TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Conch Shell in the carry-on

Departing the island on Thursday morning, and my Daughter gets pulled aside after the carry-on went through the scanner. The official has her bag, and says to her "open it" and she replies "why, what's wrong." He says "shell", she says, "yes, 1 Conch shell my husband bought at the market" he says "they can't be in your carry-on". She says "nobody told me, and I didn't see any sign or anything. It is my husband's only souvenir." He takes the shell, says "you should have checked it", turns and walks away with the shell. My son-in-law must have bargained with 10 different stands at both the Philipsburg and Marigot market and was so proud of the deal he struck and his shell. Lesson learned the hard way.

I didn't realize a conch shell was so dangerous!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />Did he show her the material advising people of this? I have brought back a whole package of shells in carry-on with no problem. They seem to keep changing the rules; it is difficult to keep up.

I think actually it's not legal to bring a conch shell into the US at all. http://blog.snorkelingonline.com/warning-dont-bring-these-items-through-uscustoms/

The danger is not FROM a conch, rather TO the conch population.

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/...%3D/suggested/1
Queen conch is in the CITES list.

There is a glass display on the first level of the SXM airport near passport control (before you go upstairs) of items you cannot take. A conch is on one of the shelves.

Curious why the official said it was OK in checked baggage but not carry on sounds like bad info and wonder how many times that shell has been confiscated and resold.

I understand the want and it's sad it was confiscated.

Many years ago, during one of our earliest tent camping trips I noted the following signage at a campground - "Take nothing but photographs and leave nothing but footprints" .....

I was quite surprised when we read and were told the same thing years later as we spent a post-Christmas vacation on St. John.

It sounds like the reason she should have checked it is that it might not have been caught that way. I'm thinking it's not the "danger" of the shell, but it's illegality that was the issue.

The couch shell is legal to bring in the US and to carry in checked baggage. There are signs in the airport, unfortunately, they are only going up to the security security level - a bit late. The reason they don't want the shell in your check in baggage is because it can be used as a weapon! Slip your hand into the shell, punch out and you can do a lot of damage to a person. How do I know - we had to give one up on our second visit and the security person told us. Fortunately, I live in Key West so we have plenty. Just wanted to add one from SXM!!!

don't they sell conch shells at the airport curio shops?

We had a similar experience a few years ago, but with a sight twist. We were all packed, dressed, and waiting for the taxi to pick us up at Club O. A friend walked over and gave us a conch as a souvenir. Since the suitcase was locked, I put it in the carryon without thinking. The lady at the security said "What's this", and said I couldn't take it. After some discussion, I asked to speak to her supervisor. Some more discussions, and I asked to speak to HER manager. Thus lady came out of the inner sanctum, took one look at the conch, and said "Nice souvenir. OK, just this one time. Don't do it again". I suppose the conch could have been used as a weapon . All's well that ends well.

Think about it. The conch could be used as a weapon? So are dozens of items that you are allowed to carry in your carry on.
Many years ago my wife and I were in St. Eustatius scuba diving. The guide book mentioned a place on the island where conch fishermen would punch a small hole in the conch, push out the meat and throw the empty shell onto a pile of other conch shells. We drove to this place which was desolate and sure enough we saw 2 mountains of conch shells just there for the taking. We took maybe 3 or 4 of the best ones and brought them back with no problems. While this was pre 9/11 it was not pre hijacking.

I can somewhat understand the shells, but we had a bag of sea glass taken a couple of years ago. Really unusual colors and nice pieces too. I figured the security woman that took it had a friend that made sea glass jewelry.

Where do they draw the line on this?? It is getting to the point of being ridiculous with what could be used "As a weapon". Your keys, your belt with the buckle, your eyeglasses or sunglasses (sharpen the ear piece to a point). A bar of soap in a sock or a roll of coins in a sock- All can be used as a weapon, but they let those items on the plane in a carry-on.
I believe they are just using that as an excuse for confiscating the item for themselves. You should have taken the conch shell and walked over to the trash can, and broken it into pieces and threw it away. Then reply "OK, it's safe now".
It's sad, but just another example of how someone with a minimum wage job is using their "power" to control you. They were probably bullied when they were growing up, and are trying to get back at everyone now.

I was always under the impression that shells, sand, etc was considered contraband as far as bringing it back to the US. I have never heard about the weapons reasoning.

Sounds suspiciously like a "Conch Shell Conspiracy" taking place on St. Maarten! Maybe the makings of a new book by T Selma.....

Uh oh! If bringing back sand is forbidden, we are in deep trouble! I can never get rid of the sand in my suitcases. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

Yeah, I always have big problems with that myself! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" />

Don't we all! Carol! lol

I have purchased conch shells in many places...including SXM. I have always put them in my checked bags and i have never had a problem.

You are not supposed to take anything from orient Bay....because it is protected...so i guess if you purchase a shell and have the receipt...what can they say about it?

The shops at the airport are located AFTER you pass through security by the way...and yes i have seen shells for sale in those shops.

So maybe you should wait to do your shell shopping at the airport.....and maybe that is exactly what they are trying to accomplish.

Importing Queen Conch shells from St. Maarten is allowed. From the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website, Queen Conch shells can only be imported from the following countries.

yes, but it is illegal to take them OUT of st maarten as far as I know. they are considered an a endangered species

http://www.naturefoundationsxm.org/education/queen_conch/about_the_queen_conch.htm

http://www.fws.gov/international/animals/queen-conch.html

Where is Sint Maarten on that list?

Netherlands Antilles....I know...doesn't exist....but the rest of the world hasn't caught that yet. Even facebook geotags using Netherlands Antilles.

OK but please understand that the laws that were on the books under there Netherlands Antillies may not be the same for country Sint. Maarten. I don't know about shells but taking or killing conch is illegal on both sides of the island so I'm curious where these shells are coming from. 15 years ago, there were hardly any conch to be seen snorkeling or diving and since they have been protected there are lot's most and doing very well. Taking shells, dead or alive from the Natural Reserve which Orient bay is part of, is prohibited. You can find whole conch shells that have died naturally in the water off of La Samanna and as far as I know there is no problem taking those but be careful, something living inside may die and make an awful stench in your suitcase! LOL