camouflage items

[GillMathews]

Hi everyone.
I hope my recent experience will prevent any of you from being parted from favourite items of clothing,luggage,headgear ect!. Recently I sent a birthday parcel to a friend in Store Bay. It was a registered parcel and therefore to be signed for. When he collected it a pair of camouflage print shorts had been seized by customs and he was given the remainder of the items. Apparently he had to pay for this privelage!
I have spoken to the customs office in Scarborough who told me that it is illegal to import camouflage items into Trin, and Tobago and that a sign to this effect is displayed at the airports ( never seen it myself ). Anyway he told me that sometimes the item may be returned to a tourist just prior to flying home.
As for my lost parcel content, I have to contact the customs office when I go there in July.If they havent already sent it to the main customs office in Port O Spain it might be returned to me to bring home again but I wont be holding my breath. Shame because they were really nice Quicksilver walk shorts and at £54 not exactly cheap. Of course the postal insurance doesnt cover custom seizure!!!!.
Hope this cautionary tale is of some help.Maybe this bit of info could be included in what not to pack?
Meanwhile I am getting more exited every day that brings my holiday closer.
Gill Mathews

[Ray Vanner]

it is illegal to import camouflage items into Trin, and Tobago and that a sign to this effect is displayed at the airport

FYI-this is the case for most Caribbean islands

[Paul Makin]

heres some of the background to this situation:

http://www.mytobago.info/forum/viewtopi ... camouflage

paul

[GillMathews]

Thanks for the reference Paul. I had`nt seen it on the forum. Since my first hol on Tobago in 2004 I have seen both locals and tourists wearing camo stuff but I know now and won`t be taking the new skirt with me for sure
Gill