Our Blog
BANNISTER TRAVEL BLOG
ACCORDING TO HOMELAND SECURITY
Duty-Free Exemption Joint Declaration Children and infants are allowed the same exemption as adults, except for alcoholic beverages and tobacco products.
(08/21/2009)
The duty-free exemption, also called the personal exemption, is the total value of merchandise you may bring back to the United States without having to pay duty. You may bring back more than your exemption, but you will have to pay duty on it. In most cases, the personal exemption is $800, but there are some exceptions to this rule, which are explained below.
Family members who live in the same home and return together to the United States may combine their personal exemptions. This is called a joint declaration. For example, if Mr. and Mrs. Smith travel overseas and Mrs. Smith brings home a $1,000 piece of glassware, and Mr. Smith buys $600 worth of clothing, they can combine their individual $800 exemptions on a joint declaration and not have to pay duty.
Don't forget that the best way to travel is to contact your professional travel consultant before you make your plans so that you can be aware of all of the changes that are coming your way. Our agents are constantly in training to keep up with the industry trends, so call us today.
Patricia Bannister, owner of Bannister Travel
Exemptions
Depending on the countries you have visited, your personal exemption will be $200, $800, or $1,600. There are limits on the amount of alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, cigars, and other tobacco products you may include in your duty-free personal exemption. The differences are explained in the following section.
The duty-free exemptions ($200, $800, or $1,600) apply if:
- The items are for your personal or household use or intended to be given as gifts.
- They are in your possession, that is, they accompany you when you return to the United States. Items to be sent later may not be included in your $800 duty-free exemption. (Exceptions apply for goods sent from Guam or the U.S. Virgin Islands.)
- They are declared to CBP. If you do not declare something that should have been declared, you risk forfeiting it. If in doubt, declare it.
- You are returning from an overseas stay of at least 48 hours. For example, if you leave the United States at 1:30 p.m. on June 1, you would complete the 48-hour period at 1:30 p.m. on June 3. This time limit does not apply if you are returning from Mexico or from the U.S. Virgin Islands.
- You have not used all of your exemption allowance, or used any part of it, in the past 30 days. For example, if you go to England and bring back $150 worth of items, you must wait another 30 days before you are allowed another $800 exemption.
- The items are not prohibited or restricted as discussed in the section on Prohibited and Restricted Items. Note the embargo prohibitions on products of Cuba.
American Airlines to Charge for 1st checked bag.
5/22/200811:35:16 AM Link 0 comments | Add comment
It was reported yesterday that American Airlines is going to start charging for the 1st bag checked at the airport. This is going to force everyone to take as much carry on luggage as possible to keep from checking any luggage.
This doesn't make much sense as we are now going to carry on two bags instead of the one that we might have carried on in the past. What are we going to do with this extra luggage? Where are we going to put it? There certainly isn't any room for additional luggage in the overhead compartments, and the space under the seat in front of you isn't large enough to hold much. It won't even hold my laptop case.
When I travel on a teaching assignment, I have to carry paperwork, laptop, gadgets, camera, camcorder, etc., so my laptop case is too large to fit. Therefore, it is considered my carry on bag. Now, I will have to leave the purse at home, carry a small purse that will fit into one of my bags, and carry the laptop case, and a small piece of luggage with me.
I will not fly American as I have to have something to put my clothes in. I am leaving on NW airlines on the 23rd, and I have the 1 bag allowed, all of my teaching materials in a laptop bag, and a small bag that contains medicines, a change of clothes, medicines, jewelry, etc, as well as what is going to serve as a purse while I am away. I am going on a teaching gig onboard a 7 day roundtrip cruise to Alaska. What is the temp. you might ask. Who knows? I have short sleeves, long sleeves, a jacket, and 2 formal outfits as well as teaching clothes, gad about clothes, and shoes, makeup, curling iron, hair spray, and the list just goes on. How did I get it all in one bag and a small carry on? I have no idea, but I do know that it is done.
American Airlines can keep their seats. It is difficult enough to pack for a 7 day trip. Bless your heart if you want to go on that wonderful 14 day Mediterranian Cruise that Royal Caribbean offers.
By the way. You might be interested to know that it is cheaper for your bag to be overweight than it is to pay for an extra bag on those airlines that allow you to check just one bag.
Hit the Waves with Larry and Patricia Bannister of Bannister Travel
5/19/20089:21:02 AM Link 0 comments | Add comment
Go to Sea With Bannister Travel
Bannister Travel Takes to the Waves
Larry and Patricia Bannister are taking a group to the Caribbean on a 5 day cruise on the Carnival Fantasy out of New Orleans on February 2, 2009. The Carnival Fantasy is being dry docked for refirbishments in August, so they are going to be some of the first to sail on her when she is put back into service.
The cold air will be here in February, and it will be nice to get away to somewhere warm at that time of year.
The prices are fantastic, and they just cannot be beat. See below:
Oceanview Stateroom - $432 ppdo
Oceanview staterooms are all that is left. The interior and the balcony staterooms are already taken.
$100 is due now with $150 being due in September and final payment being in November.
If you are interested, contact Patricia at 662-288-9052 or one of the agents listed under "About Us" on the home page of the website, and go with Larry and Patricia Bannister for great fun in the sun.
Patricia Bannister, owner of Bannister Travel
Memphis International Airport Information
5/14/20081:41:03 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment
The fall of 2008 is bringing big changes to Memphis International Airport, and the biggest change is going to be in their long term parking. For several months this fall, there will be no long term parking at the airport as they tear down the existing structure and replace it with a newer, larger structure.
They will still have the side lots open if you just have to park at the airport.
I have a suggestion for you though. There is a parking area called Park It Here that is near the airport with around the clock shuttle service, oil changes, car washes, laundry services, meeting facilities, and internet accessibility for airport checkin all available to be done while you are away on your trip. Just imagine coming home to clean clothes, a clean car with it's oil changed, where you can sit down when you get back and have a cup of coffee and relax.
If you contact me, I will mail you a coupon to use so that you can park for less at Park It Here. They have some of the nicest and most service oriented personell that you will find anywhere. Why not call me today at 662-288-9052, get your coupon, and give them a try. You really have nothing to lose.
Patricia Bannister, owner of Bannister Travel
Information About New Orleans and Carnival Cruise Lines
5/14/20081:33:41 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment
We have just learned that Carnival Cruise Lines is going to pull the Fantasy which is based out of New Orleans.
In August of this year, Carnival is going to put the Fantasy into dry dock for major renovations. In October, they will return the Fantasy to New Orleans where she will resume the 4 and 5 day schedule that she is running at this time. You need to book right away if you want to be the first to sail onboard the newly renovated Fantasy out of New Orleans going to Cozumel, MX and Playa del Carmen.
Although the Fantasy will not be in New Orleans for 3 months, you will still be able to take advantage of the Holiday which is sailing out of Mobile, AL with 4 and 5 day itineraries.
