Coming thru customs with donations and gifts

[Gailieb]

Just wondered what the process is for coming thru customs in Montego Bay after we land (only 38 more days woohoo~!)

On another board there was discussion about declaring items - do we need to declare a small amount of school supplies?
How about a new Dremel and a box of attachments which is a gift for our Jamaican friend (Dremel cost us $100, the attachments $30)

I need to kinow whether I tick the box "yes we have something to declare" or not.....

Oh and on that note, I've also read that each family member has to fill out the customs form and then again I've read only one form per family. Who has it on good authority which is correct? I want to be prepared instead of scrambling and filling out two more forms vs. only one.

[nutz4travel]

You need to each fill out the front (immigration stuff); the customs is on the back and is 1 per family, but I usually do it for each of us to be safe

[Madmolecule]

We went through last week with a box of school supplies to donate. We were using the arrival assistance. Our escort instructed my wife not say there were school supplies in the box. Of course I was pussing the cart and did not here the instructions. When I was asked I said school supplies, which got us two additional inspections. They ended up letting us take them through but they seemed annoyed and were acting like they were doing our escort a favor in letting us bring them. I never heard what we were supposed to say was in the box.

[Bnewb]

If you are leaving anything behind you have to declare it.
I've seen advice given to take the chance and not say anything on the Customs forms or to the officers...but the reality of that is if you are caught you can be fined, jailed & deported depending on the officer you're dealing with...it's illegal to lie on the forms. And, yes we do know people that this has happened!

School supplies they don't usually have a problem with...others on the board here can give you good advice on what to say or do to get through without problems. But, the Dremel will definitely be an issue...you'll be required to pay duty on that item...bring your receipts.

[poolguywindsor]

They are customs agents, and there job is to collect duty on goods being imported, that being said if you tell them what you have and its of any value, espeacially electronics, they will most likely make you pay. Small amounts of school supplies should not be a problem.

[captaind]

I've never declared anything. Including a complete clutch kit for a pickup in my suitcase.

Never been asked but I have enough documentation to claim "personal use"

Otherwise, as a tourist you will be subject to duty. Like "what does a tourist need with a Dremel tool"

I don't see any aggressive searches coming in the green line.

If it's in your suitcase and you don't look like a pack mule you're probably OK

In any case all it will cost is money

Cap

[Gailieb]

Thank you for the responses. What should I expect to pay for duty?

[Hussyband]

I've never declared anything. Including a complete clutch kit for a pickup in my suitcase.

Never been asked but I have enough documentation to claim "personal use"

Otherwise, as a tourist you will be subject to duty. Like "what does a tourist need with a Dremel tool"

I don't see any aggressive searches coming in the green line.

If it's in your suitcase and you don't look like a pack mule you're probably OK

In any case all it will cost is money

Cap

A clutch kit?? For heavens sake, is there anything you HAVEN't taken down there. I thought the chainsaw was the penultimate....