Cruise adventures are packed with numerous shopping options from the many places you’ll visit, not to mention shopping on the ship. There are so many interesting purchases to be found, from clothing, jewelry, souvenirs, and other items. However, there are certain rules and regulations from the US Customs Department that you must adhere to, regarding bringing things back home.

To avoid any further hassles, it’s best that you do your research. Read the Customs’ “Know before you go” pamphlet, and ask your cruise liner for any information beforehand. Not all items are allowed for entry within the United States, so check which are prohibited, and which are restricted merchandise. Knowing this information before hand will save you money on your purchases that will be forfeited from you if you didn’t follow the rules. Some items, such as those you will give as gifts or will be of personal use, may be exempt from duty-free payments. But if you are planning to re-sell your purchases, you must pay due taxes for these.

Cruise ships and many ports have duty-free shops that sell a number of goods. However, be warned that you must declare any items you purchased duty-free prior to entering the United States again. You will still need to pay duty fees. But you should still keep all your receipts, because residents of the United States who will be visiting foreign ports for more than 48 hours are provided with a $400 duty-free allowance by the US Customs Department. If you’re of legal age, you are permitted to purchase and bring home liquor.

Another policy of the US Customs is that if you’re going to St. Thomas, you’re allowed to go home with $1200 worth of purchases, but not more than $400 in purchases that you have made in places other than St. Thomas. You are also allowed to bring home 5 liters of liquor, duty-free, provided that no more than 1 liter was purchased elsewhere except the US Virgin Islands.

While shopping at ports of call, you should practice safety by not purchasing any fake goods. If you want to purchase designer items, be sure you buy them from the stores itself to avoid any legal implications by the US Customs because fake items are confiscated. So next time you shop on the quaint streets of an exotic city, be wary of what is being sold to you, even if the vendor says it is real.

US Customs has its own strict guidelines about bringing back food and medicines purchased on foreign soil. In fact, even if you bought in onboard the cruise, you will not be allowed to take it home if the food item is on the prohibited list. Likewise, if medications you purchased are not on the Food and Drug Administration approval list, you will have to surrender them to Customs.