Bonaire airport customs starting to tax personal baggage items

[tursiops]

I'll be arriving there on 3/22, we'll have typical mid range dive gear for two, and about $1600 in photo gear. I don't expect to raise any eyebrows, but I'll post my experience here.

I agree. I see no issues unless you are trying to bring in some incredibly expensive/voluminous photo/dive gear, and -- at worse -- you get your money back when you leave with it.

 

[BoltSnap]

I agree. I see no issues unless you are trying to bring in some incredibly expensive/voluminous photo/dive gear, and -- at worse -- you get your money back when you leave with it.

So, is it OK for somebody who has expensive UW photography equipment, let's say around $15K, to have to pay taxes upfront and worry about getting it back later? Is this a standard practice anywhere else?

 

[tursiops]

So, is it OK for somebody who has expensive UW photography equipment, let's say around $15K, to have to pay taxes upfront and worry about getting it back later? Is this a standard practice anywhere else?

I'm not going to play "gotcha" with you.
There is no evidence Bonaire's policies have changed; one report of a DPV being looked at and paperwork being requested to ensure it gets taken out of the country again.
Meanwhile, thousands of expensive cameras and dive gear being brought in.
I really don't see a problem.
And you can argue/explain in English.
And don't get righteous and uppity with a customs agent is always good advice.

 

[arew+4]

So, is it OK for somebody who has expensive UW photography equipment, let's say around $15K, to have to pay taxes upfront and worry about getting it back later? Is this a standard practice anywhere else?

I agree it seems a little extra, what about the non diver with a $25,000 Rolex or $1,000,000 Patek Philippe on their wrist?

 

[BoltSnap]

I'm not going to play "gotcha" with you.
There is no evidence Bonaire's policies have changed; one report of a DPV being looked at and paperwork being requested to ensure it gets taken out of the country again.
Meanwhile, thousands of expensive cameras and dive gear being brought in.
I really don't see a problem.
And you can argue/explain in English.
And don't get righteous and uppity with a customs agent is always good advice.

What's wrong with you? You didn't have your Wheaties today?

 

[BoltSnap]

I agree it seems a little extra, what about the non diver with a $25,000 Rolex or $1,000,000 Patek Philippe on their wrist?

I can't wait for your report.

 

[arew+4]

I can't wait for your report.

Though I was replying to some one else at first.

Report should be rather uneventful, I rock a G-Shock with a step counter, because FitBits didn't like to go diving.

@tursiops ,
You say this is no big deal, but let's say you have 20k in photo equipment you pay your refundable tax of $1600, on the day you leave the tax man is on extended lunch break, or out with a stomach bug etc. now you miss your flight or surrender your $1600. But it's no big deal right?

 

[tursiops]

@tursiops ,
You say this is no big deal, but let's say you have 20k in photo equipment you pay your refundable tax of $1600, on the day you leave the tax man is on extended lunch break, or out with a stomach bug etc. now you miss your flight or surrender your $1600. But it's no big deal right?

You can invent all kinds of nasty scenarios. But remember it is a single non-separable piece of equipment worth more the $5000 that rings the bell.

 

[arew+4]

You can invent all kinds of nasty scenarios. But remember it is a single non-separable piece of equipment worth more the $5000 that rings the bell.

One could argue that an underwater photography system is a single item as any one piece cannot complete the designated activity alone. So your 3k camera with a lens and 2k housing and a strobe is well over your $5k exemption. I realize it's a bit far fetched and I don't think many people will have to deal with it, but the abuse of this type thing that occurs in Mexico is well documented, and so it warrants paying attention to.

 

[Damselfish]

You can invent all kinds of nasty scenarios. But remember it is a single non-separable piece of equipment worth more the $5000 that rings the bell.

Until someone interprets the rules their own way. Sounds too much like a story from Mexico.

My husband carries what I consider way too much camera gear and would be a good candidate for getting hit. ( I thought his latest camera would be smaller, boy was I silly. Then he discovered his old strobes aren't compatible, and dropped $900 each on 2 new strobes. ) Even a hint this could happen would stop him from going there. Theoretical issue for us, since we lost interest in Bonaire long ago. But not tourist friendly.