I keep hearing about paying a tx before leaving teh island, wht is this and how much should I expect to pay?

Every country has a departure tax, even the US but you don't realize that you are paying because is it in your ticket. How much you pay depends on what country you are departing from. Some Caribbean islands have their tax in airtickets now, IE Jamiaca and Mexico. What country are you going to visit?

Hi - We just left the island (St. Lucia) on 3/21/01. We had to pay 21.00 each for departure tax. We weren't aware of this and luckily had the cash (well, almost, we had two 20-dollar bills, I scrouged enough change to make another dollar, and that was it) We were 1 dollar short, but they took it anyway.

Dixie-I will be going to Jamaica. Does this departure tax change if we buy stuff to bring home? What if we don't take home anything?

I think the departure tax from Jamaica is 24.00 US dollars. If you are flying on scheduled carrier the tax will be on your ticket. Look on the last coupon, say passenger receipt it will have I think XD by the tax. <BR>The tax doesn't have anything to do with what you buy on the island. Have fun, I LOVE Jamaica. Where are you staying?

Foreign countries charge a "departure tax" due when you are leaving in cash. Each country is different and it is charged by that government. Each island is different. Duty is what you pay on goods purchased when out of the country. Most carib islands have a "duty free" limit of $600 per person for purchases. The USVI is double that, $1200 pp. Anything over that amount is due and owing duty to the US Customs. They too want cash. You clear customs on certain islands that provide that service or when returning to the US at your port of entry. For your departure tax, you are usually given some sort of stamp or receipt. Customs has a form that you fill out, a declaration form, where you list your purchases. It is a good idea to keep all receipts handy and together when clearing customs just in case they ask to see them! I put mine in one envelope with the passport and customs declaration form so it it ready and makes the whole process easier for me and those in line behind me!

Dixie-We are staying in Negril @ Swept Away, by buddy is getting married there! I am looking forward to it, it is my first trip tothe carribean!!! Any tips on what to do or see while we are there? <BR>There is something marked XT $33.90 on my travel receipt, maybe that is my departure tax? But that sounds high for what you guys are saying.

dAvo, The XT is a few taxes added together. Now look in the middle of the ticket on a line that might look like EWR X/MIA MBJ AA SCES14NR X/MIA EWR END SITI XT3.00XA6.00XY24.00WD XFMIA3EWR3. <BR>What ever, look for the 24.00WD, THAT is your departure tax paid for with your air line ticket. <BR>When you get to Swept Away be SURE to ask for a room FAR from the kitchen. There is no glass in the windows, just louvered shutters and you can hear everything. Some nice sounds, frogs, waves etc. BUT if you are by the kitchen you will hear the dishes and workers talking and all the smells, yuck. <BR>Bring some bug spray. NOT bad but due to the fact of the open windows sometimes little critters get in. Don't get me wrong Swept Away is a fantasic resort. When you get a little too close to nature some of it sneeks into your space, not all bad. <BR>

Anyone have recent update on JA departure tax? I'm thinking past board info re how much it is and if its always (or just sometimes) incl on air tix may be outdated. Last year i flew Air JA and it was included; this year flying American and my TA at Liberty Travel says its not. Is this consistent with others experiences? Please advise what i should expect on this tax. Thx.