Do we need to declare gifts at Customs?

My husband and I will be back in Jamaica for our 3rd trip to Negril and first time to Treasure Beach soon for 12 glorious days :cool:
We will be bringing some gifts to donate (12 composition notebooks, 8 boxes of crayons, 12 pairs of reading glasses, 3 flashlights, 8 reading lights and a few packs of dry erase markers). My question is - do we need to go through the line to declare these? We did last year, but everyone else declaring something had bigger, more expensive items than what we had. And by the time we stood in line, the customs person just kind of shook his head and waved us through after opening my suitcase and not even looking at anything. This probably doesn't matter, but we also get most of the stuff we bring to donate for free from using rebates and coupons. Honestly, we probably only paid $15 for all this stuff we're donating. Do we declare the value of the items or the amount we paid? Thoughts?

Thanks so much for any advice!

Technically anything you bring into the country and leave should be declared. However we take "gifts" on every trip and well...... you know if they happen to get left behind with someone then oh well.....

You may pay more fees on your gifts than you may expect to. That is the rub.

The law is quite clear: non-Jamaicans (meaning no Jamaica passport) have to declare anything that is not solely for your personal use and will stay in Jamaica when you leave. All the details are at the Jamaica customs Web site.

Do people routinely smuggle stuff in? Yes. Do they ever get caught? Occasionally. Mostly nobody searches luggage in the "nothing to declare" line. If yours gets searched and the customs person is up for it, you're going to have a hassle.

You might get flagged if you have an unusual amount of luggage. If you fly first class most airlines throw a priority tag on, and the customs peeps recognize that. I have never been asked to open my bags, knock on wood, so you likely will have no issue. And if you do, be honest and share your intentions.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by booger

And if you do, be honest and share your intentions.

---

I should have mentioned this. Lying to customs officials is (if they care to pursue it) a violation in itself - making a false declaration of entry.

Customs people are human and if they recognize your intention is a donation, they usually turn their eyes. BUT you might run across one that got up on the wrong side of the bed and wants everyone else to have a bad day too. I once heard a customs person say to another......lets search everyone with a mustache today :) ...no reason, just because.
Years ago I brought a whole duffel bag full of deflated soccer balls and a couple air pumps for Preachermon(if any one recognizes), he helped with a youth after school program. Since it was a pretty sizable extra bag, I went to the declare line. The customs guy looks at me and says...you selling these? No sir, its for the Negril Police Boys program.....waved me through.
Sometimes there's no rhyme or reason.

We always bring gifts. Never even considered having to declare them. Oops. This trip we are bringing 24 backpacks. I guess we need to declare them.

I posted separately but do you know of a group that would take baby clothing and shoes in Negril. All clean and good condition.

St Anthony's soup kitchen also runs a thrift store and I am sure they would appreciate the baby clothing.
We always bring gifts too, however, it has always been my understanding that if you are not selling any items in Jamaica, then there is no need to declare them...see below.....up to $500 duty free on household and personal affects....

Allowances



All passengers 18 years and older are allowed the following:

* US$500 duty-free

on household and personal effects;

* 170 ml bottle of perfume

* 340 ml bottle of eau

de toilette

* 2 litres of alcoholic beverages

* 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 230 grams of processed tobacco

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jamaicajeanne

Allowances

All passengers 18 years and older are allowed the following:

* US$500 duty-free

on household and personal effects;

---

Unless you have a household this doesn't apply. You'll need a TRN, proof of domicile etc. Been there - done that

Cap

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jamaicajeanne

...it has always been my understanding that if you are not selling any items in Jamaica, then there is no need to declare them.

---

Legally, you need to declare them. I think it's only fair to give correct answers to these questions. "Somebody on an Internet message board told me no need to declare them" isn't a good defense if your luggage is searched. See the first FAQ at

http://www.jacustoms.gov.jm/home_tem...AQs&group_id=1

Note that the "allowances" from captaind above says in full

Quote:

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Jamaican residents, 18 years and over with a Jamaican passport, returning from a trip abroad, may bring with them, free of duty, personal and household effects, including gifts, which together are of a value not exceeding US$500 or the equivalent in Jamaican currency.

---

So the $500. allowance does not apply to tourists.

Very interesting.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by wrtiii

Note that the "allowances" from captaind above says in full

So the $500. allowance does not apply to tourists.

---

The new immigration for doesn't specify resident but refers to ALL passengers. As usual government doubletalk LOL:


Cap

Attachment 44528

Thanks Cap! I feel better now, LOL!

Thanks for the information everyone! This has been very informative.

Thanks, Cap, that is interesting. I haven't seen the new form yet (a couple more days!). So they have revised the text on the Customs part of the combined Immigration/Customs C5 Card form, but on the Customs site, they still list the same old C5 as ever, and the law doesn't appear to have changed. I wonder how long it will be before someone notices that they don't match?

OK, Cap, you were a little misleading on that. Here's the full form (sorry that the back is on the left and the front on the right).

Attachment 45030

Question 15 on the front is "I have gifts or articles for resale" and the instructions on the back say "If you have checked YES in any of the boxes 11B through 15, please use the RED LINE". Seems very explicit that if you're bringing gifts, you should use the red line...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by wrtiii

OK, Cap, you were a little misleading on that. Here's the full form (sorry that the back is on the left and the front on the right).

Attachment 45030

Question 15 on the front is "I have gifts or articles for resale" and the instructions on the back say "If you have checked YES in any of the boxes 11B through 15, please use the RED LINE". Seems very explicit that if you're bringing gifts, you should use the red line...

---

Thanks,

I never really looked at it and I thought it was the resale issue.

I always use the red line anyway but thanks for clearing that up for the other boardies

Cap

I don't want to sound cold but why do people feel the need to take "gifts"? Unless you have GOOD friends in Jamaica (not just acquaintances) why are you taking "gifts".

If you want to help out a school why do you not just drop of a cheque so they can purchase priority items that are really needed. No need to worry about customs issues!

If you want to help out the general population then drop of some funds to a recognized charity or to a church so that folks who are in desperate need can get help.

I think that by taking gifts, tourist get themselves labeled as walking ATMs by the locals and it encourages even more begging.

It is important to help our fellow man but gifting is not the way IMHO. Give your money to those who can distribute it wisely.

BTW, I was born and raised in Jamaica.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by halfwaytree

I don't want to sound cold but why do people feel the need to take "gifts"? Unless you have GOOD friends in Jamaica (not just acquaintances) why are you taking "gifts".

If you want to help out a school why do you not just drop of a cheque so they can purchase priority items that are really needed. No need to worry about customs issues!

If you want to help out the general population then drop of some funds to a recognized charity or to a church so that folks who are in desperate need can get help.

I think that by taking gifts, tourist get themselves labeled as walking ATMs by the locals and it encourages even more begging.

It is important to help our fellow man but gifting is not the way IMHO. Give your money to those who can distribute it wisely.

BTW, I was born and raised in Jamaica.

---

Well said. The voice of reason!

We bring gifts for friends as a token of friendship and also appreciation. Some are for people who work where we stay and some are for friends who live there. We always call before we go and ask if there is anything special they want that they can't get in Jamaica or is really expensive there. Some offer to pay is but unless it's really expensive we don't accept their money. They always like what we bring and that makes us feel good. We also tip everyone who works where we stay and leave behind a lot of stuff as well. I think it's up to people to bring gifts or give money or neither. I don't see how bringing a gift to a Jamaica encourages people to beg for money. I think giving money may do that but not gifts but then again that is my opinion. We also bring toys and candy and go to a town outside of Negril where a friend of ours lives and give the toys and candy out to the kids. At least when we do this we get to see the joy it brings to the children as well as their parents as opposed to just giving the money to someone and taking their word that it will go to children. That's what we do and it's our perogitive and that's what we will continue to do

I hope my post didn't sound negative because that wasn't my intent. Hell I wish I could bring a pocket full of checks to drop off at different charities and schools but I can't. We work hard and save all year just to be able to go to Jamaica. We buy the gifts we bring from online auctions, the dollar store and on sale at different stores throughout the year to spread the cost out a bit. We just can't afford to bring cash to give away but we do spend a lot and try to spread it around. This year we do plan to donate a bit of money to an orphanage if we can find one in the Negril area and would like to volunteer a few times at the soup kitchen in Negril. We do what we can and I know that will never be enough but every bit helps right

Quote:

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Originally Posted by halfwaytree

I don't want to sound cold but why do people feel the need to take "gifts"? Unless you have GOOD friends in Jamaica (not just acquaintances) why are you taking "gifts".

If you want to help out a school why do you not just drop of a cheque so they can purchase priority items that are really needed. No need to worry about customs issues!

If you want to help out the general population then drop of some funds to a recognized charity or to a church so that folks who are in desperate need can get help.

I think that by taking gifts, tourist get themselves labeled as walking ATMs by the locals and it encourages even more begging.

It is important to help our fellow man but gifting is not the way IMHO. Give your money to those who can distribute it wisely.

BTW, I was born and raised in Jamaica.

---

We are bringing two dozen backpacks. Are you telling me we should leave them at home?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gregandkelly63

We are bringing two dozen backpacks. Are you telling me we should leave them at home?

---

"aye, there's the rub", - Hamlet Act 3 scene 1

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gregandkelly63

We are bringing two dozen backpacks. Are you telling me we should leave them at home?

---

It is up to you whether you want to bring them or not.

All I am saying is that some visitors that travel to Jamaica complain about the begging. Even when I venture back to JA they know I come from "farrin" and they follow me with hands out to give them something. Tourist have created much of this sense of "expectation" and dare I say "entitlement" by handing out gifts willy nilly. Give!!! It is appreciated!!! But give wisely, give to organizations who know what the needs really are and who needs items the most. No need IMHO to go interrupt a class full of kids learning their lessons to hand out pencils and rulers. Leave them with someone in Jamaica who can distribute them to some of the outlying schools who will REALLY appreciate those items. If you are an educator and are visiting Jamaica then by all means contact the school and see if it is possible to take part in a lesson. The kids would probably find it interesting. If you are just a visitor with nothing more to offer than material items, then I do not see why anyone feels the need to visit a classroom to play Santa Claus other than for the self gratification that comes with it.

Again, sorry if i sound cold but that is just something I needed to get off my chest.

This is not an easy thing to discuss, and I feel Halfwaytree is less sounding cold than being blunt, but he is unfortunately not wrong.

Teaching a lesson at a school is a great idea as is volunteering at the Soup Kitchen in Negril. And making donations to the right charities and/or the right people who can make sure the items are given to the places most needed is the best way to make a difference. A scene I witnessed made me feel sad, but proves the point about expectations and entitlement.

I was with a group of frequent visitors when school let out and the kids enveloped the neighborhood. A little girl ran up to one of the female visitors and gave them a big hug. They obviously knew each other well. There was almost a parental feel about the situation, both the child and the visitor were sharing the moment. The child climbed on the visitors lap. The visitor asked the little girl how school went and she smiled shyly and said "fine". She was then asked "what did you learn in school today?" The little girl smiled and proudly announced, "tourists bring us things!" The visitor looked puzzled and then asked "no really, what did you learn in school today?" The girl shrugged and emphatically said, "tourists bring us things!"

It was a sad thing to witness, but to me, this is how the sense of expectation and entitlement starts.

Just some food for thought...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rob

Just some food for thoughtt...

---

* Wow *

Rob, that-post is a ''..belly-FULL..'' of *food*

i've got HUNDREDs of sad-tales, just like that one

Quote:

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Originally Posted by halfwaytree

It is up to you whether you want to bring them or not.

[B]
But give wisely,
give to organizations who know what the needs really are and who needs items the most

---

ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

that might-not *work* either

i've got MANY-tales i could share about some of those *organizations*
and how they play-games
with those from-foreign donations/funds

*tales* that'll make your head spin 'round
like that likkle-girl in the ''Excorcist" movie

,

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by halfwaytree

. If you are an educator and are visiting Jamaica then by all means contact the school and see if it is possible to take part in a lesson

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by halfwaytree

The kids would probably find it interesting.

---

Amen..!!!...

money & trinkets aren't the only-thing of value.

AND::>> the children WILL love to hear-from a from-foreign-teacher

,

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by halfwaytree

It is up to you whether you want to bring them or not.

Tourist have created much of this sense of "expectation"

---

ditto
ditto
DITTO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Irieonline

We also bring toys and candy and go to a town outside of Negril where a friend of ours lives and give the toys and candy out to the kids.

---

ummmmmmmmmmm

THAT *explains* WHY ::::: when i go to Jamaica, and staying in-country-side
EVERY-trip certain resident-peer-rants be asking me:::>> '''..What you bring for the children... you bring any candy...??'''


* sigh *

i tell 'em::>> '''...I'm NOT *the-One* ---- i'm NOT those other from-foriegn-tourists that come here...'''

nevertheless,
you-all carry-on......do what makes you happy.
...but *it* do mash-up things for me (and others)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by halfwaytree

Unless you have GOOD friends in Jamaica (not just acquaintances





I think that by taking gifts, tourist get themselves labeled as walking ATMs by the locals and it encourages even more begging.

.

---

Preach it..!!!.
Teach it...!!!

:-)


hey, boardie-halwaytree `~~ Brilliant-posts, der
clap
clap
clap

for-YEARs, i've been telling folks the exact same thing(s)
but they don't understand
...it doesn't *compute*

* sigh *

so it goes

Guess not everybody gets that some people like to see the joy and happiness that getting a gift gives to a person. You can't tell me that giving a gift to school children teaches them that tourists bring gifts and teaches them to beg. Pretty sure that if they live near Negril or mobay they have a family member who works in the tourist industry or makes money from tourists somehow. Sorry to be negative but if I am bringing something to Jamaica for a friend or a school I want to be the one giving it, partly for the reason I just stated and also because I want to make sure it gets to who I want it to get to. I didn't see anyone jumping on the boardies here who took the time and initiative to tour around the small towns near Negril to just randomly hand out cheap toys to kids and telling them they are turning kids into beggars. Sorry we all can't afford to hand out checks and cash but every bit helps. I say if it brings you joy and makes you feel good to bring school supplies and toys for kids by all means keep doing it. My wife's greatest joy is handing out candy to any Jamaican kid anytime she see,s one anywhere on the island. Hope she doesn't read some of these comments because she will just think she is making beggars out of them instead of making her and them both smile

Someone once said " the road to hell is paved with good intentions". I'll just leave it at that. Mi done talk!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Irieonline

You can't tell me that giving a gift to school children teaches them that tourists bring gifts and teaches them to beg.

---

.
I've made quite a few trips,
to Negril & other Ja-places
and
although you may believe it,
it's true

here's one (of many) examples::::>>> I'm strolling in Negril
down by the RoundAbout
...school has let-out
.........back-packed, jolly, neatly dressed & coif-ed school children, frolicking as they make their way home

LOTs of folks out & about
moving, moving, doing their Ja-thing
...mostly Ja-residents
.....not many tourists-types

a group of 'bout 5-6 boy-students
see me
.....I get *that-look* :::>>> he's from-foreign

boys-SAY (while laughing):::>> ''..Give me/us some money..''

I laugh back-at-them
[[[ 'cause I got the *joke* ]]]

they continue-on :::: jolly, frolicking, 'cause they've been *practice-ing* their beg-tourist thing-y

this has happened to me on numerous occasions in Negril
but
not so much in Lucea-town [[ very very rare-ly ]]

.

keep in mind it's an ***industry***
the tourist-INDUSTRY
....which requires one to *learn* & hone industrial-strength ways & habits :::: gotta start early-early to go-from rookie, to novice, to intern, to apprentice, to finally reach INDUSTRIAL.



..
.
.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Irieonline

Pretty sure that if they live near Negril or mobay
they have a family member who works in the tourist industry
or makes money from tourists somehow.

---

.
.
lol
lol
lol

tru tru TRUE...!!!..

in fact,
the odds are pretty-good
that said-family-member(s)
DON'T live IN Negril
...it's too expensive [for many] to live IN Negril
.......they might live as far away as SavLaMar or Lucea or further/farther out ---- approximately 20-miles away

I've *learned* that most children LEARN their *ways* & habits FROM their ''..family members..''


.
.
.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Irieonline

I didn't see anyone jumping on the boardies here
who took the time and initiative
to tour around the small towns near Negril
to just randomly hand out cheap toys to kids
and telling them they are turning kids into beggars.

---

lol
lol
lol

I've been off-the-board for a while,
but if I'd seen that-post
i *probably* WOULD have said something-something
[[[ as i have in the past ]]

ummmmmmmmmm
maybe not

'cause,
as now is the case,
that *discussion* tends to mash-up a thread
[[ as is the case right NOW
ummmmmmm
WHAT was the original topic of this thread...???... ]]]

lol
lol
lol

like i said,
i probably would have said something,,, but lately, in my old-age, I've given-up on _____ _____ _____

nevermind,

my now-deceased grandma once said, when I asked her for some advise::::>>> ''''... I DON'T give advise anymore ..... folks gonna do what they want to do anyways....'''.
.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Irieonline

.......................... Sorry to be negative .............

---

no no nooooooooooooooooooo..!!
:-(

you NOT being ''negative''
....i don't *see* negative-ity
........we *reasoning*, mi fren
.............everyting cris


.
..

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Irieonline

........................ randomly hand out cheap toys to kids ...............

---

.
.
ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

me all-ways say:::>> ''..WHEN in Jamaica,,, do things the SAME way you would do them back-home, in your hometown, in your neighborhood, back-in-foreign...''

so,
that said,
I'm trying to visualize
what would happen
here in good 'ole WashingtonDC USofA
if some stranger(s)
came rolling thru my neighborhood
handing out toys and candy to the children.

ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

on my street,
my neighbors would pitch a hissy-fit
:-(
some would call the police
and tell 'em to come get the ''..gift-givers..'' :::: suspicious activities.
.
.
ummmmmmmmmmmmm
that guy in/from Chicago-land:::::: John Wayne Gacey(sp?) comes to my mind, for some strange reason



.
.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Irieonline

Hope she doesn't read some of these comments
because she will just think she is making beggars out of them instead of making her and them both smile

---

.
.
* sigh *

as Rob said (above) [paraphrased] ::>> '''... food for thought ..'''

lemme take this thread BACK on-topic:::::::
.
.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by wrtiii

Mostly nobody
searches luggage
in the "nothing to declare" line..

---

.
.
lol
lol

oh r-e-a-l-ly ...???..

lol
lol

*they* have played with me a couple of times

and
you should see the look pon the passport-stamper's face
when i tell 'em i'm going to Lucea
lol
lol
dem look pon my bags
...wanna give me a search
......but THAT ain't there job (at that check point)
lol

i *guess* i look suspicious eh
,
,

/
/

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by booger

I have never been asked to open my bags, knock on wood,
so you likely will have no issue.

---

.
i've watched 'em.

if you going-to/staying-at an A/I or another resort-type place
they don't trouble you

always *play* your dumb-tourist card.

.
.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by booger

And if you do,
be honest
and share your intentions.

---

.
i second THAT..!!

.
1..Once upon a time,
they check my bags
and
grilled me 'bout all my camera equipment
and boxes & boxes of Polaroid film

mi-SAY:::>> ''..Polaroids for test, exposure-checks...''

2...Once upon another time
dem asked 'bout some school supply stuff

mi-SAY:::>> ''..for my pickney(s) going back to school..'''
.
.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by wrtiii

........ Lying to customs officials is (if they care to pursue it) a violation in itself
.... - making a false declaration of entry.

---

.
.

yep yep

you DON'T want to spend time in dem Ja-jail cells.

I seen 'em.
.... NOT a pretty set-up

:-(

,

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Thatswhatshesaid

Customs people are human

BUT you might run across one that got up on the wrong side of the bed
and wants everyone else to have a bad day too. I once heard a customs person say to another......lets search everyone with a mustache today :) ...no reason, just because.

.

---

.
.
* sigh *

been there done/seen THAT, too

and
*folks* will do that mess-with-the tourist thing-y in OTHER-places around the island.

such as:::>> Once upon a time,
this nasty & evil Cambio-teller
in Negril
wouldn't cash my traveler's check
'cause he-said::>> ''..signature don't match..''

grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

.
.
Once, same thing happened over in MoBay, too

I had a photo copy paper box right full of school supplies. I just taped the box and wrote on the outside in big letters. School Supplies-Charity. No questions asked.

i don't like smuggle-ing in contraband

:-(

for example,
last trip
i carry-ed
a few of my mom's nice dress-es

folded 'em up real-small & tight
and
stuffed 'em inside my underware

was nervous nervous
[[[ please Jah,,,, don't make 'em check me ... please ]]

luck-ly no check

*whew*

question:::>>> WHAT should my response be, if/when they find woe-men's clothing in my bags....???...

would this work...???..::>> ''...I like to *dress-up* .... like Caitlen(sp?) Jenner...'''

boardie-family guidance requested

Oh dear. I didn't read all of this post until now. People do not have to make a big event out of their gifts. Jelly Bean is a teacher. On June 1, at end of school year, she puts box in her school corridor for students to deposit school crayons and pencils, pens, etc. School address on inside of box in case J. school wishes to send thank you. Pack up box, away to go. Driving along highway, Jelly Bean gets taxi to swing into school she sees and drop box. Other passengers never seem to mind. Charity work is never questioned especially when most are sipping on a Red Stripe. lol Done. 2 minutes. No lost time from vacation. Schools are close to my heart so that's my area of interest. Best hit ever was when taxi driver's wife was school secretary. Driver insists on calling wife so she can say, thank you. Didn't even have to take box out of taxi! Have a good day.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gregandkelly63

We are bringing two dozen backpacks. Are you telling me we should leave them at home?

---

No, I'm telling you that legally you should check the "Yes" box for Question 15 and go to the Red line.

You are free to do whatever you want. If you choose to ignore the customs law, there may be consequences. If you choose to obey the letter of the law, you may be charged duty. I just think people should make their own informed decision.

Some people seem to be taking this as an attack on the idea of bringing gifts. It is not. It's just that if you do, Jamaican law requires you to declare them. You may be charged duty on them. The customs official may also just wave you through. But either way, the customs official is making the decision and you are following Jamaican law. I have done exactly this with a bunch of backpacks that were promotional items from various conferences over the years. I told Customs what I had, they waved me through. (Of course, as these were promotional items with various company logos, the cash value was zero.)

Worst case, you decline to pay duty, they keep the offending items, and they end up in the hands of Jamaicans in some more roundabout way after they are auctioned off by Customs.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jelly Bean

Oh dear. I didn't read all of this post until now. People do not have to make a big event out of their gifts. Jelly Bean is a teacher. On June 1, at end of school year, she puts box in her school corridor for students to deposit school crayons and pencils, pens, etc. School address on inside of box in case J. school wishes to send thank you. Pack up box, away to go. Driving along highway, Jelly Bean gets taxi to swing into school she sees and drop box. Other passengers never seem to mind. Charity work is never questioned especially when most are sipping on a Red Stripe. lol Done. 2 minutes. No lost time from vacation. Schools are close to my heart so that's my area of interest. Best hit ever was when taxi driver's wife was school secretary. Driver insists on calling wife so she can say, thank you. Didn't even have to take box out of taxi! Have a good day.

---

What a wonderful thing....

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by wrtiii

No, I'm telling you that legally you should check the "Yes" box for Question 15 and go to the Red line.

You are free to do whatever you want. If you choose to ignore the customs law, there may be consequences. If you choose to obey the letter of the law, you may be charged duty.

---

I wasn't talking about customs. My question was in reference to the poster that said tourists should not be passing out items to the children because it teaches them to beg.

Completely my fault. I should have been more specific with my question.

Respect!