Duty on donations

My wife and I are taking this whole Saint Anthony series of thread to heart. Here in the states, we work with a local organization, and donate throughout the year to their food bank, and always adopt a family at Christmas. Since the island has been such a happy part of pur lives for close to 15 years, these threads have really made us think about doing something on that front as well.

We have purchased a good sized duffel, and are in the process of filling it with new shoes, clothes, etc. I have a few months til our trip, so I am sure it will be packed to the gills by the time we arrive.

Our airline allows us two full sized bags each as part if the ticket, along with carry on's, etc. so I am not cocerned about that. We will need at max three of the bags four our two week holiday. In the past, we have always brought some sort of gifts for staff, friends, etc... Nothing ever in this quantity however. Will I need to claim this as I am coming into the island? I cannot imagine that someone who is checking luggage will not take some note of a bag filled specifically with non-adult sized items and toys.

Paying the duty, tax, whatever is not a big deal, I am just wondering if anyone has had experience claiming things like this coming inland. Should I keep a stack of the store receipts for the customs? Does anyone know what percentage I should be expect to pay? Should I leave the price tags in place?

Also, if a board admin would like to offer my personal contact info to the individual handling the donation process we would be glad to take requests for what is needed to fill this bag. I already plan to make a cash donation while there as well, but I have always liked being able to give something the kids will get an immediate kid related benefit from as well.

I will pass this along to Father Jim - depending on your location there may be people there to assist you as well.

He is part of the Franciscan order, so they are well versed in dealing with this type of donations.

Thanks again!

A number of years ago, my wife as a teacher wanted to take schools stuff.(marker boards,note books,pencils, even a set of encyclopedia) This was back in the day, when the airline gave you two free bags per person. We must of had 150lbs of stuff,
never even though there would be a problem and there was not. It always felt great dropping the stuff off, Tis better to give, then receive.(for sure :D)

We get two bags each + a carry on + a laptop, I think the weight limit is 75# per bag, will have to check. I am not really concerned about paying the extra, or even over weight charges. I just want to make sure I don't have issues entering the island with a duffel of what is obviously not intended for me. I doubt there is big trade in smuggling kids clothes/shoes, but the way things are nowadays, I just want no problems :).

I cannot even imagine humping a set of encyclopedias across the ocean though .... That must have been such fun for you to carry!

We just dropped off a bunch of clothes for the kids for Fr. Jim in February. We were concerned but just took the extra suitcase and mixed in kids clothes with ours in all the suitcases. Was not an issue at all. Did not declare anything. fr Jim was very helpful in getting in contact with us to drop the clothes off. We had our driver from the hotel take us to the church and when he found out why we were going he would not even accept any money for the ride. negril always makes us feel good but giving back to the kids made the trip a lot nicer.

as for filling the bags--just about anything is usable EXCEPT winter coats, scarves, boots and the like! For kids--underwear, socks, pants, shirts flip-flops, school shoes (black)--toys, games--school supplies...

I would suggest that you just carry your bags through the regular customs check. They rarely bother tourists. One caution--don't bring too many bags that arouse suspicion. A couple (good friends) came to visit-son worked for airline and they got business--three bags each--two people with six rather large bags coming for one week. the agent was most suspicious and sent them to the "declare" line. they had a boat load of stuff for us. They ended up paying USD$29--not bad at all. you are allowed USD$500 worth of goods. I would not keep tags on items. If you get inspected just tell them that you are bringing the stuff for the Catholic Church in Negril to be used in their soup kitchen downtown and that various friends back home donated all this stuff. They will not be too hard on you. Give me a call to arrange delivery--cell is 1-876-881-1763. I am happy to help as I can and thanks for the consideration! --Fr. Jim

Every time I come to the island, which is 2-3 times a year, I bring a suitcase full of clothing for donation. All is new, varying in size and type and collected from friends and fam. I take the tags off and sometimes wash the clothing. I claim all that I have extra on the immigration form, declaring the approx value along with a limited description of what I have brought. I make sure to state also that they are all for donation. Each time I have been search, lightly, nothing too intrusive, asked a few questions, and then I am sent on my way. No matter what the true value is of all that have brought, I usually claim the total to be around 200US. I tell the customs officer the place that I plan on leaving the items, such as the local church in Negril, and also where they have come from such as from friends and fam. I mix the clothing in with my own but it is obvious that some does not belong to me or would not fit me so this is why I declare. I have been asked to ensure that the next time I do this that I pack the donations in a seperate bag, I ususally bring 2 bags as one is for donation and one is full with my clothes, but I never do. I don't want them to look too hard at what I have brought and they usually don't.

My past reach at Christmas, I brought boxes of used books, new toys, school supplies, for Negril All Age School. I claimed it all (note also put it on my entry form). Wen through the line, the girl opened the boxes, checked it all out quickly. She said, Thank you! And I was not charged a penny. I had thought about weaving all theses things in my suitcases. But honesty is the best policy. I marked the boxes "Donations-Used, Negril All Age School".

I would not list anything onthe declaration form. They are not expecting your to bring things in! When you arrive home they will be expecting you to bring things home--souvenirs, etc. Heading home you are wise to note something on the declaration form.

Thanks for the response, Fr Jim, I guess I will also leave the cashmere sweaters and toboggans I had packed at home as well (I kid). :)

As we approach closer, I would like to give you a call to see what items will have the most impact for you, and we can hit the outlet stores in my area. Carter's for kids, and osh kosh are a favorite of my niece, and... Kids are kids...I don't want to bring repeats of what is already delivered, and we will purchase based on what you ask for.

I was hoping to pack a couple of toys along as well were that to be acceptable, I grew up on these very types of donations, and while the clean clothes and food box were always appreciated as a child, I still remember the toy robot I was given at the age of 9 more than just about anything,

As far as the number of bags, it will be limited. I am doing the duffel for the kids, and the three suitcases for the wife and myself. We were overweight last year, but usair just put it through. I beige e our ticket gets 2 75# bags each.

-You can call on my cell (1-876-881-1763). Toys are great! Every child should have one--and believe me, many here don't! And, you will be hard pressed to bring repeats on what others have brought! Put that out of your mind! Will look forward to hearing from you--and meeting you too! --Fr. jim

The more I read this thread, the more my heart swells...."No one has ever become poor by giving". When I think about the abundance my children had when they were growing up and how so often we take the little things (like new school shoes) for granted, I can't help but feel compelled to contribute to the children of Jamaica. We have always brought school supplies, meds, toiletries, etc for the staff at the resort to take home to their families. Everything is bagged based on gender and age for easy distribution. And the best part? Meeting the staff and vendors, finding out about their families and lives and seeing the smiles on their faces when I return with a package for their family. Father Jim, it sounds like you are doing an incredible job. We will be back to Jamaica in November and I would really love to volunteer at the kitchen for a morning. Do I just come on over? I would be willing to do any job.....I can scrub a "mean" pot :D

My cell is 1.876.881.1763. I might have already sent this to you but I don't see it. This stuff is all sort of new to me. I'm not sure if I sending things tot he right place. Hope you get this! As a kid I was always told practice makes perfect. --Fr. Jim

Greetings, another place to donate is Calvary Baptist Church in Sav La Mar. The pastor's name is Ricardo Cooper. He is a man of integrity and shares what he has with the community. Our church partnered with him for the last 4 years, and I have brought money, school supplies, toiletries. I've brought something different each year, and will do the same when I return in November. Pastor Cooper will pick the items up from wherever you are. He can be reached at (876)891-0488 or delrico2@yahoo.co.uk, just tell him I gave his number. Any donations will be appreciated.

Regards,

Pastor Jeffrey A. Williams
Greensboro, NC

We have been working our bag full force, bought some sneakers of various sizes, flip flops and other shoes for the kids over the weekend. Fr Jim mentioned black shoes for the kids for school. I did a few GIS's, on jamaican school uniforms, could not come up with a definitive answer on what type. Do the kids wear dressier or more casual shoes with their uniforms?

I would say casual shoes. I see many walking, the boys have on casual tennis shoes and the girls have on flats.