I had some issues a few years ago going to Japan. They put strict limitations on what you can bring with you. So now I always check before hand.

Thanks for the quick responses. Still 90+ days til we leave, I can’t wait!

Mike

Hi lesleil,

Basically, when people talk about the “duty free allowance” this refers to how much someone is allowed to bring into another country without having to pay duty on it. You asked about alcohol……..when traveling to the Cayman Islands, you are allowed to bring EITHER 1 liter of alchohol, OR 1 case of beer OR 4 liters of wine PER ADULT 18 years or older, without having to pay duty. We always advise people to take advantage of this because the cost of liquor in the Cayman Islands is very expensive.

However, if you buy the liquor at your local liquor store, it must be packed in your checked luggage. If you really want to bring alcohol on as carry-on, then you have to buy it at your airport, AFTER you pass through the security check point. Now, some airports (maybe most….not sure) have a “duty free” liquor store. This means that you might be able to find a bargain if you wait to buy your liquor there, but don’t let the “duty free” thing confuse you — it has nothing to do with “duty free” once you arrive in another country. It just means that it came into the US duty free so ends up costing you less to buy.

We always buy our liquor at our local liquor store and then pack it very carefully in our packed luggage, rather than trying to buy it at our airport and carrying it on.

Hope that helps…

Char

lesleil

Even though I’ve been going to Cayman for over 30 years, I don’t remember how much the liquor is-my husband is in charge of that-but I will tell you that we just pay whatever they charge and try not to worry about it too much.

I’m with you on not wanting to pack it in my luggage-although Char does it and doesn’t have any problems with it. I have so much other stuff that I want to bring that I don’t want to have to deal with packing liquor too.

Beer is pretty expensive there. But I can’t see bringing a case of it from the states. That would take up way too much room.

Use the coupons for the liquor stores in the Cayman Activity Guide to save a little….but if I remember correctly, it doesn’t apply to beer, just wine and liquor.

Shelly ?

Just find liquor bottled in plastic. I do that all the time. Once I foolishly packed two liters of tonic – don’t do that. Carbonated things explode :bouncelaugh:

Wellcome to the forum billco ? ,

As far as I know there is no restriction on how much you can bring in…….just that the first liter of alcohol is duty free. Anything above that is most likely subject to paying duty.

Char

The duty on liquor (like Makers Mark) is CI$10.50/liter.

Your OTC things don’t have to be new. I always carry aspirin and/or Tylenol in my purse. If all these things are going into your checked luggage there is no problem. The only caveat is in your carry-on. If you have items like mouthwash, toothpaste – they have to be 3 oz. or less and packed in a clear Ziploc quart size bag you can easily pull out and put in the bin.

As to clothes detergent, if you live near a Target – they have small bottles of Tide and one bottle will do four loads. They cost about $1.00. I never do laundry on vacation, but it’s a handy little bottle. Other places might sell it too, but Target is the only place I’ve ever seen it.

I would bring any prescription medicines with you on the plane as well as an extra pair of glasses if you need glasses.

Have a great time!

Thanks for all the info. I love this board it has made planning our trip so much easier so we can spend our time relaxing