Traveling to Jamaica? A MUST READ!

WaterWalker

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Jan 31, 2007
523
671
Cape Cod, Massachuestts
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Garrett (Infinium, ATPro, ATX), Minelab Excalibur, Tesoro Conquistador, Whites (Surfmaster PI, Quantum), JW Fisher 8X, DetectorPro Underwater 8", Minelab Equinox 800, Manticore, Pro-Find 35
Primary Interest:
Beach & Shallow Water Hunting
The yellow poster says it all.

I had made several trips with no problems. NO MORE.
This month’s trip was going well, fast flow more area, really nice improvements to Sangster International Airport (MBJ). It was big surprise to see so many bags opened for inspection at the new arrival Custom Inspection area. The agents were diligent in doing their job, very professional, polite and explained everything that was to happen. We had to empty one suitcase and put the banded/restricted metal detectors in the one suitcase. The other items from the one suitcase were put into other suitcases so all we had “DETAINED” were our metal detectors and the one suitcase. To retrieve the detained items we had to arrive an hour earlier for our flight home, a week later. We were allowed to put more items into the suitcase with the detectors prior to it being escorted to the ticket counter by two Custom Agents. There documents were signed, baggage check number noted and co-signed by the ticket agent. Back in the USA we collected our bags and headed home with a tale of travel that I just had to pass along. I was given information on who to contact to request a permit, but it would take a minimum of two weeks and probably would not be granted.
 

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1KBlueTuber

Full Member
Oct 19, 2014
249
628
New Hampshire
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Minelab excalibur blue tube 1000
Fisher cz-6a, 1265x,
Whites eagle IIsl
Ouch! Sorry to hear that! I would be so bummed out if that happened on a vacation. Thanks for the heads up
 

CASPER-2

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Jan 3, 2012
17,153
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LOOKS LIKE WE MAY HAVE TO WRITE SOME LETTERS TELL THEM THAT THEY ARE GONNA LOSE SOME
TOURISM - I wonder if they stop guys on a cruise from bringing them ashore - ive never done a cruise
never plan on it - just wonder if its a flying thing - hoping someone chimes in if they have done a cruise lately
there - wonder if you could mail a machine to your hotel - yrs ago when I had a small prob - I mailed one back
from carrib.
 

CASPER-2

Gold Member
Jan 3, 2012
17,153
19,933
NEW ENGLAND
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6
Detector(s) used
WHITE'S XLT, PI PRO, GARRETT 2500, 3- FISHER CZ21s, JW FISHER 8X
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
so they would confiscate my dive knife too ...and my camo Fisher hat?
f67e11e4be9934a6e1fac30604e16e44_w200.gif
 

DJWEHAGE

Hero Member
Nov 30, 2012
530
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Aberdeen, MD
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No need to travel to Jamaica now, Mon!!!
 

Tpmetal

Silver Member
Jan 4, 2017
4,406
7,506
Western ny
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equinox 800, Whites mx sport, Garrot carrot, bounty hunter time ranger
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yep pretty much screw that place now. Theres some stuff on that list that blows my mind; camo, knives, metal detectors? seems like someone wants that country to be left thoroughly unarmed and helpless as well.
 

TwoYewts

Sr. Member
Oct 29, 2013
446
736
NorthEast
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LOOKS LIKE WE MAY HAVE TO WRITE SOME LETTERS TELL THEM THAT THEY ARE GONNA LOSE SOME
TOURISM - I wonder if they stop guys on a cruise from bringing them ashore - ive never done a cruise
never plan on it - just wonder if its a flying thing - hoping someone chimes in if they have done a cruise lately
there - wonder if you could mail a machine to your hotel - yrs ago when I had a small prob - I mailed one back
from carrib.

Hey Casper,
Yes they check Cruise Lines as well. A couple of weeks ago my hunting bud took his EQ 800 along on his family cruise to Bahamas (I know its not Jamaica but looks like they have adopted the same policy). His EQ was first detained by ship's security when he was boarding. When they got to the island ship security allowed him to retrieve the detector but then Custom Agents on the island prevented him from taking it off the ship. He was told the same garbage, that he had to get written permisison. That written permission takes up to two weeks if they want to give it to you etc.
 

OP
OP
WaterWalker

WaterWalker

Hero Member
Jan 31, 2007
523
671
Cape Cod, Massachuestts
Detector(s) used
Garrett (Infinium, ATPro, ATX), Minelab Excalibur, Tesoro Conquistador, Whites (Surfmaster PI, Quantum), JW Fisher 8X, DetectorPro Underwater 8", Minelab Equinox 800, Manticore, Pro-Find 35
Primary Interest:
Beach & Shallow Water Hunting

Tommybuckets

Bronze Member
Mar 2, 2015
1,056
1,894
Bodymore, Metalland
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Minelab Excal, Safari, Garrett infinium, Whites prizm 4
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Well that sucks. Man lets not hope its a sign of the times
 

CASPER-2

Gold Member
Jan 3, 2012
17,153
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NEW ENGLAND
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WHITE'S XLT, PI PRO, GARRETT 2500, 3- FISHER CZ21s, JW FISHER 8X
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So are they actually saying its illegal to detect in Jamaica? or own a machine down there
I have a few friends up here that have dual citizenship - a few have houses here and there
so wonder if I fly down with him - if they would still confiscate from him
wonder if I had one mailed to his house - would they grab it
what if you mailed to hotel right before you go
Ive met a few locals that do own cheaper ones - is it illegal for them ow?
 

sprailroad

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Jan 19, 2017
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Strange that a metal detector is lumped in with guns, ammo and handcuffs? Things that make ya say "wow".
 

Terry Soloman

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May 28, 2010
19,408
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White Plains, New York
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Primary Interest:
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islamoradamark

Silver Member
Aug 26, 2016
3,628
3,993
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you can keep that island my buddy got robbed there. Locals said stop taking all the gold from here mon
 

howie#1

Jr. Member
Aug 21, 2013
37
48
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Maybe all the treasure shows showing gold, relics and what md find opened there eyes, and that's the only way to shut it down. Most of the shows have permits to do what there doing and most of detecting in other countries you have to turn your finds over. Just saying.
 

kingskid1611

Gold Member
Feb 23, 2015
8,127
6,664
Oklahoma
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I was there in the military back in the early 90's and didn't care for the island anyway. I wouldn't go back unless I was in a resort. Its a nasty place back inside the island....
 

Minelab Matt

Hero Member
Oct 19, 2014
545
603
S.Wales UK
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No dynamite allowed?

That's just plain stupid.

Lmao.

Matt.
 

OP
OP
WaterWalker

WaterWalker

Hero Member
Jan 31, 2007
523
671
Cape Cod, Massachuestts
Detector(s) used
Garrett (Infinium, ATPro, ATX), Minelab Excalibur, Tesoro Conquistador, Whites (Surfmaster PI, Quantum), JW Fisher 8X, DetectorPro Underwater 8", Minelab Equinox 800, Manticore, Pro-Find 35
Primary Interest:
Beach & Shallow Water Hunting
islamoradamark:
I have been to Jamaica three times and going back again next month. I never had a problem with the locals, they are pleasant, interesting and helpful. Yes there are some that may take advantage of a foreigner, but that is all over the world that it happens. Just look at our news, I hope you do not think the US is the safest place in the world to walk around in. I know several detectorist that carry protection while out detecting. Yes, I also know detectorist that have been robbed while overseas. It happens. Stay safe, but enjoy life while you can.
 

OBN

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Dec 30, 2008
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"Excalibur"..
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I think they should combine both post and any add ons and make this a sticky. I'm fine here in the states but how many will not see this and spend the cash..only to find out it was a wasted trip. Thank WW for posting..
 

CASPER-2

Gold Member
Jan 3, 2012
17,153
19,933
NEW ENGLAND
🥇 Banner finds
1
🏆 Honorable Mentions:
6
Detector(s) used
WHITE'S XLT, PI PRO, GARRETT 2500, 3- FISHER CZ21s, JW FISHER 8X
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
I think they should combine both post and any add ons and make this a sticky. I'm fine here in the states but how many will not see this and spend the cash..only to find out it was a wasted trip. Thank WW for posting..
I WAS PLANNING on going back eventually - ive done alright in Jamaica
just wondering if detecting is completely of limits or just bringing the machines in is
I could easily have one mailed to guy I work with house down there - IF I'm not gonna get arrested for detecting
I hit spots that many others have before me and did good - imagine if no one is allowed how it will be in a few yrs
go down and just bring a rake in the water
 

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