Good question

Have mailed them to friends up there. No problem. What is the concern?

I also was wondering about that, my concern would be how many cartons at a time can you mail back? Being a smoker I would like to mail some back home to myself while there, dont know the prices of cigarettes in the USVI right now, but here in Florida, the prices for a carton range anywhere from $25 -$40. Would love to stock up while there and put them in my freezer at home. Is there a limit or any problems mailing them back?
Thank-you Pamela,
Linda

Well, I lie ... ooops. Put them in a flat rate Priority Mail Box, fudge on the customs declaration - contents are "island crafts" and take to the nearest mail facility. Cost - $3.85. As a matter of fact, I don't know that there would be a problem mailng them and telling the truth as you are allowed to mail gifts home up to, I believe, $100 a day. Most cigs are around $17 - $20 a carton here. That's a lot of gifts per day.
Pamela

Thank-you so much Pamela that's what I needed to know!

And here's a caveat for anyone that is byng them on-line:

A friend of mine in Michigan was buying them on-line for a long time to save money...and then she got hit with an $8,000 tax bill from the State! Aparently the State can find out if you haven't paid the tax on them and they want their money! Caveat emptor!

I'm from Michigan and heard the same story, that's why I want to buy them on island and mail them home.

I also have a friend that got chaged $7,000 taxes on the cig. she bought online. We are also from Michigan. I never thought about buying when were there and sending home by mail. I usually just bring the 10 cartons that are allowed, but I will mail some next yr. when we come. Thanks for bringing it up.

All I can say is holy cr@#!?

a guy i work with used to mail them to his wife, but has stopped. apparently there is some rule that does not allow you to legally mail cigs back to the states. i'm not a smoker, nor do i mail them to people... so i don't know all the rules. i just remember him telling me about a month ago that he couldn't mail them any more. i'll try and find out more info on it, but i'm going on vacation TO THE STATES on tuesday. might not get the info for about 2 weeks. will let you know.

-adam

If we get charged the tax, then we just break even.

Pamela: I usually have great respect for your posts. I don't feel that telling folks to "fudge" on a Customs declaration is sage advice. Just my very humble opinion.

We sell cigarettes where I work. It is my understanding that you can take back 5 cartons per person. This is one of the duty free items and all duty free items must be carried back to the U.S. You can go over the limit and pay a customs duty but they are not suppose to be sent through the mail. I know people who have sent duty free things through the mail, some make it and some don't.

Thank you Enlightened Man, you are enlightening. Mail at your own risk is what you are saying.

I know - I know ... they asked how I did it and I told them. It is not a good idea. It is illegal to lie on your customs declaration form. My bad. Sorry.

See, I knew that was what you really thought! 😉

Thanks Gaston, I'll be waiting for your reply.

I forgive you Pamela.

I saw someone buying them up in bulk too while on the islands last year....a couple from Michgan!

We are NON smokers....but ALL of our family are smokers...even my first 3 outta 4 children. But the love I have for my family I wouldn't even think of bringing them back any cancer sticks!! Well maybe I'll bring some back for the daughters boyfriend that I dis-like greatly!!!!