To qualify:
To apply, submit the following to the Jamaica Customs Agency - Returning Residents Unit:
The online application process for Returning Residents involves several steps:
Visit the Jamaica Customs Agency website and select the online booking portal. There, you'll register by entering your first name, middle name, surname, and email address.
Upon successful registration, you'll receive a confirmation email containing a username, password, and an application URL.
Then complete and upload the application form along with all the required documents.
After submission, your application will be processed, and you'll receive an email indicating whether it has been approved or denied. An interview may be scheduled via the online portal if necessary.
Once approved, you'll receive an exemption notice, which is essential for clearing your shipments. A licensed customs broker or authorised agent will then prepare the customs declaration for submission to the automated system for customs data.
Returning Residents are stated to "benefit from the concession afforded to Returning Residents."
A full list of personal goods and household effects eligible for concessions can be found here. It covers:
Returning Residents can import motor vehicles. The Motor Vehicle Importation Policy is primarily administered by the Trade Board Limited, which is responsible for granting Import Licences for motor vehicle importation. This licence must be obtained prior to the vehicle's importation.
Qualified applicants are entitled to this concession only once. According to requirements:
Returning students are entitled to a reasonable quantity of used household effects.
In addition, they are permitted to import one of each of the following electronic items, new or used:
Jamaican students aged 18 or older who have studied abroad for more than one year but fewer than three consecutive years and are returning to reside permanently also qualify.
Returning students are required to present specific documents to claim their entitlements. These include their:
Other essential documents are their:
For deportees, the necessary documentation for their belongings includes:
For deceased estates, the family of the deceased is entitled to import USED personal and household effects, such as worn clothing and used appliances of the deceased. To do so, they must submit:
Importing pets and plants into Jamaica requires specific permits from the Ministry of Agriculture.
For pets and other animals, an Import Permit from the Veterinary Services Division of the Ministry of Agriculture is mandatory prior to importation.
Similarly, for plants, a Permit from the Plant Quarantine Division of the Ministry of Agriculture is required before they can be brought into the country.
Vehicles listed below can be imported into Jamaica:
If you are importing a used vehicle, the following rules apply:
The age limits vary depending on the vehicle category and type, effective November 6, 2019. For example:
It's important to note that Returning Residents are permitted to import motor vehicles up to ten (10) years old, which is a specific concession.
The importation of motor vehicles that are considered to be in a damaged or salvaged state is PROHIBITED in Jamaica.
Concessionary rates of duty are granted in special circumstances, typically when the importer holds a job or position that entitles them to such a rate. Examples of individuals who may qualify include:
Applications for concessions are submitted through various government departments to the Ministry of Finance and Public Service. If a concession is granted, the vehicle will be subject to a clause restricting its sale for a period of three (3) years.
Companies (excluding certified motor vehicle dealers) are allowed to import three units within the specified age limits over a three-year period.
An import permit for such companies will include a twelve-month restrictive clause prohibiting the unauthorised sale, transfer, or pledging of these vehicles.
If a company requires more than three units within this period, they must purchase them from local certified dealers.
To obtain an Order and Clearance Permit, each company must have:
To successfully import a motor vehicle or motorcycle, you will need the following documents:
The Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) collects several types of duties, taxes, and fees on imported goods, with rates set by the Ministry of Finance and varying by commodity. These include:
The Jamaica Customs Agency provides online tools to help users estimate duties and taxes.
Producers of primary products and manufacturers in Jamaica can access concessionary benefits on imported productive inputs. These benefits include:
These benefits cover imported raw materials, intermediate goods, consumables, packaging materials, and machinery and equipment (including parts).
Goods can be imported for temporary use without upfront duty payment, provided certain conditions under the Customs Act are met.
The importer must deposit the full amount of the duty with the Commissioner or provide requisite security (such as cash, bonds, bank guarantees, or an approved waiver letter from the Ministry of Finance and Public Service/JAMPRO/Jamaica Tourist Board).
The goods must be exported within specified timeframes:
Extensions may be granted if a written explanation is submitted to the relevant Senior Director at least two weeks before the expiration date.
Upon re-exportation and verification by a Customs Officer, the deposit will be refunded, excluding the Standard Compliance Fee, Environmental Levy, and Customs Administration Fee. If goods are not exported within the specified time and no extension was sought, the deposit will not be refunded.
The Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) acts as the central government body responsible for managing and regulating the import and export of goods in Jamaica. Its functions include:
The JCA provides a wide range of services to individuals and businesses, covering everything from passenger clearances and e-commerce to large-scale business imports and exports.
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