June 2018 I did not declare the dry good usa food market stuff as no raw meat fruits and veggies and when asked on the way out I was reprimanded for not declaring "food". This June I declared food for the same stuff, waited in line to be inspected and when I got the officer and told her what I had she just waved me through without looking. I specifically asked if I have to declare food in the future if just this kind of food and the answer was yes. It will be interesting to hear what others experience or learn following the new policy.
Cayman customs getting easier and faster
- Thread starter mi000ke
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caydiver
Contributor
A few trips back I was on green and the agent looked at me quizzically and pointed to the Duty Free bag in my hand. I immediately said it was just one botlle and within the Duty Free limitations. He said it was fine but I should have written it down. Now I write down everything and get waved through. Seems to me as though they are trying to get a fairer accounting of what comes in. They want it on the form even if it is within the limits.
Alucard
Contributor
caydiver
Contributor
Haha you can go to the ky.gov page and search for allowances for imports. Then you can see how many times it says up to the discretion of the agent. Immigration and customs at the port for shipped in goods is exactly the same. Seems to be luck of the draw on who you get rather than a defined policy. Also how often do news stories give all or even the correct info? Its not facts anymore its them telling a story with their twist. Why cutting and pasting articles can be misleading.
caydiver
Contributor
Presently dealing with having new dive computers delivered. They arrived last week and should have been delivered by DHL. Three attempts at giving an Invoice they were happy with. Now have to pay Duty on the shipping (including DHL delivery) but have to go in person to pay so I will just pick them up (and still pay delivery + duty on delivery charge). While ripping my hair out on the phone came across this page :
Allowances
Allowances
Alucard
Contributor
Oh I agree with you - and it's always at the discretion of the agent. What I want to avoid is getting on some black list for bringing stuff in and not filling out the customs forms like we are supposed to. The government web sites haven't been updated in a while, from what I can see, so no clue whether this new policy changes anything. And I agree - news stories only give a place to start looking, which is why I am looking for some sort of official pronouncement....
OP
mi000ke
Contributor
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I've summarized the most relevant customs regulations below (although I encourage you to read them for yourselves at their website Cayman Islands Customs - Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, Little Cayman).
Regardless of whether you are under the duty-free limits or not, all visitors must declare all gifts, foods, spirits, liquor, tobacco products and any other items in their possession, other than their normal wearing apparel, personal effects/toiletries and articles of personal adornment which are reasonable for the time of the intended visit to the Cayman Islands.
Regarding visitors' duty-free limits: Baggage and household effects for visiting tourists are generally duty free if they are either consumed or used up during your stay, or taken with you when you return home. (Residents returning to the island can bring in $350/person of goods purchased while off island before owing duty.)
Further and more specifically, you can bring in duty-free:
1) (if you are over 18) up to 1 liter of spirits or 4 liters of wine or 1 case (not exceeding 9 liters) of beer; and up to 200 cigarettes or 250 grams tobacco (roughly 25 cigars)
2) Clothing, articles of “personal adornment,” and any other personal effects the customs officer deems reasonable for the period of the intended visit.
3) medical devices
NO guns, drugs, pornography, or turtle meat may be imported (just in case you were thinking.... )
Regarding (non-turtle meat) perishable products; from the CI website: “Perishable food items imported into the Cayman Islands requires a certificate of wholesomeness from the country of purchase or origin and is subject to inspection by the C.I. Department of Agriculture on arrival. An import permit issued by the C.I. Department of Agriculture is also required.”
However, in another place on their website it says that small quantity of meats (up to 25Ibs.) arriving in passengers baggage from the approved countries [see below] may be permitted without an accompanied Certificate of Wholesomeness, if such meats are pre-wrapped under a brand name and has the Official Seal of Inspection of the country's Meat Inspection Authority. Secondly, if such small quantities of meats were purchased from a licensed shopping outlet and are wrapped by the outlet. Such meats may be permitted entry into these Islands at the discretion of the approved Inspector at the port of entry, providing adequate proof of such purchases from licensed establishments can be provided by the arriving passenger.
APPROVED LIST OF COUNTRIES FROM WHICH MEATS CAN BE IMPORTED:
United Kingdom, Northern Ireland - Swine products only are allowed with specific certification, form 5773 EHC.;
USA, Canada, CARICOM States, Australia and New Zealand - all types of approved meats in these countries are allowed.
Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Honduras -meats of swine and ruminants only are allowed with a proper certificate of inspection. (Boneless meat only from Nicaragua).
Finally, given that small amounts of meat are OK, I am sure small amounts of other perishables are OK as well. We almost always arrive with small amount of fruit, baked goods and other incidental perishables with no problem.
And finally, finally, when in doubt, DECLARE!
Regardless of whether you are under the duty-free limits or not, all visitors must declare all gifts, foods, spirits, liquor, tobacco products and any other items in their possession, other than their normal wearing apparel, personal effects/toiletries and articles of personal adornment which are reasonable for the time of the intended visit to the Cayman Islands.
Regarding visitors' duty-free limits: Baggage and household effects for visiting tourists are generally duty free if they are either consumed or used up during your stay, or taken with you when you return home. (Residents returning to the island can bring in $350/person of goods purchased while off island before owing duty.)
Further and more specifically, you can bring in duty-free:
1) (if you are over 18) up to 1 liter of spirits or 4 liters of wine or 1 case (not exceeding 9 liters) of beer; and up to 200 cigarettes or 250 grams tobacco (roughly 25 cigars)
2) Clothing, articles of “personal adornment,” and any other personal effects the customs officer deems reasonable for the period of the intended visit.
3) medical devices
NO guns, drugs, pornography, or turtle meat may be imported (just in case you were thinking.... )
Regarding (non-turtle meat) perishable products; from the CI website: “Perishable food items imported into the Cayman Islands requires a certificate of wholesomeness from the country of purchase or origin and is subject to inspection by the C.I. Department of Agriculture on arrival. An import permit issued by the C.I. Department of Agriculture is also required.”
However, in another place on their website it says that small quantity of meats (up to 25Ibs.) arriving in passengers baggage from the approved countries [see below] may be permitted without an accompanied Certificate of Wholesomeness, if such meats are pre-wrapped under a brand name and has the Official Seal of Inspection of the country's Meat Inspection Authority. Secondly, if such small quantities of meats were purchased from a licensed shopping outlet and are wrapped by the outlet. Such meats may be permitted entry into these Islands at the discretion of the approved Inspector at the port of entry, providing adequate proof of such purchases from licensed establishments can be provided by the arriving passenger.
APPROVED LIST OF COUNTRIES FROM WHICH MEATS CAN BE IMPORTED:
United Kingdom, Northern Ireland - Swine products only are allowed with specific certification, form 5773 EHC.;
USA, Canada, CARICOM States, Australia and New Zealand - all types of approved meats in these countries are allowed.
Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Honduras -meats of swine and ruminants only are allowed with a proper certificate of inspection. (Boneless meat only from Nicaragua).
Finally, given that small amounts of meat are OK, I am sure small amounts of other perishables are OK as well. We almost always arrive with small amount of fruit, baked goods and other incidental perishables with no problem.
And finally, finally, when in doubt, DECLARE!
caydiver
Contributor
Doesn’t fresh fruit have to have DOA approval. I know someone who had a huge problem with a very small amout of fresh truffles.
Try sending your questions about the new customs process to Ask Auntie; she is responsive and makes sure that she gets the correct information:
https://cnslocallife.com/2016/03/03/ask-auntie/
https://cnslocallife.com/2016/03/03/ask-auntie/
Alucard
Contributor
I sent a question in to there a few hours ago.
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