Manda's first trip to jamaica sept 2011

[Rob]

Manda,

No worries there - be sure to let them know that you are bringing them back with you and if they still charge you duty, simply keep your duty receipt. When you are leaving the island, show your receipt to the customs agent and ask for a reimbursement on the charges. Since you still have the items with you, they are not subject to duty and your money will be returned.

If you plan on leaving them on the island, then they are subject to duty as you could purchase most everything you are bringing on the island.

A single laptop and phone would never normally attract duty. But bringing in several laptops and several phones would probably attract a charge. The customs agents are skilled at their jobs and can usually determine if someone is trying to cheat the system...

[Manda81]

Manda,

No worries there - be sure to let them know that you are bringing them back with you and if they still charge you duty, simply keep your duty receipt. When you are leaving the island, show your receipt to the customs agent and ask for a reimbursement on the charges. Since you still have the items with you, they are not subject to duty and your money will be returned.

OOHHH ! Good to know thank you! I suppose life is fair after all lol

[VVHT]

Manda,

Very nicely done! Sorry for the hiccup on your return to Canada

Have you booked your return yet???

VVHT

[Creasemon]

Really enjoyed the Manda in the Land of Wood & Water mini series. Good for you getting off the beaten track and away from the Beaches & The AI resorts to see the real Jamaican People. People like Jacko & Barber are the true spirit of the island as you found out. If I can ever find the time (and people to help corroborate the details), I will send the tale of my very 1st trip to Negril in 1978. I have also been subjected to strip search at Pearson 'cause they found some papers in my luggage. Hands down the # 1 worst airport to go thru on your way home from Jamaica.!!

[Manda81]

Hey Creasemon thanks for much... "Manda in the Land of Wood & Water: The Mini Series" hahaha I like the sound of that!!

I suppose I should consider flying out from another airport but it's just so close and soo well I was going to say convenient but it really isn't lol

[Seveen]

going through customs is pretty much the luck of the drawer

but . . . manda was stopped, searched answered all the questions and let go - nothing found

after that . . . why would they think she'd try to smuggle something next time? much less try the whole interrogation thing again . . .

[sunray]

I have no doubt that there is extra scrutiny placed on Canadians returning to Pearson Airport (Toronto) after a vacation in Jamaica. I have noticed planes arriving from Cuba at the same time, and watched as those folks have picked up their luggage from the carousel and are long gone before the bags from the Jamaica flight even reach the baggage carousel. The dogs are brought to walk through the people returning from Jamaica waiting for their bags. Maybe you get asked a few more questions by the Customs officer. Single travelers raise their interest for some reason, as well as people with multiple visits to Jamaica. You are home in Canada, if you feel they are going to far, (eg: talking about a strip search),you have every right to request a lawyer. I am sure they would understand at that point that they had better have good reason to be detaining you needlessly.

[Manda81]

Oh they offered me a lawyer after he radioed for two female officers as at that point he had made up his mind that I was going to have a full "intimate" search I declined the lawyer at the time because I thought that it would have more dramatic effect in the sense that I would look genuinely innocent lol I however, WILL request a lawyer if I am held and interrogated on my second trip at the level I was this past trip. When he was finished and had let me go he asked if I had any questions. I asked him if/when I travel to Jamaica again will this happen? His response was not an answer but a question. Oh so when are you returning? At that point I gave up and left before he could change his mind.

[sunray]

Here is some information regarding your rights at a Canadian airport:

http://blog.torontodefencelawyers.com/tag/strip-search/

[northcoast]

WOW!....guess citizens are really at the mercy of the establishment....not many rights noted there!