Duty Free alcohol USA

[saw71]

Would it be cheaper to buy your alcohol from a walmart and costco and put it in your checked luggage than buying from duty free shops either in the USA or when arriving in Australia?

 

[horseman]

Yes.......

 

[k_sheep]

I second yes.

Mr k_sheep had 6x 700ml bottles in his checked luggage from a drug store, lots of shirts to protect them, and not a lot else.

 

[saw71]

Isn't it risky bringing in 6 bottles through customs?

 

[k_sheep]

Isn't it risky bringing in 6 bottles through customs?

Not at all - the limit is 2.25L per person. Sorry, should've mentioned we were both travelling, so it was pooled.

Also, it was delicious

 

[harvyk]

Isn't it risky bringing in 6 bottles through customs?

Not if you pay duty on it

 

[birdsville]

Not if you pay duty on it

If you buy in the states, and declare it, what is the duty on alcohol at customs?

 

[bass_ke]

The duty rate is somewhere between $70 and $80 aud per litre of alcohol.

All depends on the strength of ye grog!

 

[UP4014]

Yes, I always find it cheaper to buy at a regular suburban liquor store than at the duty free.

I think I got a litre of Jim Beam whisky (can't remember the brand now, JB or JD) on special for around $26 at a Walgreens.

But if you're in a hurry can always get it at the servo when you fill up the rental car before dropping it back.
M

 

[N860CR]

God bless America

 

[drewbles]

God bless America

God Bless BevMo

 

[serfty]

The duty rate is somewhere between $70 and $80 aud per litre of alcohol.

All depends on the strength of ye grog!

It's currently $76.37 per litre of alcohol (Schedule - (1 July 2013)).

So the duty on one lite of liquour at 40% alcohol is $76.37 * 40% (=$30.55) + GST.

GST is 10% of the $30.55 ($3.06) + 10% of the purchase price. (If it was BAM1748's Bourbon from Walgreens at USD26, convert that to AUD28.40, so $2.84)

So total excise on a litre of such Bourbon is $36.45.

Bring in two bottles and pay no duty on it (under the 2¼ litre limit).

Bring in three bottles and pay $109.35.

Beer is more interesting: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....eer-import-in-australia-24242.html#post339189

 

[blackcat20]

It's currently $76.37 per litre of alcohol (Schedule - (1 July 2013)).

So the duty on one lite of liquour at 40% alcohol is $76.37 * 40% (=$30.55) + GST.

GST is 10% of the $30.55 ($3.06) + 10% of the purchase price. (If it was BAM1748's Bourbon from Walgreens at USD26, convert that to AUD28.40, so $2.84)

So total excise on a litre of such Bourbon is $36.45.

Bring in two bottles and pay no duty on it (under the 2¼ litre limit).

Bring in three bottles and pay $109.35.

Beer is more interesting: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....eer-import-in-australia-24242.html#post339189

Or bring in three bottles, play dumb, and pay nothing wouldn't recommend it though.

 

[harvyk]

Or bring in three bottles, play dumb, and pay nothing wouldn't recommend it though.

Now that's a good way to end up with no booze and a very deep hole in the wallet where money used to be.

 

[blackcat20]

Now that's a good way to end up with no booze and a very deep hole in the wallet where money used to be.

Well, I got to keep the booze, and my wallet. I think I got lucky (I did declare what I had. I made a miscalculation and they were very nice about it).

 

[harvyk]

Well, I got to keep the booze, and my wallet. I think I got lucky (I did declare what I had. I made a miscalculation and they were very nice about it).

Yeah, a miscalculation is going to be looked upon more favorably than simply trying to run the gauntlet.

 

[serfty]

Yeah, a miscalculation is going to be looked upon more favorably than simply trying to run the gauntlet.

Even if you miscalculate and get pinged you still get to keep the booze after paying the Excise & GST.

 

[harvyk]

Even if you miscalculate and get pinged you still get to keep the booze after paying the Excise & GST.

What about in the event of trying to smuggle full stop? IE no attempt to declare the amount over the limit and you have an amount which you should know that you are over the limit?

 

[serfty]

What about in the event of trying to smuggle full stop? ...

That would not be to 'miscalculate' - it would be very much a deliberate calculation (of risk) ... not worth it IMHO.

See my link to Beer ...

 

[blackcat20]

That would not be to 'miscalculate' - it would be very much a deliberate calculation (of risk) ... not worth it IMHO.

See my link to Beer ...

Definitely not. And to be extra clear, I didn't intentionally bring back too much. It was only sometime mid-flight that I realised I'd stuffed up. I made up for it last trip by bringing back zero duty free (also not intentionally, consecutive flight delays meant no time for shopping).