Bonaire airport customs starting to tax personal baggage items

[tkaelin]

So last week while walking out from the luggage area I was asked what was in my bags. I said dive gear. I was asked if it was for personal use and was I planning on bringing it back with me. Answer yes. That was it.

My wife had left to get the car and I had two large bags with another slung over my shoulder so I may have looked like I had a lot for one person.

Encounter was about 5 seconds

 

[Jon Nellis]

After a few emails directly to the Bonaire customs general email and also directly to the airport customs supervisors direct email, they never replied to my multiple requests for their written procedures for getting a Temporary Import Document on island or a refund on exit.

I heard from @Rodney H yesterday, after he and his buddy cleared customs at the airport with DPVs and rebreathers. Customs questions were "What is it? who owns the scooter? and would I be taking with me when we leave?" before being allowed through.

There was some speculation that the original person who had their DPV impounded was because he had borrowed it and did not say that he OWNED it, but the other reports from the local import companies about a sudden increase of impounded items by a specific customs individual pointed towards a new, overzealous customs agent.

The point of starting this thread was to raise a community ruckus that worked it's way back to Bonaire customs from multiple angles and quash the shakedown practice before it became normalized. Bonaire airport customs seem to be back to normal, so thank you to everyone who reached out to someone on the island to voice your concerns.

From now on, just make sure that you say that you OWN the item in question and you will be taking it with you when you leave.


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[gbeasley]

After a few emails directly to the Bonaire customs general email and also directly to the airport customs supervisors direct email, they never replied to my multiple requests for their written procedures for getting a Temporary Import Document on island or a refund on exit.

I heard from @Rodney H yesterday, after he and his buddy cleared customs at the airport with DPVs and rebreathers. Customs questions were "What is it? who owns the scooter? and would I be taking with me when we leave?" before being allowed through.

There was some speculation that the original person who had their DPV impounded was because he had borrowed it and did not say that he OWNED it, but the other reports from the local import companies about a sudden increase of impounded items by a specific customs individual pointed towards a new, overzealous customs agent.

The point of starting this thread was to raise a community ruckus that worked it's way back to Bonaire customs from multiple angles and quash the shakedown practice before it became normalized. Bonaire airport customs seem to be back to normal, so thank you to everyone who reached out to someone on the island to voice your concerns.

From now on, just make sure that you say that you OWN the item in question and you will be taking it with you when you leave.


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Jon, I'm making a return to Bonaire in September with my Genesis. My same buddy that borrowed my 2nd Genesis and had it confiscated will accompany me with his own Genesis. So he can truthfully answer "I own the scooter." I'll let you know how it turns out this time. I added a few days to my trip to allow for chasing down a Temporary Import Document again if required. Hopefully, I'll breeze through customs with my DPV like I have for several prior years. Thanks to all who have made Bonaire Customs aware of our concerns.