You can check liquor and perfume - no problem. TSA will not confiscate it.

You may bring back 6 bottles per person - and I think 1 must be a "made in the VI" brand. Otherwise, it is 5 bottles per person - I think. Someone else will confirm.

Not sure about locks. I know that locks must be TSA approved so that they can use their "master key" to open your suitcase.

Puerto Rico has been the "black hole" for luggage for as long as I can recall. If you have to connect through PR, I would NOT check anything - at all costs.

If you have to return through PR, and you plan to check your luggage, I wouldn't spend a dime on perfume to pack in the luggage.

Your allowed 6 bottles "Duty Free" per person as long as one is a VI product, any over 6 will be charged duty. A few years ago we brought back 18 bottles and was charged around $11or $12 for the extra, still a good deal.

Great, my stopover is in PR! So I guess if there is any thing I treasure I better carry it on, sad.....

We have a layover in San Juan. What should we do with our liquor? We can't carry it on!!!!

Last year we had a layover in San Juan, around 2 hrs., we checked our two boxes of liquor (well taped) and our luggage, using TSA locks and had no problem what so ever. If you do not have the TSA locks be sure to get some, it's the best way to secure you items.

Last time I had to stop in Puerto Rico, my one piece of luggage was so ransacked with the locks broken, it was duct taped together to keep it closed before it was put on my other flight. Since then,I decided to pay extra to avoid that stop. What a shame that happen

sleeper18,

WOW, did you have TSA locks or the regular luggage locks?

Just came back to MI last week Thursday from St. Thomas via San Juan. We took back 5 bottles. They will give you a box to send them back in and pack them in bubble wrap - if you ask. (Just a tip if you go to the K-Mart, that is located just east of Havensite mall, they have the Cruzan Rum (VI Rum) in all flavors for just $2.96 a bottle! I saw this rum else where, like at the duty free shops in the airport, for $9.00 a bottle.) I had to get several for our room at the Marriott (drinks are $9.00 a piece at the pool) and pack up the rest to bring home. Just a little side note. We had 2 bottles that I picked up somewhere else and they did not have bubble wrap on them. I stuffed in some towels and some empty plastic bags around those but those bag launching airline dudes broke 2 of the bottles. When we went to retrieve our luggage our nicely pack box was now wrapped in a plastic bag and the soggy bottom was giving out. But for $2.96 we still saved money and I get a big smile when I poor some of that coconut rum in my punch ;o)

Well, thanks to this info, I ordered 2 TSA locks (in a pretty bright yellow). I had always just left my luggage unlocked before, rather than risk them tearing up my luggage to get in it. but, not any more. I got the 4-dial combination locks.

Our luggage will be picked thru in San Juan? or lost Is this real? There are 6 of us going so 6 suitcases.. this isnt looking good....We land in SJ at 2:05 and fly to St Thomas at 4:00 will this be ok??
Also what are these Locks you are talking about and where do we get them?

CherokeeAngel,

We've flown through San Juan a number of time and have had no problems.

You can buy TSA lock at just about any store that sells luggage or buy on line. The lock is usually a brights color, lime green, green, red, et. and only TSA agents are supposed have a master key in order to inspect your luggage, we've had our luggage opened and inspected in the past but TSA puts a letter inside letting you know they inspected.

cherekeeangle - here's where I bought mine...

http://www.safeskieslocks.com/store/4-dial-heavy-duty-luggage-locks-c-2.html

Ship it........That's what i am going to do......

With my experience, I won't bother with luggage locks anymore. Apparently that just tells the baggage handlers that there is something valuable inside. TWICE my luggage has been broken into at the Miami airport--and BOTH times I had locked it. They simply tore the zippers open (on more than one compartment of the bag). Since those unfortunate experiences, I leave all luggage unlocked now. Haven't had a problem since.

That's my luck, at least.

well I think the idea behind the TSA locks is they (the TSA agents) CAN unlock them with their master key, but not just anyone. Hopefully, those agents will be the only ones looking in them.