St. Croix, like the rest of the US Virgin Islands, is a shoppers paradise. There is no sales tax, and visitors from the U.S. are allowed a duty free shopping quota of $1,200.00. Additionally, an unlimited number of gift packages, worth $100 or less, may be mailed to family and friends. Citizens may also bring back up to five cartons of duty free cigarettes and five fifths of US liquor duty free. An extra fifth can be taken if it is an U.S. Virgin Islands product such as Cruzan Rum.
Cigarettes cost about half what they would be in the states, with name brand cartons available under $15. Even better deals can be had on liquor, a liter of Cruzan Rum that will run $12-15 in the states can be purchased in the $5 range. Kitchenware, crystal, jewelry, perfume and cosmetics deals also abound with the best shopping being in Christiansted. Frederiksted also has several shops along the waterfront and in the streets and alleys around the town.
©2004 The Beach, US Virgin Islands