Taking Beer into the Abacos

[AHollander]

Hello all,
We are chartering out of Marsh Harbor in April and I have been researching the alcohol situation and was hoping someone could help me better understand the immigration rules. On the Bahamas website it states...
"Each adult visitor is allowed to bring 50 cigars, 200 cigarettes or one pound of tobacco, one quart of spirits and a variety of personal effects (personal radio headsets, bicycle, two still cameras, etc.). All beer imported into the country is dutiable at a rate of $10 per imperial gallon or $18 per case. Purchases up to a value of $100 are permitted by all arriving passengers."

I understand from reading other posts that hard liquor in the Bahamas is actually reasonbly priced but beer is rediculous. So my question is does the $100 "purchases" mentioned above count for beer or no matter what, I have to pay $18/case tax for any beer I bring into the country.

Second question is that I have never flown with beer so does anyone know if that is something homeland security would confiscate if it was in a checked bag vs. carry-on?

Thanks,
AH

[clifford sloan]

As you are flying into M H I assume your comming from Ft. Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, or Miami. Unless you are drinking a huge amount of beer on vacation it is earnestly recommended you acquaint yourself with Kalik Gold. The store for purchasing same is a short walk from the charter base. Beer does'nt travel well in the tropics and sudden temperature changes can cause serious leakage in travel. You won't be flying that high or that long if you buy it in Florida but the flavor will be pretty well ruined by the second or third day of your charter. Bahamians pay no income tax so the government derives its income from import duties and other charges to visitors. Enjoy the great diving, snorkeling, and sailing!
All the best,
Clif

[GordMay]

What Clif said!

[Khagan1227]

Besides, Kalik is a pretty good beer!

[Auspicious]

In addition to Clif's points, what importation regulations are you looking at? If US, you should look instead at Bahamian requirements.

Flying beer in seems impractical to me.

[JayH]

Just to add a data point, Stella Artois bottles are $49/case in Marsh Harbour (as of November, at the big store near Union Dock). $18 duty per case would make it about the same price I could get it in the States. Not worth it IMO.

[CharterExpert]

I agree with previous posters - it's not worth it to bring your own beer. Before you leave Marsh Harbour, stock up on cases of beer. I remember that a case would usually run you about $1 per beer, which isn't horrible. Also consider Kalik Gold, which is 7% and tastes great - the normal Kalik is 5%. Beer prices aren't horrible at the grocery store, but a beer at a bar will cost you upwards of $5-6.

Or you could get into making painkillers, and buy a large jug of cheap rum for the same price as 4 beers...

In case you decide to bring beer anyways, I've flown with beer many times; it is okay and DHS will not confiscate it.

[Vasco]

If flying don't bother taking beer, especially for a week or two. It's about $30 a case. Kalik is good. Better still switch to rum, $9 a liter, good dark rum.