I want to send a laptop to Jamaica via Fed Ex, the value of the laptop is 349.99, however I am not sure what the duty would be and if I should send it as a gift, personal effect, ect. Has anyone ever shipped a laptop to Jamaica and what is the cheapest way for declaring it. Any answers would be very helpful..
Tanks:o
The laptop will incur duty, which will probably end up causing your friend to have to make a trip to MoBay (or Kingston) to pay the fee to pick up the computer. They charges will be around 40-55% of the computer's value, so a guesstimate of the duty would be around $175.
You may want to bring it down yourself and give it to your friend, or possibly buy one here on the island and help out the local economy.
I wouldn't ship it. Costs too much and you risk the chance of it getting lost. If you aren't planning on being in JA soon, see if someone (a boardie maybe?) you trust can carry it down for you and hand deliver it. You might even miss out on paying the duty if the person carrying it uses it for "personal use".
I agree with JeannieB - I carried laptop down a couple of years ago for a young man who I have know from him born (an honor's student who has since graduated Rusea with 6 subjects and is still using the laptop). I carried it in laptop bag over my shoulder, and no questions asked at customs (I woud have told them it was for my personal use if they had asked). I had computer loaded with word, excel and powerpoint plus s few games and some music; and I did use it on the way down during airport waits. I have also taken my own laptop down to use and had no problems.