Jamaica Customs Regulations - Reminder
RETURNING RESIDENTS:
- You are eligible for a concession which allows you to import personal and household items duty free;
- You must however, be a Jamaican National, 18 years or older;
- You must have resided overseas for the last three (3) consecutive years;
- You must be returning to reside permanently in Jamaica;
You must also have:
- A valid Jamaican Passport or unconditional landing stamp in a foreign Passport;
- A validated Bill of Lading or Airway Bill;
- Retirement Papers, Pension Advice, or Separation Letter from Employer;
- Evidence of property owned in Jamaica; Contract Letter of Employment from Employer in Jamaica; Lease or Rental Contract and one month’s Rent Receipt (Jamaica); Residency Letter if living with family in Jamaica – Certified by a JP; Deportation Order or Court Documents for Deportees;
RETURNING STUDENTS:
You must also have:
- A valid Jamaican Passport;
- Transcript or Student’s I-20
- Validated Bill of Lading or Airway Bill
- Tax Registration Number (TRN)
- Must be more than 18 years old and have studied abroad for more than one year, but less than three (3) consecutive years;
Items Allowed:
- Personal Items
- Household Effects e.g. Furniture
- Tools of Trade
RESTRICTED ITEMS:
- Motor Vehicles
- Pets
- Plants
REGULATIONS FOR IMPORTATION OF MOTOR VEHICLES:
- Import Licence – issued by the Jamaica Trade Board Ltd;
- Bill of Lading – obtained from the shipping company;
- Import Entry Form (C87) – prepared by a Licensed Customs Broker
- Motor Vehicle Title – Issued by the Motor Vehicle Department in the country where the vehicle was registered;
- Tax Compliance Certificate (TCC) and Tax Registration Number (TRN) obtained from the Tax Administration of Jamaica (TAJ);
- Bill of Sight – prepared by a Licensed Customs Broker
- An Invoice from the Supplier;
- Age Limit: Trailers – 10 years or less; Heavy Duty Equipment - 10 years or less; Motor Cars -10 years or less; Pick-ups - 10 years or less; Trucks - 10 years or less;
Valuation of the Motor Vehicle:
The primary basis for the valuation of the motor vehicle for Customs purposes is the Transaction Value. This is the price actually paid or payable for the imported motor vehicle. Customs has the right to verify the truth and accuracy of the declared value of the motor vehicle.
CONTACT DETAILS:
Jamaica Customs Agency
Newport East
Kingston
Tel: 001-876-922-5140-8
Website: www.jacustoms.gov.jm
E-mail: Contact Us/Feedback
The Jamaica Customs Agency Returning Residents’ Unit: 750-3098/750-3005 (Kingston) 952-0000 Ext. 2023 (Montego Bay).
CHARITABLE DONATIONS under THE JAMAICAN CHARITIES ACT 2013
The process of registering Charities under Jamaica’s Charities Act, commenced officially on 24th December 2013. Charitable donations can now be more easily sent to recipients in Jamaica, once they have been officially registered as a Charitable Organization.
Charitable Organizations in Jamaica which normally receive donations from Jamaican communities overseas, should therefore contact the following, to get registered:
The Department of Co-operatives & Friendly Societies
2 Musgrave Avenue
Kingston 10
Tel. (876) 978-1946/927-6572
Email: Contact Us/Feedback
Website: www.dcfsjamaica.org
On receipt of their Registration Certificates, Charitable Organizations are entitled to relief from Customs Duties, General Consumption Tax, Special Consumption Tax and Additional Stamp Duty on donations that are sent from overseas.
Do Check:
That your Charitable Organization in Jamaica has been officially established for a charitable purpose.
- Charitable Purpose includes the following
a) the prevention or relief of poverty;
b) the advancement of education;
c) the advancement of religion;
d) the advancement of health or saving of lives;
e) the advancement of good citizenship or community development;
f) the advancement of the arts, culture, heritage or science;
g) the advancement of amateur sports;
h) the advancement of human rights conflict resolution or reconciliation;
i) the promotion of religion or racial harmony or equality and diversity;
j) the advancement of environmental protection/improvement;
k) the advancement of animal welfare;
l) the relief of those in need because of youth, advanced age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage (including temporary disadvantages such as the effects of a public disaster or public emergency);
Waivers and tax reliefs are provided under the following elements of Schedule 3: The Customs Act, the General Consumption Act, the Income Tax Act, the Property Tax Act, the Stamp Duty Act and the Transfer Tax Act;
Do Take Note of the Following:
- For shipments to multiple beneficiaries in Jamaica, each beneficiary must be registered and named on the shipping documents;
- The donor should be able to provide the name of the beneficiary;
- The beneficiary must be registered under the Charities Act;
- Schools are beneficiaries of educational material under the Second Schedule and sportswear under the Third Schedule of the Customs Act;
- Churches which receive donations are required to be registered under the Charities Act;
- All Charitable Organizations should present the approved Charitable Organization Certificate and a valid Tax Compliance Certificate to the Collector of Customs for processing in order to receive duty free privileges from the Jamaica Customs Agency.
- The documents are then verified and affixed a locator number (cc#);
- Although Charitable Organizations are entitled to relief of Customs Duties, General Consumption Tax, Special Consumption Tax and Additional Stamp Duty on general cargo, they will however be required to pay the Environmental Levy and Customs Administrations Fee (CAF) on general cargo.
- Approved Charitable organizations are subject to post audits from both the Jamaica Customs Agency and Tax Administration Jamaica from time to time.