Hi All,
Just thought this is something all you travelers to TB may want to keep in mind if you travel on Air Jamaica.

Air Jamaica tightens baggage allowance for economy pax (09/27/2005)

MIAMI -- Air Jamaica will reduce the free baggage allowance for economy passengers from 70 pounds to 50 pounds per bag, effective Oct. 6.
Passengers can check two bags, weighing up to 50 pounds a piece with a total dimension of 62 inches, free of charge. Bags between 50 and 70 pounds will be charged $25 per piece. Luggage over 70 pounds will not be accepted as checked baggage and will have to be shipped as cargo.
First-class passengers can still check two bags up to 70 pounds each free of charge.
Carry-on items will be restricted to two pieces free of charge. Passengers will be allowed to carry on a third piece only if there is space within the cabin, but will have to pay $75 for the extra piece.
The carriers said the changes are in accordance with current industry standards, which mandate stringent weight requirements.

The rising gas price have dem a suffer the poor

Air Jamaica has some GREAT specials out right now in Florida! $178 from Miami or Ft. Lauderdale and also $199 from Orlando. Sounds like a wonderful time to go home to me!!!

Its a real shame to see what Air Jamaica is doing
with their baggage weight. Their planes are always delaying, people can't get to go where they going on time. On top of that at the aiports in Jamaica they charge u for eveything u bring in the country.

All airlines are affected by this ruling as of Oct. With rising gas costs, the only other alternative would be higher fares. If the average airbus/airplane used just 1% less fuel, it would save over 32,000 US gallons of fuel per year. Fossil fuel emmisions from one plane alone would be reduced by 318 tons of CO2, over 2,000 tons NO2 among other toxic waste. Increased pollution from fossil fuels = increased global warming = warmer waters at the equator, and ,since the environmental job of hurricanes is to dissipate heat way from the equator = bigger and more frequent hurricanes.
In view of the overall picture , then, I applaud this approach by the Airlines.Also, the size of the allowable luggage remains the same , so one can bring the same volumn of items , just 20lbs.less.
Happy Travels.

I would rather them adjust their weight restrictions to comply with the current standards and feel safer, than to allow people to continue to bring these oversized/overweight pieces of luggage onto the aircrafts. Truth is that some of the tax that customs charges is sometimes a bit ridiculous, however some of the things that people choose to bring into Jamaica is simply just to say that it's from "foreign". If they really did some research, there are items that are actually cheaper in Jamaica than abroad.

The age-old custom of feeling obligated to bring back loads of gifts to family and friends from foreign is one of the major reasons (besides corruption)that the Jamaican economy is in such big trouble. Buy Jamaican, shop in Jamaica, big up Jamaica.

Gasoline has nothing to do with weight, the airline is in trouble and they want to charge for for the overweight. I have nothing against the airline, I understand some things are cheaper in Jamaica, but don't charge people for their pearsonal items. It has happen to me .

I will agree with curious that passengers going to Jamaica from the United States are inclined to pack the "KITCHEN SINK" in their suitcases when the same items can be bought right there in Jamaica and "YES" sometimes at even cheaper prices.
I had not been home for a few years and was shocked to see the well stocked grocery stores with the same items as here in the States.
Let us Save that money we would pay for those over-weight cases plus the tax that Custom charges and give it to some unfortunate people who do not have jobs or just cannot work because of sickness etc,etc but,at the same time have small children that are in need of food and clothing.I hope everyone will understand what I'm trying to get across and let us all work to accomplish this especially at Christmas time when most people seems to travel and the little ones would love to get a gift.

I have nothing against adjusting to the overweight, but at the same time If u are overweight the airline still charge you It's all about money. Its not about fuel cost. The reason why people from the United States have to take their kitchen sink is because some people in Jamaica that really in need, and their is some who are just being greedy. I dont think will last for long. they will be changing soon.

That will definately lower the amount of items brought by visitors to "leave" in jamaica. Chripes, one year my friend packed a whole suitcase full of "stuff," books, clothes, etc... to donate to whoever. This year I recon it'll be our own clothes only? (nah) =)

I used to try to bring things for my friends kids. Last time customs got me. They charged me $40 US for items that did not cost $40 US. Two of the big Florida T-shirts she insisted I pay duty on were for me for the beach (and I got 6 for $10 US at the flea market).

This reduction in allowed baggage and my last brush with customs will mean that I can not afford to carry things for friends.

The people that work at the customs are just green with envy and that is why sometimes they take out their frustrations on us and charge us for items that they should not at all do.I can understand certain big ticketed items but not clothing. I will just take all my old clothes when i go and then see what will happen.
Now we can have reasons not to take anything for anyone and BLAME it all on customs.
We all know we are not allowed fruits and meat so let us obey because, if they take those items away we all know they keep them for themselves (so don't bring them gifts).

With Air Canada we can still take the same AMOUNT of "stuff", just LIGHTER items.
....No need to fret!
Stuffed animals, plastic toys and kitchen items, used chidren`s clothing etc. etc.It is possible to fill a suitcase and still be 50lbs.
I have been through customs several times in the past decade, fully laden with articles that were obviously not for me, and have never been charged a cent.
Lucky? ..YES!!.... But a Prayer (and a smile )go along way.
I will continue to fill my two BIG suitcases.
Bon Voyage!!

Custom in Jamaica is so corrupt that one custom officer told me to put money in my passport and give it go her, aal i have was my personal stuff
she told me she could charge me a lot of money
because i have an American Passport. It's a shame
of whats happening in our country, They reduced
the weight and we still have to put up with custom and digging up people luggage.

Is a receipt given when you are charged by customs in Jamaica?
Please inform me on this as I'm about to visit and would like to take some small items as gifts.
What do they usually charge for and how much in way of percentage.Some good info would be greatly appreciated.

Monique, that sounds terrible. Has that happened more than once? I've fortunately never had any problem with customs coming into Mo Bay or Kingston.

Customs tips:
1) The more times you've visited Jamaica, the more likely you are to be directed to the 'something to declare lines' whether you do or not
2) Male rather than female inspectors are on the rule less hassling/overbearing/'empowered' and greedy
3) Never wrap gifts. Pack tissue/wrapping paper/cards/ribbon etc. separately
4) If you think you might be dutied, bring receipts even for used goods/make receipts for items you don't have same for
5) Though inspectors will consult a duty book, the amount of duty and what might be dutied is totally arbitrary and subject to the whim of the day.
6) Electronics, sheets/bedding are the most likely items to be charged a duty. Take things out of their original packaging and use 'em -- therefore they're used with a lesser value.
7) Smile alot/do not attempt to bribe
8) Travel with tots

Hi
Sounds as though you have all had so many problems at customs...is this an American problem as we have travelled 6 times from England,to Mo Bay and Kingston and never had anything like this happen. Each time we have brought presents for friends and family...just wondered if anyone from England had had the same experiences as others on the site?
Barbara

I think it is partly luck.


I think maybe because I flew in from Fort Lauderdale (the off shore JA parish) my flight was late and the airport was slow. They also look at how often you are there.

no probs all i had was my persoanl items . I had no appliances absoutely nothing to declare, I was so turned off. so i want people to be aware of what is happening, I hope u won't have that problem.

It, not American problem It a Jamacian / American problem.I was told by some people when going to Jamaica i should take my Jamaican Passport instead. These custom officers are very greedy, please stop doing this to your fellow Jamaican.

Customs is not an 'equal opportunity discriminator' in Jamaica. Jamaicans returning home, naturalized U.S. citizens who are Jamaican
originally, and blacks get singled out more often than whites for less-than-civil treatment.
Forewarned is always forearmed. Be nonchalant, civil, confident, yet firm. Have the answers that benefit YOU ready to their questions -- and use all packing/receipt tips you can glean from other travellers. You may be dutied on some such or other -- but by and far, the majority of goods you're bringing in can get in, without duty. If you have to think like a smuggler, so be it.
Tools/car equipment are other 'dead-giveaways'
for duty. However, refrigerators shipped piecemeal in duffel bags over multiple trips
have gotten thru without duty. It's all, as one poster sagely noted, in the luck of the draw.

I was actually planning on bringing a microwave with me in January. I don't need it, and it's not that big (but it is heavy). I'm chuckling at the prospect of taking the door off and putting it in my friends bag, the glass tray in another bag... lol You really shipped a refrigerator like that? I gotta ask... HOW!?!?!

I'm a white American and was only carrying clothing. No appliances.

Let us all as Jamaicans get the right information on what should/should not be charged for at Customs.If someone should tell me to put money in my passport and pass it to them so as not to be charged for items i brought in (that would be dealt with right there and then.

That should have been reported immediately.
Monique do not let that happen to you again. Please,please,report it.

M: In duffel bags, over a series of trips, various friends. But rather than dismantling your microwave, check appliance stores on island to see what microwave prices range -- since you may pay up to/even over 100% of retail value in duty. The best customs story heard to date:a half-million dollar piece of medical equipment, shipped in as 'an ice cream maker'.

For a Home Depot-like source for appliances, tools, materials, STUART'S/STEWART'S in Maypen
brings in its own container loads.

The duty tax for electronic items is 50% of it's value plus 16.5% General Consumption Tax. However, as someone stated earlier, the 'book value' can vary greatly.

I have found over the years of attempting to carry electronics in, that it is just plain easier (and many times cheaper) just to buy it here and avoid all the hassles.

The duty tax for a TV, for example, can run as high as 110%. So that little Radio Shack special in the States costs double to bring in to island, let alone all the weight to lug.

Just so I'm clear on this...duty is only being charged on items brought into Jamaica? All I plan to carry is clothing and toiletries. No cell phones, no computers, just personal items. I do, however, intend to return to the states with souvenirs. Should I expect a hassle at customs?

What about cameras and video cameras? Will I be charged for bringing those into Jamaica?

I'm sure the expect vistors to have a camera. But, don't have MANY cameras.

Well, I would imagine that customs would "believe" that those items, (the camera, video cam) belong to you, and you intend on returning home with those items. I've never been bothered about my camera, and last year I even brought my laptop (to dump camera pictures into) and they didn't even question it. I carried it right on the plane.

The weirdest thing that I've encountered in customs was when the lady rummaging through my suitcase asked if I had any food. I assumed she meant "bringing produce" from the island home with me. I said, "no."

She repeated her self again, and what she was asking me is if I actually had any food... for her!! All I had left in my pocket was a bunch of Jamaican coins, so I gave em to her. She also eyeballed my listerine "orange" flavored mouth wash! We had a long discussion about that too.
-shrug- maybe she had plaque.