customs - montego bay

[jellybean]

Does anyone know what you are allowed to take into Jamaica. Customs always want to know if you have any gifts - why? - do they want them for themselves.

[ECO]

I'm interested in the answer as well. I didn't get along well with the customs agent who gave me a hard time when I landed in Mobay. Since they are the first Jamaican that a tourist sees they should do their best to smile while they carry out their duties. If you are able to bring in a certain amount of gifts it would be easier if the amount was declared so everyone didn't have to lie and say no.

[Lillywight]

I'm interested in the answer as well. I didn't get along well with the customs agent who gave me a hard time when I landed in Mobay. Since they are the first Jamaican that a tourist sees they should do their best to smile while they carry out their duties. If you are able to bring in a certain amount of gifts it would be easier if the amount was declared so everyone didn't have to lie and say no.

I agree with you, Eco. If I knew how much was allowed, I'd be better off. Instead, I'm all nervous they're going to snatch me from the line, open my bags and find my gifts for friends and bust me with a high duty I can't pay. It sucks going through customs. I almost have a myocardial infarction every time!

[Tequila and Lime]

Well, my experience sucks. I had a bag of toys and gifts at Christmas one year for the family. I had ALL the receipts and tags on everything. The duty was more then what I paid for the stupid stuff. I was pissed.

After that, I denied everything. I once had 3 razr's in my purse and lied with a poker face. They weren't gifts, so I, technically, didn't lie.

[ECO]

I got bitched at for writing the contact info for my friends in Jamaica on one of the first pages of my passport. It was one of those pages with useless info so I figured what was the harm in writing some notes on it.Come to find out the page did say something about not writing on it or in the passport--I'll post exactly what it says at some point.

[On Vacation]

Customs + smile = oxymoron.

I've taken a computer to Jamaica before, for donation to a school. If you have a letter stating its a donation they don't bother you.

And I've smuggled 12 pairs of flip-flops in for someone. That would have only been a problem if they'd checked.

[Wahoo]

I hope they'll believe me when I explain the gross of condoms in my suitcase is for my personal use during my 3-night stay.

[ECO]

I hope they'll believe me when I explain the gross of condoms in my suitcase is for my personal use during my 3-night stay.

Ever you ever thought of wearing them all at once so customs doesn't find them in your luggage?

[Tequila and Lime]

I hope they'll believe me when I explain the gross of condoms in my suitcase is for my personal use during my 3-night stay.

Ever you ever thought of wearing them all at once so customs doesn't find them in your luggage?

Ha ha.....would be funny if he was stripped searched! I would LOVE to be in the room for the interrogation.

[jellybean]

I don't know whether it is true or not but I was told it is always better when they ask you where you are staying to say a hotel or villa rather than give someones address.

[ECO]

I don't know whether it is true or not but I was told it is always better when they ask you where you are staying to say a hotel or villa rather than give someones address.

Lol, I was asked 50 questions and given a hard time since I stayed in a home and not at a hotel. The customs guy had my form and felt the need to ask me all about the guy's house where I was staying. I kept telling him if he can't read the information off the form or from my passport to give them back and I would read the info to him. He seemed somewhat shocked that I was staying with somebody that I did not know and equally as shocked that someone would open up their home for me.

I don't really like the idea of telling them a white lie but if it will save me 15 minutes of their silly ass 50 questions game it might be worth it.

I wonder what would happen if I was just honest and told the guy I was staying with his momma, sister and wife?

[ECO]

What makes me laugh about Jamaica customs/immigration is when they stamp in your passport "Not allowed to stay longer than xx days" or whatever the wording is.

I mean what are they gonna do if you over stay? Hunt you down and deport you?

Do they actually deport people from Jamaica?

It would be a cheap ride home if they did! You should try it both ways- tell the UK that you are a Jamaican and you need to be deported, once your vacation in Jamaica is over do the same to get home.

[jellybean]

I wonder how many overstayers there are in Jamaica?

The immigration / customs officers need customer service training the way they handle some people.

[Tequila and Lime]

I don't know whether it is true or not but I was told it is always better when they ask you where you are staying to say a hotel or villa rather than give someones address.

Oh, absolutly. Learned that the hard way.

[jellybean]

How did you all get on at customs - did they search your bags.

[Lillywight]

I've never had my bags searched by customs. Probably a good thing too. I'd have a hard time explaining some of the stuff in my bags.

On the way through in Miami -- they told me I'd have to "speak with another officer" . . . and then they said I didn't have to?!?

[damswell]

i only had one time they questioned me when i had 2 big suitcases, and because it was full of kids stuff and mens, i said my husband and kids were coming in a few days. They tend to question more when they see you there often and close together

[ECO]

I got searched when I went to board the plane for the ride home. They spent a bunch of time going through my camera bag, my suitcase and for some reason my shoes. Since I was not bringing home anything illegal I was fine with the search.

[ECO]

BB, I got searched after the x-ray machines where I had already taken my shoes off.

[ECO]

BB, I got searched after the x-ray machines where I had already taken my shoes off.

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh did you still have the look of weed smoking on your face?

You must be an alter of mine........no clue how you get in my head or are really lucky with guesses! I would mention that I enjoyed some ganja before my flight but you already knew that.