Does anyone knows whats the percentage that customs charge at the airport on electronics. I want to bring my grandma a t.v as hers is broken it would cost me $140 u.s.so i need to find out how much it would cost all together.or would it be cheaper buying it in j.a.
I think it's like 100 - 125 %. It may be cheaper to buy one in Jamaica.
Don't know what current duty is, but some time ago
I brought in a small b&w tv for a staffer and the duty was 115%;it's cheaper to buy electronics on island.
Buy on the island. You will save yourself loads of hassle and money and be supporting the local economy.
Is there a charge if you are bringing the items for your own use/ for yourself? We will be visiting during Christmas and I had planned to bring my daughters Christmas presents (includes portable dvd player and mp3 player). Will I have to pay custom charges on these items?
I just had to pay taxes on items I brought in as gifts and supplies for local kids. It was not electronics but it was 38% of what the declared value was. This was as of December 5, 2005
Newbie; these are such small items, I doubt you will be caught with them. If so, explain that they are gifts for your children and you should be okay.
Customs agents typically do not search "tourists" bags. Do not claim anything on the Customs forms and you should breeze through.
Large items like a TV or large stereo will be noticed.
MoBay customs is becoming far tougher, esp.if you're spot checked by a female inspector/always head for the men in the nothing-to-declare green lines. If you travel to island a lot and have many admittance stamps, you're a more likely candidate for redirection to the inspections area. Again, avoid the women and distribute your imports throughhout your checked/carry-on bags,without price tags but with receipts either real or 'made' in your pocket. Customs duty is arbitary and often ruled by the whim of the day and the mood of the inspector . But lately, even school supplies brought in for donation are getting docked. Unfortunately, you need think like a smuggler.
For a small dvd player and mp3, remove all packaging and price tags -- do NOT say they're gifts for your children. They're your own personal property for use on island, right?
Nobody's going to check on the way out that
you somehow 'lost' them.
I am arriving on Thursday and bringing some lotions for the women at my son's school and toiletries for my son. Will these be questioned?
Some might not mention it.
You are entitled to bring a tiny amount -- dollarwise -- into Jamaica for gifts. If, however, your bags are opened by a customs inspector, it will be difficult to prove that what you're bringing falls below those limits; and you'll probably be charged something unless you are carrying the receipts with you. It's far easier to pack whatever small items you're bringing in your own suitcase and just proceeding through the Nothing to Declare Line. Of course, if you have several ("too many" or "too big") suitcases and are staying for just a week or 10 days, you're likely to be questioned about what you're carrying; and you may be asked to open your bags for inspection. Boxes will always be opened, so these are definitely not recommended.
In terms of the percentages charged, they seem to vary from inspector to inspector -- and situation to situation -- even though there is an official book for them to follow. (The same item might be able to be categorized under a number of different headings, with each one bearing a different duty percentage.) My feeling is that the more polite and honest you are in these situations, the less duty you may get charged. In addition to the duty, you also will have to pay GCT on the duty.
Newbie, everyone has given good advice, but remember that the majority of tourists coming in don't get checked.
My advice is to put on a 'Just Happy to Be Here in Your Wonderful Country' smile on your face, go to the Nothing to Declare aisle, and you should be OK.
My 2 cents
-Eric
Traveling from MoBay to TB are there any stores or places to stop and purchase school supplies and footballs also called soccer balls ? I would prefer to buy there and travel light. Thank- You
Nada en route/bring them with you.
Lotions and toiletries will not be questioned. Just pack them in your suitcase and go in the Nothing to Declare line. Everytime I come back from American I have to go in the Something to Declare line as I reside here. They open my bags, see my personal year's supply of toiletries and gifts for several friends and let me go. I never have had to pay any duty on them in my 13 years of traveling here. Electronics and big $$ items is what they are looking for. Lotions and notions are not a priority for them.
Safe travels!
Is there a cover charge for attending the SUPER BOWL PARTY?
No, just support the bar . . . and your favorite team!