
B.
