www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Hey Guys: I am flying into SJO tommorow evening for a 2 week visit. In the past it has been typical for me to purchase substancial quantities of coffee and other goodies at the Cafe Britt shops at the airport, when I leave SJO and transport them in my carry on bag. What happens now, when I enter the US and have to pass thru security again in Miami ? Will they allow these products in my carry on, or do I have to check the bag?

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My life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out and loudly proclaiming...." MAN....WHAT A RIDE!!!!"

No Liquids! So your alcohol you can not take on board. The coffee is ok. Kinda sucks that you can buy it inside of the airport and still not carry on the plane with you.

You Can buy in the airport on the way out they will bring your bottles to the plane door.. you can purchase liquor in the airport and take it back to the states as long as its NON STOP TO THE US.

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Thank you for supporting CRT!

They do have a little Cafe Britt section in the Mas X Menos on Avenida Central, always seems to be a Cafe Brit representative chica there to help too. Cheaper than the airport prices I believe.

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Living well is the best revenge
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwUtj_YnNoY

Does anyone have experience of how they are handling your purchases when arriving in CR?

I would assume that as long as you make the purchase in the shop located in the baggage claim area you would be okay. Is that a safe assumption?

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Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

I would be leery about buying duty free if you have to change planes ANYWHERE on the return even if you ARE allowed to leave San Jose with them in your carry-on.

Remember, no liquids on outgoing flights, so if you have to change planes in ATL, MIA, DFW or anywhere else after you've cleared customs you're not going to get on the plane with the goods.

I packed a large bottle of Johnny Walker in my checked bag without problems. I used my carry-on for coffee and candy.

Wit

As long as your first stop in the US is a Customs stop you will be ok as long as you have room in your checked baggage for your duty free liquids. After customs inspection put them in your checked baggage before checking in for your connecting flight.

Madhatter

You still risk the screening before you get on the plane. IF you are the lucky one to be checked, and many are, you will lose them.

OK maybe I am not understanding something here...

In CR you can purchase duty free liquids, in the duty free area before boarding your plane to the US. The shops will deliver your goods to the inspectors on the ramp to the plane and you pick them up from the inspector and get on. You can actually walk with the shop personnel while they carry your goods to the ramp and deliver them to the inspector, you are given a receipt to claim your goods from the inspector. I have done it and I have not heard off anyone making a purchase through the duty free shops not being allowed to bring them on the plane. Someone please correct me if something has changed in the last 2 weeks.

When you arrive in the US and go through US Customs, as long as you are following import allowance rules, you will have no problem retaining your purchases.

Once you clear Customs you have your duty free goods in hand and your checked baggage, then you can place your purchases in your checked baggage, and then proceed to check in for your connecting flight.

I fail to see where there is any risk of loosing your goods. If I'm wrong somehow, please, would someone enlighten me. Thanks!

Madhatter

Would be interesting to know if this happens that way. I have not tried this yet as per above post. Rule says you can not bring ANY liquids on plane. That does include duty free items since they are liquids, but still would be nice if someone could check this out.

Well I did it 2 weeks ago when I left from the Labor Day Weekend... I had 0 problemos...

In most airport duty free is now delivered at the entrance to the plane not at the entrance to the jetway. There is no baggage inspection once you are past the entrance to the jetway.

When you get to your first US stop you clear customs and if you are connecting to another flight you must then put your duty free liquid items in your checked baggage for that leg.

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Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

All I can report is what I actually experienced. I left CR(SJO) from Gate 2. They were re-inspecting everyones carry on stuff IN the jetway before you actually got on the plane. This is also where you could retrieve your duty free purchases.

Madhatter

On Aug 29th Paco and myself had this same experience.

Berk....

Forget the alcohol and put the beans in your check-in luggage.