What is the US duty-free limit when returning from the Caribbean?

U.S. residents have an US$800 personal exemption from most Caribbean destinations, including 1 liter of alcohol for those 21 and over and up to 200 cigarettes and 100 cigars. If you are returning from the U.S. Virgin Islands the exemption rises to US$1,600. Confirm current figures with CBP before you travel.

How much can I bring back to the UK from the Caribbean?

Returning to Great Britain you have a GBP 390 allowance for general goods (GBP 270 by private plane or boat), plus separate alcohol and tobacco allowances such as 42 litres of beer, 18 litres of wine, and 4 litres of spirits, and 200 cigarettes. If you go over, you pay tax and duty on the full value of those goods, not just the excess.

What is Canada's personal exemption after a Caribbean trip?

It depends on how long you were away. After 24 hours you can bring back CAD 200 of goods but no alcohol or tobacco. After 48 hours or more the exemption is CAD 800 and can include alcohol and tobacco within the set limits, such as 1.14 litres of spirits and 200 cigarettes.

What happens if I go over my duty-free limit?

You will usually pay duty and tax on the amount, or in the UK on the full value of the goods over an allowance. It is rarely a problem if you declare it; the real risk comes from not declaring, which can mean fines, seizure, or delays. Declaring is almost always cheaper and faster.

Do I have to declare goods even if I am under the limit?

You declare what your home country form asks for, which often includes total goods value, alcohol and tobacco, large amounts of cash (commonly the US$10,000 equivalent), and any restricted items such as food or plants. If you are within every allowance, you typically use the green or nothing-to-declare channel.

Updated for 2026

What can I bring back from the Caribbean?

Q: Can I bring Cuban cigars back to the United States?

No. Since September 24, 2020, U.S. travelers may no longer bring back Cuban-origin alcohol or tobacco, including Cuban cigars, as accompanied baggage for personal use. They are prohibited regardless of where you bought them. Travelers returning to the UK, Canada, or EU should check their own national rules.

Q: Can I bring fresh fruit or food back home?

Usually not. Most countries restrict or ban fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, and plants to protect agriculture. The US bars most fresh produce and meat, and the UK, Canada, and EU have similar restrictions. Commercially packaged and sealed foods are more often allowed, but when in doubt, declare it.

A reverse customs guide for travelers heading home. Your duty-free exemption, alcohol and tobacco allowances, how to declare on re-entry, and what happens if you go over the limit, for the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and the EU, based on official sources.

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Last reviewed June 2026 · Compiled from official sources.

The short answer for 2026

Each home country sets a personal exemption: roughly US$800 for the United States (US$1,600 from the U.S. Virgin Islands), GBP 390 for the UK, CAD 800 for Canada after 48 hours away, and EUR 430 for EU air and sea travelers. Alcohol and tobacco have their own separate limits. Bring back more than that and you simply declare it and pay duty. Figures change, so always confirm with your national customs agency before you fly.

Where you are heading home to

Allowances by home country

Your duty-free allowance is set by the country you return to, not the island you visited. Here is what each agency allows, and what happens if you go over.

United States

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

Returning U.S. residents get an US$800 duty-free personal exemption from most Caribbean destinations, rising to US$1,600 if you are coming back from the U.S. Virgin Islands. One liter of alcohol is included in that exemption for travelers 21 and over, along with up to 200 cigarettes and 100 cigars.

Goods allowance

US$800 personal exemption (US$1,600 if returning from the U.S. Virgin Islands)

Alcohol

1 US liter (33.8 fl oz) duty-free if you are 21 or older

Tobacco

200 cigarettes and 100 cigars

If you go over: Goods above your exemption are dutiable. CBP applies a flat duty rate on the first amount over the limit, then standard duty rates beyond that. Extra alcohol over your one-liter allowance is dutiable plus federal excise tax, even if you are still under your dollar exemption.

United Kingdom

HM Revenue & Customs (GOV.UK)

Returning to Great Britain from outside the UK, you have a GBP 390 allowance for general goods (GBP 270 if you arrive by private plane or boat), plus generous separate allowances for alcohol and tobacco. Alcohol and tobacco allowances apply only to travelers aged 17 and over.

Goods allowance

GBP 390 in other goods (GBP 270 if arriving by private plane or boat)

Alcohol

42 litres of beer plus 18 litres of still wine, plus either 4 litres of spirits or 9 litres of sparkling or fortified wine

Tobacco

200 cigarettes, or 100 cigarillos, or 50 cigars, or 250g of tobacco (you can split this allowance)

If you go over: If you go over an allowance you pay tax and duty on the full value of those goods, not just the amount above the limit. You declare the goods, usually online up to 72 hours before arrival or via the red channel, and you cannot pool your personal allowance with other passengers.

Canada

Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)

Canadian personal exemptions depend on how long you were away. After at least 24 hours you can bring back CAD 200 of goods duty-free, but no alcohol or tobacco. After 48 hours or more (or 7 days or more) the exemption rises to CAD 800 and can include alcohol and tobacco within the set limits.

Goods allowance

CAD 200 after 24 hours away (no alcohol or tobacco); CAD 800 after 48 hours or more

Alcohol

1.14 litres of spirits, or 1.5 litres of wine, or 8.5 litres of beer or ale

Tobacco

200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, 200 tobacco sticks, and 200g of manufactured tobacco

If you go over: Goods above your exemption, and alcohol or tobacco over the limits, are subject to duty and taxes. Declare everything on your CBSA declaration; a full, honest declaration is the simplest way to avoid penalties or seizure.

European Union

European Commission (Your Europe)

Entering the EU from a non-EU country such as the Caribbean, air and sea travelers have a EUR 430 allowance for general goods, plus standard alcohol allowances. Tobacco limits are set by each member state, so the country you land in decides the exact figure. Allowances do not apply to travelers under 17.

Goods allowance

EUR 430 in other goods for air and sea travelers (EUR 300 by land)

Alcohol

4 litres of still wine and 16 litres of beer, plus either 1 litre of spirits over 22% or 2 litres of fortified or sparkling wine

Tobacco

Commonly 200 cigarettes (limits vary by member state, so check the country you enter)

If you go over: Anything above the limits is liable for VAT and excise duty, and member states can set higher or lower thresholds. Declare goods over the allowance to customs in the EU country where you arrive.

Compare at a glance

Home-country duty-free limits compared

The headline goods, alcohol, and tobacco allowances for each destination you might be returning to. These are a guide, always confirm the current figures with the relevant agency before you pack.

Comparison of goods allowance, alcohol allowance, and tobacco allowance for travelers returning to the US, UK, Canada, and EU from the Caribbean
Country	Goods allowance	Alcohol	Tobacco
United States	US$800 personal exemption (US$1,600 if returning from the U.S. Virgin Islands)	1 US liter (33.8 fl oz) duty-free if you are 21 or older	200 cigarettes and 100 cigars
United Kingdom	GBP 390 in other goods (GBP 270 if arriving by private plane or boat)	42 litres of beer plus 18 litres of still wine, plus either 4 litres of spirits or 9 litres of sparkling or fortified wine	200 cigarettes, or 100 cigarillos, or 50 cigars, or 250g of tobacco (you can split this allowance)
Canada	CAD 200 after 24 hours away (no alcohol or tobacco); CAD 800 after 48 hours or more	1.14 litres of spirits, or 1.5 litres of wine, or 8.5 litres of beer or ale	200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, 200 tobacco sticks, and 200g of manufactured tobacco
European Union	EUR 430 in other goods for air and sea travelers (EUR 300 by land)	4 litres of still wine and 16 litres of beer, plus either 1 litre of spirits over 22% or 2 litres of fortified or sparkling wine	Commonly 200 cigarettes (limits vary by member state, so check the country you enter)

On re-entry

How to declare on the way home

The same simple order works whichever country you are heading back to, from your first island purchase to clearing customs at home.

1
Keep your receipts as you shop
Hold on to receipts for rum, cigars, jewelry, and anything you buy on the island. They make it easy to total your purchases and prove value if customs asks at home.
2
Add up the total value against your home exemption
Before you fly, tally everything you are bringing back and compare it to your home country exemption, US$800, GBP 390, CAD 800, or EUR 430 for example. Knowing your number tells you whether you owe anything.
3
Check your alcohol and tobacco against the separate limits
Alcohol and tobacco have their own allowances on top of, or within, the goods exemption depending on your country. Count bottles and cartons so you are not caught out by a duty on that extra liter of rum.
4
Complete your home country declaration
Fill in the customs declaration for your home country, on paper, at a kiosk, or via an app like the relevant border agency tool. Declare anything over an allowance rather than guessing, since under-declaring carries the real risk.
5
Use the correct channel or answer honestly on re-entry
Use the green channel or nothing-to-declare lane if you are within every allowance, and the red channel if you are over. If an officer asks, answer plainly; declaring something dutiable usually just means a small payment.
6
Pay any duty due and keep your paperwork
If you owe duty it is generally quick to settle at the counter. Keep the receipt in case you are asked again, then head out to your onward transfer or ride home.

Leave it on the island

What you cannot bring back

Food & agriculture

Most countries restrict or ban fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, plants, and seeds to protect agriculture. U.S. CBP bars most fresh produce and meat, and the UK, Canada, and EU apply similar rules. Sealed, commercially packaged foods are more often allowed. When in doubt, declare it on arrival.

Cuban cigars (US note)

Since September 24, 2020, U.S. travelers may no longer bring back Cuban-origin alcohol or tobacco, including Cuban cigars, as accompanied baggage for personal use. They are prohibited regardless of where you bought them. Travelers returning to the UK, Canada, or EU should check their own national rules.

Counterfeit & protected goods

Counterfeit branded goods, pirated media, and items made from protected species, such as some coral, shells, and turtle products, can be seized and carry penalties. Buy souvenirs from reputable sellers and check whether a CITES permit is needed for anything made from wildlife.

Good to know

Bringing goods home FAQs

Yes, within your home country alcohol allowance. The United States includes 1 liter duty-free for travelers 21 and over, the UK allows up to 4 litres of spirits, Canada allows 1.14 litres of spirits in the 48-hour exemption, and the EU allows 1 litre of spirits over 22%. Anything above the limit is usually allowed too, but you declare it and pay duty.

Official sources

Last reviewed June 2026

Allowances and rules change, so always confirm the current figures with your home country customs agency before you travel. Primary sources for this guide:

Before you shop

Check the rules where you are buying

Your home allowance is only half the picture. Each island also has its own export and duty-free rules, so open your destination guide before you fill your suitcase.