Do we need to declare gifts at Customs?

[wrtiii]

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.