We packed many things in our regular bags but when we traveled back we took along 2 additional bags to bring back supplies. We do this whenever we return to bring back items that aren't available in the Bahamas or we use frequently and are expensive here. One of the challenges of doing this is protecting things from breaking, being smashed or crushed. We try to pack the bags to offer the best protection but when they go through security screenings since they have all sorts of unusual packages the agents rearrange things and often cause things to break. This time when unpacking I found items not in the compartment where I had placed them. But the only damage we found was 1 box of black beans that had burst from being crushed. When we get to the airport early it gives security more time to check them when if we checked the bags the minimum amount of time they might let them pass through with less examination.
The offshore water of the Exumas.
Of course the other major hurdle is clearing customs when coming back with merchandise. There seems to be significant differences of opinion about what can be brought in by boaters without customs and taxes. According to the official government website all boat parts for yachts in transit are exempt, however, local customs officers take a different view and application varies by place and shipment. They insist that only parts needed for direct propulsion are exempt and duties are payable on everything else. There is also a $100 per person exemption so when we came in we should have a $200 exemption against taxable merchandise.
On the 2 times we've returned after visiting the US the only things the customs officers looked for were boat parts. They ignored all the food, personal and health items and only looked for boat stuff. On the other hand when we've had repair parts and even mail shipped to us customs taxed us on everything that wasn't a plain letter or magazine. The duties are high. On most boat parts it's 45% plus the 7.5% VAT. They also require the use of an agent for clearing in merchandise which adds an agent fee. On this occasion we declared the dehumidifier but since the cost of it and the other boat parts was about $200 and we didn't have all the invoices the customs officer let us by. As the Bahamas increases it's need for revenue from visitors I would expect it will get more difficult and expensive to get needed supplies delivered here. But the ironic thing is that even with the customs, taxes and fees it is still cheaper to buy things in the US and pay than trying to procure it locally. For one thing most of the stuff isn't available and when it is it is ridiculously expensive because of the circular VAT. Each time an item passes through a point in the supply chain in the Bahamas the VAT is added. If a retailer in George Town buys a part from a distributor in Nassau who is not the importer the VAT will be added 3 times to the price of the product plus customs and clearing fees to the broker and the government (the government gets a fee in addition to the customs for clearing your item).
An interesting rum we tasted while in Chicago.
There is lots to understand about the issues with a government such as that in the Bahamas but that is not the focus of this blog.
Anyway, we got home to Amekaya and made the needed repairs fairly quickly and readied to depart. The day after we returned a friend and crew member, Skipp Maiden for our trip to the Caribbean arrived and we met him at the airport. The Immigration folks wouldn't let him in without a copy of our cruising permit so I had to drive back to the boat to get it. After he finally got in we drove to George Town for provisions but there was nothing there. We did stop at a butcher shop and pick up some chicken that we could grill.
Linda enjoying the scenery at the Tropic Breeze.
The folks at Exuma Markets in George Town told us the boat would be in Wednesday so we decided to keep our rental car for another day and try the market Wednesday. We have found that in the Bahamas if you ask a question and the person doesn't know they tell you anything rather than say they don't know. But, knowing the boat is usually in by Wednesday we figured we would come back and hopefully get fresh produce.
The view from Tropic Breeze.
In our rental car we left the marina about noon and decided to do lunch at the Tropic Breeze again and visit Mom's Bakery to get something good before we left. Mom's has the most incredible rum cakes we have ever tasted. At the Tropic Breeze Skip and Linda got the Seafood Nachos and I got the Surf and Turf Burger which was a gourmet cheese burger with a slab of lobster on it. With a beautiful view, great food and good company we discussed our travel plans.
Linda going shopping at Mom's Bakery.
As we got ready to head south our plan was to do an overnight passage leaving Emerald Bay and go to the Acklins Islands for 2 nights. Then, weather permitting head to Great Inagua where we would check out, may be some sightseeing and provisioning and then leave for Jamaica.
After the business of the past 2 weeks, heading out was difficult for so many reasons none of which had anything to do with the sailing. So almost a month after we had left Emerald Bay to head south we were leaving again to retrace the steps we had already completed and reversed. For me I agree with George Patton that I hate to pay twice for the same real estate. What we achieve through blood, sweat, tears and treasure is not given up easily. In this case we had to back track but here we go again heading south. What we achieve too cheaply we esteem too lightly as Emerson said. So with a great investment we head south to Jamaica and the Caribbean.
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