How to Buy and Export Alcohol from Jamaica, the Bahamas or the Dominican Republic

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For many people, buying alcohol in the Caribbean is a no-brainer. It’s cheap, accessible and comes at you from every direction: bars, hotels, resorts and duty-free shops all sell alcohol from local producers at a great value. Even better, much of the alcohol available in the Caribbean is significantly cheaper than what you’d pay in your home country. So if you’ve got some space in your suitcase and a taste for rum or tequila, it’s pretty easy to stock up on a few bottles to take home with you. But what about those who don’t have that much luggage space or aren’t staying at an all-inclusive hotel? Do they have any options when it comes to exporting alcohol from the Caribbean? Let’s find out!

What is Considered Exportable Alcohol?

In most countries, alcohol is considered to be any beverage that contains more than 0.5% alcohol by volume (ABV). This means that you can buy and export beer, wine, cider, perry, sake and other fermented beverages. Many countries also allow you to export spirits (spirits are alcoholic beverages that have been distilled, such as tequila, rum and whisky). The amount you can export varies depending on the type of spirits.

How to Find Out Which Alcohol is Exportable From the Caribbean?

Most Caribbean destinations will have a list of which alcohol you can bring home with you written on the back of the customs form. If you don’t see it, just ask a customs officer. In general, you can bring one litre of spirits, wine or beer per person. Not all Caribbean islands have the same rules when it comes to bringing alcohol back home. Here’s a breakdown of what you can bring back from some of the more popular destinations: Bahamas: You can bring back up to one litre of alcohol and 400 cigarettes per person. Please note that you are not allowed to bring in meat or certain vegetables. Jamaica: You can bring back up to one litre of alcohol and 100 cigars per person. Dominican Republic: You can bring back up to one litre of alcohol and 200 cigars per person. There are many other Caribbean destinations to explore, so be sure to check the rules if you’re planning to visit somewhere new.

Finding and Importing Whisky from the Caribbean

Whisky is one of the most popular spirits to import from the Caribbean. If you can find a bottling from one of the local distilleries, it will probably taste quite different from what you’re used to at home. We can thank the Caribbean climate for this unique flavour profile. Unlike in Scotland, where whisky is traditionally made, Caribbean distillers use a different recipe to make their whisky. This recipe uses a lot of molasses instead of just barley, giving the final product a flavour that’s often described as being “sweeter” or “spicier”. Whisky from the Caribbean is often sold as a blended whisky, and some distillers will bottle their product with a tropical or coconut flavoring added. These tropical whiskies are usually made with a combination of Caribbean spirits and some Scotch whisky.

Importing Rum from the Caribbean

A lot of Caribbean rum is made using a mix of Caribbean and Caribbean-style molasses, so it will probably taste very different from what you’re used to tasting. Rums from the Dominican Republic and Haiti tend to be quite sweet, while Jamaican rum can be quite strong. Rum distilled on Barbados is usually quite dry, while rum from Trinidad is usually quite spicy. Rum from Martinique is usually quite spicy, while rum from St. Lucia is usually quite dry.

Importing Tequila From The Caribbean

You can find tequila from several Caribbean islands, but the majority of it is distilled in the Dominican Republic. De Agave Tequila, for example, is distilled in the Dominican Republic and bottled with a Mexican label. However, the Caribbean tequila is often made using a different recipe, which gives it a different flavour profile. It’s often described as being “sweeter” or “spicier”, and the tequila’s colour is often much darker than what you’d find at home.

Wrap Up

The Caribbean is famous for its rum, tequila, whiskey and other delicious spirits, so a trip to the Caribbean is perfect for any budding alcohol connoisseur. Even if you’re not a hardcore alcohol drinker, the Caribbean is a great place to start. After all, there’s nothing quite like sitting on a beach, sipping on a sweet Caribbean rum cocktail. If you’re planning to buy alcohol in the Caribbean and export it from there, it’s important to remember to do your research beforehand to find out what you can bring back home. Whether you’re buying rum, whisky or tequila, it’s also a good idea to try to take a note of the specific bottle and year so that you can tell the story when you drink it at home!