USVI-On-Line

Hi,

I am a longtime lurker and have received many valuable tips and advice. Much appreciated!

I tried to do a search for this particular item, and apologize if it has been mentioned before.

My question is when returning home, would one get charged for "checked luggage" for a box of 6 bottles of liquor? I have been looking on the USAirways site but no mention of this topic.

We tend to buy our liquor at K-Mart(good prices) and they offer carry on boxes for the booze. I know that the airport now has two liquor stores(one outside and one inside), but it appeared the prices were significantly higher.

I appreciate the help in advance.

we have been able to carry it on to USAir but we got it inside the terminal. don't know about the charge if you check it.

If you buy it outside the secure section of the terminal (Kmart or wherever) I'd think you'd have to check it (since it's a liquid) and it would cost you like anything else you have to check now. If you buy it inside than you've already gone through security and you can carry it on assuming that you're not carrying on too many other things (with all the newer restrictions now). I don't have experience specifically with STT on this but for example in San Juan in the duty free they give you the liquor in secure bags-if for some reason you have a connection that you had to go through security again at another airport they told us we'd have to check it there.

All the major airlines (including Spirit) allow you one checked box of liquor free out of St. Thomas.

You can check a box in and then buy more inside the sterile zone in the terminal. You carry on the liquor you buy inside the terminal. Keep in mind that carry on space is often tight on planes nowadays.

Nice part about buying from liquor store by baggage claim is that they are well versed in packaging your bottles safely. They don't just toss them in a six pack box, they actually wrap the bottles and pad the box. I usually tip them 5 bucks if they do a good job.

Thanks for the replies.

Wow, didn't realize that the airlines wouldn't charge for the checked liquor-that's great to know. Thanks!

And get a porter at the airport...worth a tip for them to handle it all right through customs