Jamaica and the Law

By Teri Champigny

“I didn’t know that. I’m not from here.” This is something that Jamaican police and courts hear fairly regularly. Unfortunately, it is not a valid excuse for breaking the law – in any country. The fact is, if you are planning to visit Jamaica, it is your responsibility to know the basic laws before you arrive.

Following the law starts with having the proper documentation for entry into and exit out of the country. If you are coming from the United States, Canada, or Britain, you will need a government issued photo identification card to enter the country. To exit the country and return to your own, however, a passport will be required – by your country.

If you are traveling with a child, many entry and exit points have started requiring documentary proof that the child is yours, or that you have permission from the child’s parents to travel with this child.

The next step to following the law in Jamaica is making sure that you meet the customs requirements. Going in, you may bring one carton of cigarettes and one quart of liquor. If you bring additional cigarettes or liquor, it will be taxed. If you are bringing a firearm into the country, you must contact the embassy or consulate to obtain a permit before you travel there. Otherwise, you won’t just be turned away; you could end up in prison!

There are also laws regarding currency. You may have to declare the currency that you are bringing into the country, and in many Caribbean countries, you will not be allowed to carry more currency out than you brought in. If you have prescription medication, that medication must be in a labeled container with the doctor’s name, the name of the pharmacy, and the contents of the container.

You can be arrested for underage drinking, disorderly conduct, reckless behavior, and drunk driving in Jamaica. You are also subject to being arrested for public intoxication in some areas. Jamaica has strict laws concerning the use, possession, and sale of illegal drugs. If you are caught with drugs, you will be arrested, charged, and tried as an international drug trafficker. This can carry a prison term of up to twenty years.

If you plan to drive, make sure that you learn the traffic laws first. They are similar to that in the United States, except in Jamaica, you drive on the left side of the road. In Jamaica, road signs will be in English.

There are many animal and plant products that are illegal to sell and purchase. If you purchase such items, they may be confiscated, and you will most likely be fined. This includes products made from sea turtles, fur spotted cats, wild bird feathers, live or stuffed exotic birds (parrots, parakeets), crocodile, black coral and most other corral.

If you become ill while in Jamaica, if possible, get back to the United States for treatment. If treatment cannot wait, however, be aware that most medical facilities and doctors will require payment up front, and that the fees associated with medical care will most likely be a great deal higher than they are in the United States.