When my parents and I were returning to the states after a wonderful week in El Salvador with the CFCA Organization, I decided to purchase cigarettes to take back with me. I purchased 1000 smokes (5 Cartons) from a duty free shop in the airport. The cost was the cigs was $54.00. This shop was right across from gate five. All shops sell them. I have purchased duty free item an flights before and never had a problem.
When return through US customs the smoke were confiscated. I had to sign a wavier and it was a hassle since I almost missed my connecting flight by 10 minutes. I was held up in Customs and Immigrations for about an hour.
The officer showed me the small print on the side of the box that read "not for use outside of the country" This was after the officer removed the slick cardboard holder that had hidden the text. All of the cigarettes for sale had these cardboard wrappers on them that hid the text.
What really burns me is that the women selling the items asked for my passport and entered my passport control number. She new that we were heading back to the States. Well now I learned my lesson. I was informed that I could cancel the transaction by Customs if I used my credit card, but I paid cash.
I will contact the airport and the vender, but I fell that is as useful as pissing up a twirling rope. Any suggestions on this issue would be appreciated.
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