Customs Question

[takinitslow]

Thanks for the advice. I think i will be passing on bringing it not worth the hassel. And not willing to break any laws to be nice.

[Delta]

Takin - Personally I would say pass on the tv for no other reason then luggage fees. You have a good heart bringing a tv for someone but is there another way to can assist (again the luggage fees!) LOL

[Ohio_Buckeye_1]

Read my exact words again. I thought before I posted and chose my words carefully - so I would NOT be telling them to lie. I only gave the OP a valid reason they would bring a small, used TV that would not subject them to duty.

If they decide at the end of their vacation, they don't want to bring it back - for instance, not enough room in the suitcase with all the souveniers - that does not mean they lied on any forms when entering the country. As long as they haven't actually made up their minds to leave it, when filling out the forms, they are not lying.

As far as prices, I'm in this exact position for my upcoming trip - trying to decide whether to bring down a TV for my home in Negril or buy in Jamaica. Believe me, I've been trying to find on-line prices for TVs in Jamaica - there is very little on-line info. Courts is one of the few - but still very limited. I am seeing prices at least double what I can buy for in U.S. So even paying the extra bag fee to make it one of my checked bags - it looks like I am saving $100's. Granted this is for a new flat screen TV, not a used 19" old-style tube TV.

If someone can definitely tell me where there is an electronics store between MoBay and Negril, or Negril and Sav, where I can get a 32" or so TV for about $300US - that would save me a big hassle. I'll buy you lunch.

[Rob]

Read my exact words again. I thought before I posted and chose my words carefully - so I would NOT be telling them to lie. I only gave the OP a valid reason they would bring a small, used TV that would not subject them to duty.

If they decide at the end of their vacation, they don't want to bring it back - for instance, not enough room in the suitcase with all the souveniers - that does not mean they lied on any forms when entering the country. As long as they haven't actually made up their minds to leave it, when filling out the forms, they are not lying.

As far as prices, I'm in this exact position for my upcoming trip - trying to decide whether to bring down a TV for my home in Negril or buy in Jamaica. Believe me, I've been trying to find on-line prices for TVs in Jamaica - there is very little on-line info. Courts is one of the few - but still very limited. I am seeing prices at least double what I can buy for in U.S. So even paying the extra bag fee to make it one of my checked bags - it looks like I am saving $100's. Granted this is for a new flat screen TV, not a used 19" old-style tube TV.

If someone can definitely tell me where there is an electronics store between MoBay and Negril, or Negril and Sav, where I can get a 32" or so TV for about $300US - that would save me a big hassle. I'll buy you lunch.

I read your words very carefully and the original poster stated quite clearly that the TV was not for their personal use and they were bringing it down to resell to their friend. They had already made up their mind. Your alternative suggestion as to why they would be bringing it down is not the truth in this situation. To suggest they use it amounts to asking them to lie to the Jamaican government.

Please dont think that the customs agents are not aware of the various scams that visitors, expats and even returning Jamaicans try to use to justify their intention to get around the laws. They are fully aware of them and have ways to deal with them. In this case, should they not believe the "tv for my own personal use in a room with no tv" scenario, they will often make the visitor pay duty on the tv, then ask them to keep the receipt and present it when they return to customs WITH the tv for a refund. If the visitor claims they decided to leave it behind or claims it was "stolen", then no refund is given.

As for the TVs available on the island, I would check Courts, Mega Mart and ATL once you are on the island - all are on the way to Negril from the Montego Bay airport. Not all their products are on their websites. They always have other items in stock that they do not mention on the internet. We saw several new flat screenTVs under $200us in the stores just last week - and none are listed on the websites.

As pointed out by RockRobster, bringing in a new tv for your home here in Negril is exactly why duty is charged on items. To get a duty free exemption you would have to fill out more government forms and show proof of property ownership, your government issued TRN as well as all the receipts for the various items you are bringing in. And please note, if you do plan to live in another country, it is always wise to actively support the economy of that country. It will be to your future benefit to help the economy grow.

[Lola]

Rob posted: "As for the TVs available on the island, I would check Courts, Mega Mart and ATL once you are on the island - all are on the way to Negril from the Montego Bay airport."

What store is ATL, is that the full store name or short for....? And what town is it in?

Thanks for posting the availability and approximate costs, info much appreciated!

[Accompong]

Rob posted: "As for the TVs available on the island, I would check Courts, Mega Mart and ATL once you are on the island - all are on the way to Negril from the Montego Bay airport."

What store is ATL, is that the full store name or short for....? And what town is it in?

Thanks for posting the availability and approximate costs, info much appreciated!

I believe it stands for Appliance Traders Limited in Kingston.
Peace and Guidance

[BCBud]

Attached is info on ATL's store in Montego Bay (including map for its location)
http://www.blurtlive.com/business/Ap...e-Traders-Ltd4

[Ohio_Buckeye_1]

...They had already made up their mind. Your alternative suggestion as to why they would be bringing it down is not the truth in this situation. To suggest they use it amounts to asking them to lie to the Jamaican government.

I'll second your advice on this much - don't do illegal things, especially in a foreign country. You're talking to a guy who doesn't smoke in JA and declared coffee and spices when coming back into the US my first trip - because I didn't know for sure whether you had to or not. I am one who believes in following the rules - but also in taking advantage of flaws in the rules. Note I am not saying break the rules, I am saying follow them to the letter - so strictly to the letter that they actually benefit you.

In JA they have red tape and rules that are insane. When you think about it - these rules are almost comical. In this case we are talking about, it's not what is in your baggage that determines whether it is declarable, it's what is in your head. Since if you intend to return with it, it's your personal possession and there is no duty. But the exact same item, if you intend to gift it - you should declare it and pay duty. So I say don't lie about a reason - just truly change your reason. Nothing says you can't change your mind later. That's why I think this is insane.

So I admit I could have expanded on my reply - like I tried in the 2nd post - and what I said just above. I could have said explicitly I was telling the OP to change his mind on why he was bringing it down - since that's all it takes to be able to be within the rules. But I took a short cut in saying what is the same thing - if you read my exact words - so I'll take my lumps. Everyting criss, mon.

But that might only go as far as living with yourself about being a good person. I also agree if your item is found, you might have a hard time convincing the customs guy you're being honest it's your personal item. I don't know what they do in that case - do you pay duty and keep your paperwork, then collect a refund when you leave the island taking the item with you, proving to them you were telling the truth all along? Doubtful.

[Sweetness]

Duh - I see from your profile you are in Dayton. Disregard my question.

[Rob]

In JA they have red tape and rules that are insane. When you think about it - these rules are almost comical. In this case we are talking about, it's not what is in your baggage that determines whether it is declarable, it's what is in your head. Since if you intend to return with it, it's your personal possession and there is no duty. But the exact same item, if you intend to gift it - you should declare it and pay duty. So I say don't lie about a reason - just truly change your reason. Nothing says you can't change your mind later. That's why I think this is insane.

OB,

It comes down to simply being honest. If you bring an electronic item down for your personal use, customs expects you to take it back with you. If you do not take it back with you, this is not what is keeping with the "personal use" concept (please dont confuse this with something that you can "use up" like soap, shampoo, etc). So yes, if you fail to bring back an electronic item that was declared as "personal use", whether you want to believe it or not, you are breaking the law.

Jamaica is NOT the only country that does this. There are restrictions in the US and Canada as well for items that come in the respective countries. There is nothing comical about it - the rules are set up to protect each country's economy.