I think things are changing in Jamaica and I think it's going to be harder to get things into the country than before. The Jamaican government has recognized that many of it's people are living abroad and many taxable items are coming into the country through baggage and over sized baggage.
This is what happened to us;
We wanted to bring a bicycle down as my wife rides every day. West Jet web site says a boxed up bike will be no problem as long as the linear dimensions (H + L + W) =118 inches or less. We bought a bike at Canadian Tire and left it in the box, partially assembled. Linear dimension was 92 inches. We called West Jet to advised them of the over sized bag and they said, no. Initially we were told it was because of the small 737 planes West Jet fly's and they couldn't accommodate over sized baggage. This we later found was not true. I called Air Canada and they said a boxed up bike would be absolutely no problem, so we booked with Air Canada. After talking with some friends in Jamaica, doing some considerable research, and finally talking to someone at West Jet that knew what they were talking about, we found- big problem. The no over sized baggage is a Jamaican government rule, not airline policy. The government calls it an embargo. Jamaica, Trinidad, and Dominica are the only countries that have this embargo and because of the taxable items entering the country and not claimed. Baggage coming into Jamaica must be 62 linear inches or less even through the rest of the world is 118" The only exception to the rule is golf clubs.
What this boils down too, I don't know, but I would suspect the government recognizes the lost income and are clamping down on over sized and excessive baggage. I would expect more checks at customs and people with excessive baggage will be checked more. Just my opinion though, and I don't don't agree with Rob. Tax on items entering the country is a hug source of income for the government.
