Bringing alcohol in RV to Mex.

Talleyho69 wrote:
We also come and go through Lukeville. They rarely enter us, but always ask about alcohol.
Declaring it on your way in doesn't help. You can take your chances, or just plan in advance how much to take with you. The law is the law, whether it is is enforced or not. They have the ability to make you dump anything over 1 liter each adult, and fine you for it. Does it happen? Yup. Will it happen to you? Who knows?
It seems to make a difference if you have a "history" with your license plate crossing the border. Once you get found in violation once, it seems like you get checked every time. If you have a history of clean crossings, you seem to skate through. Just my humble opinion.

That about sums it up.

They normally ask if you have anything to declare. That covers everything. It is all inclusive. The law requires you to declare everything even if not asked. There is NO excuse!

If you do not declare it & they do not find it, off you go. If they do find it you are guilty and are at their mercy. They will probably just confiscate it but they have the option of citing you if they so choose.

If you do declare it they will take it and in my experience will require you to leave your cellphone and wallet in the vehicle, put you in a locked holding room and inspect your vehicle(s). I have had that pleasure several times; the last time I had hard boiled eggs which are normally permitted but for some reason not that day. When they finish, assuming they didn't find anything else they release you and send you on your way. It just adds to the mystique of international travel. :E

We also come and go through Lukeville. They rarely enter us, but always ask about alcohol.
Declaring it on your way in doesn't help. You can take your chances, or just plan in advance how much to take with you. The law is the law, whether it is is enforced or not. They have the ability to make you dump anything over 1 liter each adult, and fine you for it. Does it happen? Yup. Will it happen to you? Who knows?
It seems to make a difference if you have a "history" with your license plate crossing the border. Once you get found in violation once, it seems like you get checked every time. If you have a history of clean crossings, you seem to skate through. Just my humble opinion.

Crossed at Lukeville in our Rv for the last 10 years. Coming back into the US no one ever asked, let alone looked for alcohol. That was our experience and we were stopped and spoken to every time .

We will be traveling from CA and crossing at Lukevill (sp) We will not be buying any booze in Mexico. Just don't want to have to dump everything upon returning to the US since some of us are full timers and this is our home. We are in an RV. I have no problem declaring it when we enter. Will that help ?

From what country, to what state, via what carrier? Are you declaring it, or taking a chance on them finding it?
I believe the discussion was about returning to the US by land.

werwin48 wrote:
This is not true... looking at Website U.S. Customs and Border Protection..

Generally, one liter of alcohol per person may be entered into the U.S. duty-free by travelers who are 21 or older, although travelers coming from the U.S. Virgin Islands or other Caribbean countries are entitled to more. Additional quantities may be entered, although they will be subject to duty and Federal excise taxes, which will be assessed and collected at the port of entry.

Click here to see for yourself.

How much you can import without paying duty is quite a different subject. We bring back about 6 bottles of liquor each, every spring. Only once were we charged a fee.

Remember that the limit, whatever it is, is for a 30 day period. We got popped once, years ago. We drove across, declared our 1 liter each, then parked on the US side, walked back to Mexico, bought another liter each, and walked back to the US. We had the same woman both times-she was covering lunches, she remembered us, and made us go back to Mexico, return the booze, and produce the receipt when we returned.
What are the odds of that happening??

It also can vary by state and state of residence. I know Texas residents can bring back less duty free into Texas than can non-Texas residents.

At least this was true through last year-- have not checked this year.

This is not true... looking at Website U.S. Customs and Border Protection..

Generally, one liter of alcohol per person may be entered into the U.S. duty-free by travelers who are 21 or older, although travelers coming from the U.S. Virgin Islands or other Caribbean countries are entitled to more. Additional quantities may be entered, although they will be subject to duty and Federal excise taxes, which will be assessed and collected at the port of entry.

MickeyBrennan wrote:

powderman426 wrote:
I don't know where Mickey of that info and it may be correct, but I am concerned when they don't know how to spell tobacco. Just an observation.

From the US Customs website

There is no federal limit on the amount of alcohol a traveler may import into the U.S. for personal use, however, large quantities might raise the suspicion that the importation is for commercial purposes, and a CBP officer could require the importer to obtain an Alcohol and Tabacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) import license (which is required for all commercial importations) before releasing it. A general rule of thumb is that 1 case of alcohol is a personal use quantity - although travelers are still subject to state restrictions which may allow less.

^ Uh, It's from the US Customs website.