Bahamas

Fishfood · Post by **Fishfood** » Wed Jan 18, 2006 8:54 am

I'm still trying to plan my honeymoon and the southern caribbean is on the list, although I found a few package deals that might be affordable in Tahiti and Fiji. Wouldn't it be nice to have a little grab bag from there.

GermanShepherdGirl · Post by **GermanShepherdGirl** » Wed Jan 18, 2006 8:57 am

Brian wrote:Oh no. Cuban goods are not legal to bring into the US no matter what. Especially cuban cigars and rum. It is just I have been to Cuba so many times the customs officers kinda knew me so after the first few times checking me and seeing I am honest with them and stuff, they just kinda let me go the next times. I was going a few times each month. They asked me what I had and I justtold them the truth that I have cuban cigars given to me by my in-laws and they did not care. But it is not legal no matter what.

That may apply to Cuba, but according to this web site you are allowed certain items to bring in/out of the Bahamas.
http://www.bahamas.com/bahamas/about/ge ... 88&level=2

Brian · Post by **Brian** » Wed Jan 18, 2006 9:35 am

I agree that you can bring certain items out of the Bahamas but cuban cigars are not allowed unless you are lucky like I was but most people are not that lucky. They normally get them taken away or fined $50 dollars a cigar. I have seen this too many times in Bahamas and Atlanta when you go through US Customs. I was reading some websites and they stated corals can not be up-rooted, exported, or disturbed in any way. It says fish can not be exported for commercial use but since it is not commercial maybe there is hope for some fish if you like. I would still just walk over and ask US Customs. You may be one of th lucky ones like me and be able to bring something that you normally would not be allowed to.

GermanShepherdGirl · Post by **GermanShepherdGirl** » Wed Jan 18, 2006 9:37 am

Well I can't stand cigars so that won't be an issue.

I'll probably at least ask or see if I can get away with a couple of small rocks. I'll keep my fingers crossed!

Amphiprion · Post by **Amphiprion** » Wed Jan 18, 2006 9:54 am

Good luck, they wouldn't even let me get away with shells! I had collected them along the beaches and the customs officer took them out, pointed at the fine list and told me that he would let it go (the fine), but I would have to leave the shells. So, of course, I said OK and just left.

GermanShepherdGirl · Post by **GermanShepherdGirl** » Wed Jan 18, 2006 9:55 am

That's pretty crapy! I don't see what the big deal is.

Amphiprion · Post by **Amphiprion** » Wed Jan 18, 2006 9:56 am

I guess they want no introduction of foreign materials, fauna, flora, etc. This is true especially if you are going out of Florida.

Fishfood · Post by **Fishfood** » Wed Jan 18, 2006 10:04 am

Its the same when going to and from Hawaii. I was there 4 months for school and learned about all the invasive species of plants and animals that are destroying the islands. Same reasons why some Caulerpa is outlawed in California. I think one other reason for rocks is because of the rate the reefs in the caribbean had been destroyed. There are laws on how much can be collected if it can be and it everyone could just bring some rocks home that would have a negative affect on the reefs.

GermanShepherdGirl · Post by **GermanShepherdGirl** » Wed Jan 18, 2006 10:05 am

I guess I can understand that.

Brian · Post by **Brian** » Wed Jan 18, 2006 10:15 am

I wonder if there is any way of getting that list or something similar. Well I have something to do at work now.

GermanShepherdGirl · Post by **GermanShepherdGirl** » Wed Jan 18, 2006 10:19 am

You should work on that!

Brian · Post by **Brian** » Wed Jan 18, 2006 10:47 am

http://www.deepdiversions.com/regulatio ... msinfo.htm

Under the fish and wildlife section it has some interesting information about contacting customs and a pet and wildlife department. Interesting reading. Still looking for an actual document though.

Brian · Post by **Brian** » Wed Jan 18, 2006 10:48 am

http://www.fws.gov/

The official website for fish and wildlife.

Fishfood · Post by **Fishfood** » Wed Jan 18, 2006 11:01 am

Brian wrote:http://www.fws.gov/

The official website for fish and wildlife.

Hmmm, I hate that website. I work for the FWS and just hate their site. But please don't ask me about collecting and that stuff. I make maps! Our biologists don't deal with marine issues other then sea turtles and sturgeon. Most stuff is endangered plants, birds, reptiles , mammals, and freshwater aquatics(shrimp, fish, clams).

Brian · Post by **Brian** » Wed Jan 18, 2006 11:25 am

I called them and they stated I needed to speak to a guy named Juan Carlos or something like that and they transferred me but I just got a voicemail. I will continue trying. My boss is laughing at me because I am asking all these questions to these people and they do not understand what I am asking and just keep transferring me.