Quote Originally Posted by Sweet_Dawta View Post
Yep, the duty can be more than the cost of the gifts. Traveling as an ex-pat my luggage has been searched more times that it hasn't. I realized they prefer my hubby so I let him go through the nothing to declare line with the kitchen sink while they try to figure out what I have in my pocket book. New clothes for myself and the kids, I will remove the tag or even wash to get rid of the newnest. I have been asked to pay 'lunch money' to avoid been assessed the duty.

"but it doesn't necessarily follow, logically speaking,"
Not much in Jamaica follows LOGIC or is ever as it seems. They target ex-pats or frequent visitors who they know are returning with things/gifts to help out their loved ones or friends on the island!
All countries charge duty on items that are not for your own personal use and are intended to remain in that country. This would include gifts. The reason for duty is that there are businesses in that country that sell these items and are paying taxes, duty, licensing and registration fees, etc. and their interest as well as the interest of the government needs to be addressed. Thus the duty on most items. The customs agents often have some discretion on how the duty is determined and sometimes it is the luck of the draw as to how this is applied. Please note, this is not a Jamaican thing, the USA also charges duty on items if you are visiting the country and intend to leave the items behind.

Since ex-pats and frequent visitors are much more likely to be bringing in items that attract duty as gifts, it only makes sense for the customs agents to give these folks a bit more screening. First time visitors generally do not have family and/or loved ones in the country yet. From a logical standpoint, they should be targeted. And once again, this is not a Jamaican thing, customs agents in all countries do this.

The comment above "they prefer my hubby" may well be the fact that more women are being used as drug couriers and are therefore more likely to be subject to additional searches. The papers here in Jamaica often are mentioning women who are being placed in jail for drug courier crimes.

So, when you analyse this from a logical standpoint, things are exactly as they seem. It may not be as you would want it to be, but it is exactly as it seems...