The US Virgin Islands has always been known as a shoppers paradise, dating
back to the time when pirates traded and sold their good centuries before.
One of the best features you will find when shopping in the Virgin Islands is the fact that there are local laws that are shopper friendly. For starters, there are no custom duties on watches, cameras, perfume, liquor, china, leather goods and much more.
Secondly,
there are no sales or luxury taxes in these tropical isles, but the best
feature is that US Visitors are allowed duty free allowances up
to $1200
which is twice the amount on an other Caribbean Island and three times as
much of most European countries. In addition, shoppers can send gifts
to family and friends via mail provided that it is one item per day and
the value of the item is $100.00 or less. (Tobacco & Liquor cannot be
mailed.)
As
the Capital of the US Virgin Islands, Charlotte Amalie is a masterful
backdrop for showcasing the many Danish designed stores that flow through the main and back streets of the down town area. Stores
such as Coach, Fendi, Cardow and Cartier, line these streets as the
glitter from 
their inventory
enchants you as if though you are walking
through streets of gold.
You will find many alleys through out the main and back streets of downtown Charlotte Amalie. Alleys such as Palm Passage, Drake's Passage and Riise Alley, gives you the feeling as if you were stepping out of one Shoppers Paradise in to another filled with art, culture and history.
Jewelry, electronics and cameras, seem to
be the favorite items of purchase
by many tourists, but to find many locally made items, St. John is the
place to go. From downtown Cruz Bay to Mongoose Junction and
Warfside Village, you will find everything from home accessories, pottery
to exotic jewelry.
The Island of St. Croix brings another
flavor to shopping with its harbor
nights, where local stores stay open late every other
Wednesday. This miniature frolic
is loved by both locals and tourists alike as they relish in the great
bargains they recieve on liquor, jewelry and perfumes. On
this special night, you can find shoppers "limin" as they enjoy
the festive music and
dance.
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