Gifts

[WhoDoHedoWeDo]

What is the worst thing that can happen if you are bringing some small gifts into Jamaica but do not claim them at customs?

[FunFlirt]

What is the worst thing that can happen if you are bringing some small gifts into Jamaica but do not claim them at customs?

We claimed ours last year without any issue at all. In fact, it got us through customs faster!

[ShyinOntario]

I assume you mean gifts of small value for either Hedo staff or returning friends from your group that don't fall under other declaration categories like alcohol or cigarettes...

Since customs don't inventory your suitcase on the way into the country, there really isn't any way for them to know that you're not bringing the same amount home. This means it would be very difficult to catch you.

The declarations are really for Jamaican residents returning home or people travelling with commercial goods.

If you were to somehow get caught, you'd be looking at some sort of fine or more likely, a warning. If you really got on their bad side, they could potentially (but very unlikely) make you inadmissible into Jamaica and send you home (not Home like Hedo, home as in where you live the rest of the time) at your expense.

I would just recommend you leave the gift wrapping until after you arrive so that even if they do look through your suitcase, you can just say these are your belongings which you intend to use for a theme night or something... come to think of it, if they open your suitcase when travelling to Hedo, I would think that they'd be too busy looking at the costumes, lubricants, sex toys to even notice any gifts.

Happy travels.

[NatAndRob]

Generally there is an exempt dollar amount for gifts - if what you are bringing in is under $xxx in value, you don't have to claim it for customs purposes. Worth checking on.

-R

[L&I]

There is a US$500 allowance on "personal" items that every person entering the country is allowed. As ShyinOntario noted, this restriction is for us locals or commercial goods.

If you are entering Jamaica via Montego Bay, as a tourist, you are most likely to be waved through without any hassle. The more "touristy" you look, the faster you will get through!! So wear that ugly Hawaiian shirt your wife hates and top it off with a Panama hat!!!!!

[CapnMorgan]

There is a US$500 allowance on "personal" items that every person entering the country is allowed. As ShyinOntario noted, this restriction is for us locals or commercial goods.

If you are entering Jamaica via Montego Bay, as a tourist, you are most likely to be waved through without any hassle. The more "touristy" you look, the faster you will get through!! So wear that ugly Hawaiian shirt your wife hates and top it off with a Panama hat!!!!!

Socks and sandals would also make a nice accessory for that ensemble! lol

[ShyinOntario]

Generally there is an exempt dollar amount for gifts - if what you are bringing in is under $xxx in value, you don't have to claim it for customs purposes. Worth checking on.

-R

Just FYI... even if you are below the exemption amount, you still need to claim it (technically).

For example: the exemption limit on spirits is 1 liter, and you have one bottle of rum which contains 750 ml... you still have to declare the bottle of rum on your form. Same with food products, cigarettes, etc... you must declare those items even if you are below the quantity for which you may have to pay import duties or if you know the product is allowed into the country... you must still declare.

Gifts are a little different... these are things that would not normally need to be declared at all, but are noted because you are basically importing something into the country (if you don't take it home with you). They make you declare gifts because it is a common way for people (in the past) to import expensive items and not pay import duties/taxes on those items. You must still technically declare gifts, even of small value, but provided the gift does not also fall under some other declarable category (i.e. alcohol, cigarettes, etc.) it would be very difficult for any customs agent to prove that those items are gifts vs. your personal items that you intend on taking home with you.

If you don't mind answering a couple extra questions at the customs counter and possibly prompting a search of your bag, then just declare them. If you don't want to be bothered and don't mind telling a small lie... don't declare them, and if you get searched, just say they are for you and you will be taking them home with you.

[Mr&MrsKaboom]

What would some useful gifts be? I'm thinking school supplies? I'd rather bring something that would really be helpful as opposed to lotions etc. Any suggestions are appreciated.

[ChiTownHedoCpl]

School supplies are definitely useful but there are other things that people bring once they have done a few trips to hedo. for example we will be going on our third trip in March 2017 and we are going to be bring some soccer jerseys for some of the workers there who we have gotten to know. We know there are some more immediate needs but because of our conversations with some employees and their fervor for some soccer clubs we want to make them happy with a few jerseys. it is also a very easy gift to bring into jamaica since they cannot possibly argue we did bring them to wear ourselves. that is unless they ask my wife to wear a men's medium jersey and let me tell you I want to see that. talk about boob overspill!!!