Customs in Jamaica

[NatPatBen 3]

Has anyone ever had any experiences when going through customs in Montego Bay?

What happens if you check "Yes" and have to use the red line?

Have you ever checked "No" and actually had them search your bags?

When I went last week, I brought an avocado with me, along with other snacks. As usual, I checked "No" on the customs form because I interpret that to mean that you're bringing something with intent to sell/plant it... not for personal consumption. However, someone else told me that I should've checked yes for the avocado, even if it was for personal consumption. ::shrug::

[Ellsinlove 2]

I've checked 'no' every time because as far as I'm concerned, the goods I bring in have no declarative value. Often times I'm bringing lightly used second-hand clothing or other household items in and a few new gifts but nothing for re-sale so I don't declare it. HOWEVER, EVERY SINGLE TIME I go through the green line with a WOMAN at the desk, she sends me over to the red line for them to go through my bags. I'm getting pretty tired of it but so it go! When I tell them it isn't my first trip into JA, they perk up and send me off for inspection. I think next time I'm gonna lie and say it is. This time I had my carry on, a large suitcase and a smaller duffle bag thinking that with a little less luggage (last time I had a large wheeled duffle as well as the suitcase) that they'd be less inclined to send me through inspection but it still happened. I was so pissed! I was the last person out of the airport during that time of night! They found some nearly new denim jeans and asked if they were mine...I replied, "They were when they could still fit me!" The women in customs seem to give a much harder time to repeat visitors (especially women, Jamaican and otherwise) than the male customs officers.

They've also searched my bags and neglected to put any kind of notice inside but I knew they'd done it because yet another expensive travel lock was now gone. I've lost two now because of either TSA or screening agents in Mobay. I decided to give up on locking my luggage and just not carry anything of value (which I never really do anyway) in my checked bags. Hopefully they won't thief anything I really like out of my bags though.

It's pretty ridiculous that they gave you a hard time about snack food but I'm not surprised really. And I'm no expert on what you have to declare but I know of no rule stating you have to declare food you bring for consumption while travelling. So NO, you don't have to declare that, they were just giving you a hard time. If it comes up again, just play dumb and say you didn't know.

Edited February 20, 2009 by Ellsinlove

[sus 70]

I never saw this post, sorry Nat!

I always go in the Nothing to declare line - and I always pack my bags with stuff rolled together, and make sure to put my shoes and books at the top of the bag = So far, no issues - last trip I had canned goods and stuff in my suitcase, and homemade cookies and bread in my carry on - Still no issues - Ells, I am with you about the locks - Things of value (camera, jewelry, etc..) go in my carry on - I bring a lock with me to use while there, cause I lock stuff in the suitcase when we are not in the room - but I have lost too many locks to bother -

[NatPatBen 3]

Ells, Funny you mention you've only had trouble when in a woman's line. Perhaps it was subconsciously, but I've always chosen to go through lines with men at the end of them. In the six trips I've made recently, I've never been sent to the red line. I barely get asked any questions.

Once, one guy asked me a question, but I didn't understand him. "Can you repeat that?" He said it again and I still didn't understand him, so I just looked at him blankly. He seemed irritated and told me "Just go."

Last time, just two weeks ago, my parents were in line in front of me. The guy saw that we were traveling together, so he just waved me through.

Sus, I also interpret the rule as you do: food for personal consumption is not what they want to know about.

[notmrshamiltonnow 0]

Has anyone ever had any experiences when going through customs in Montego Bay?

What happens if you check "Yes" and have to use the red line?

Have you ever checked "No" and actually had them search your bags?

When I went last week, I brought an avocado with me, along with other snacks. As usual, I checked "No" on the customs form because I interpret that to mean that you're bringing something with intent to sell/plant it... not for personal consumption. However, someone else told me that I should've checked yes for the avocado, even if it was for personal consumption. ::shrug::

I always check no... so far I've haven't had any problems in that area.. I usually bring down food, used clothing for my step daughters, and household items for my hubby.. but where I have my problem is when I go through the line in ins.. if I get a female ins officer.. it never fails.. she gives my HELL!!! ... wanting to why I come so often? how long have I've known my hubby the whole nine yards.. and more!!! but give me a male officer.. and it's all good last time my girlfriend came down to with me and she got her passport taken due to the fact she didn't know the exact name of my hubby's parish.. so she had to wait over an hour for my flight to come in and then we went to the supervisor together. I was ready for fight. because I know how the female officers are.. but of course once I knew all the answeres to her questions and she couldn't do anything but stamp our passports and send us on our way.... I went a lil off topic.. sorry

Blessing 2 all

Edited February 22, 2009 by mrshamilton

[NatPatBen 3]

I always check no... so far I've haven't had any problems in that area.. I usually bring down food, used clothing for my step daughters, and household items for my hubby.. but where I have my problem is when I go through the line in ins.. if I get a female ins officer.. it never fails.. she gives my HELL!!! ... wanting to why I come so often? how long have I've known my hubby the whole nine yards.. and more!!! but give me a male officer.. and it's all good last time my girlfriend came down to with me and she got her passport taken due to the fact she didn't know the exact name of my hubby's parish.. so she had to wait over an hour for my flight to come in and then we went to the supervisor together. I was ready for fight. because I know how the female officers are.. but of course once I knew all the answeres to her questions and she couldn't do anything but stamp our passports and send us on our way.... I went a lil off topic.. sorry

Blessing 2 all

I know! That's where you can't pick your person. I seem to get women more often than not. When I went on November, the woman actually wanted to see proof that I had a return flight! I was thinking, I know Jamaica is beautiful, but do they REALLY have a problem with Americans illegally immigrating there??

But I believe that happened to me because I was a bit too chatty, going on about how much I love visiting Jamaica. I learned my lesson and last time, I only answered what was asked, providing no details.

[sus 70]

I have had issues there a few times with getting a million questions, always when I get a woman as well - One of them, my trip was 10 days, she gave me a stamp that expired in 12 days! Last trip, I had a woman, and when she asked the purpose of my trip, I said it was a birthday gift to myself (I flew down on my bday). She looked at my passport, wished me a happy bday, and stamped me for 6 months!

Going through Kingston, I had no problems, and had a woman each time. Usually, I chat about something I want to see - Nine Mile, Bob Marley's house, Mayfield Falls, etc... they start to talk and get into a conversation about it and don't give me a problem.