Do we need to declare gifts at Customs?

[captaind & Linston]

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

[wrtiii]

...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

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.

[jamaicajeanne]

Very interesting.

[captaind & Linston]

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

[agregory]

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

[wrtiii]

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?

[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).



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...

[captaind & Linston]

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).



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

[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.

[Rob]

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!