Originally Posted by
*vi*
Rob,
The custom form reads:
"I am bringing: (a) fruits, plants, cut flowers, vegetables, soil, meat, live animals and organisms, honey, wildlife products, plant material, food, animal products or live birds. Yes or No"
Directly over the signature line, this can’t be ignored
"I declare that the information given at the front and reverse of this form is true and correct. I understand that the failure to make a full declaration is an offence and may result in fines, forfeiture of the goods and/or imprisonment. I also understand that I have the right to appeal. 6 Country of Issue: Other (Please state) (a) fruits, plants, cut flowers, vegetables, soil, meat, live animals and organisms, honey, wildlife products, plant material, food, animal products or live birds."
On the back,
"If you are in doubt, declare all your goods to the Customs Officer"
So instead of checking “no” which would not be the truth, I checked “yes” and listed the items. That’s when the customs officer explained to me that Question 13a is for merchants who import goods to the wharf for resale therefor an official permit is required. That made sense to me. Fruits, plants, cut flowers, vegetation in mass quantities can present potential infestations of some sort if they were not declared and inspected upon arrival. He was stern in telling me I was not violating any law and not to list foods, in this case limes, for personal consumption on the customs form.
How can you say I am “suggesting that others should break the law” when according to the experience I related I was told by the authorities who make the laws and are paid to enforce the laws inform me I’m NOT breaking the law? If anything I was guilty of wasting their time.
I know you are adamant about not tolerating wrong information to be posted on Negril.com. I definitely support that effort. When I realized, by Bnewb’s and your responses to my statements and my explanations, there was a possible conflict of the understanding of the “restriction” and who it is directed to I respectfully suggested you provide the reason customs (the law enforcers) allow me and many others to continually take fruit into Jamaica freely, without legal repercussions. Or perhaps ask a customs official to interpret that particular question on the customs form to see if it matches the one I received from a customs official.
IMO you receiving then communicating official clarification would be a more constructive way to administratively provide your readers with the correct information than to publicly accuse someone of doing something illegal.