In Jamaica, many people and business entities – small, medium-sized or large – import items for resale or for business purposes.

In this series, the Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) provides answers to some frequently asked questions covering the importation of commercial goods:

1. What are commercial goods?

Goods are classified as commercial if they fall into any of the following categories:

• xempmargin;They are imported for business purposes.

• They are imported for resale.

• xempmargin;They are samples imported for business purposes.

2. What are the documents needed to import commercial goods?

• xempmargin;Shipping documents such as a Bill of Lading or Airway Bill.

• xempmargin;An authentic invoice from the supplier.

• xempmargin;Import permits or licences, where applicable.

• xempmargin;A Tax Compliance Certificate (TCC), Taxpayer Registration Number (TRN) and a copy of the General Consumption Tax (GCT) Certificate.

• xempmargin;An Original Certificate of Origin, if the goods are being imported from a country with which Jamaica has a trade agreement, and for which preferential duty treatment is being claimed.

3. What are the payment options when clearing commercial goods?

• Cash up to a maximum of $1 million

• xempmargin;Online Payment – importers must register with the JCA in order to pay online

• Debit or Credit Card

• Manager’s Cheque

• xempmargin;Direct Bank Transfer using Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS)

• Advanced Deposit Account

4. When do I need a Customs Broker?

• xempmargin;pempmargin;mempmargin;Goods with a Cost Insurance and Freight (CIF) value of more than US$5,000 must be cleared by a licensed customs broker.

• xempmargin;The clearance of all motor vehicles must be done by a licensed customs broker.

• xempmargin;Where the CIF value of the goods is US$5,000 or less, the use of a customs broker is optional. Goods of this value can be cleared by the importer at the port of entry upon presentation of the clearance documents to the Customs Officer.

NB: People must ensure that they use only customs brokers who are registered with the Jamaica Customs Agency and possess a valid licence to practise.

5. How are commercial goods cleared?

• xempmargin;Commercial goods must be cleared using the Electronic Single Administrative Document (eSAD) on the Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA).

• xempmargin;If a customs broker is required, then all documents must be presented to the broker who will complete the clearance process.

• xempmargin;When the service of a customs broker or local agent is used, the C73 Form must be completed by the importer and the form processing fee of $5,000 paid to the JCA. This form is valid for one year.

• xempmargin;If a company employee/or person so authorised by the company is used to effect clearance, a letter of authorisation from the company must be provided as well as a valid company ID (for employees).

The Clearance Process

• 2empmargin;Collect shipping documents from local agent and pay relevant fees.

• 2empmargin;A customs broker or authorised agent will prepare the commercial entry and submit to the Entry Processing Unit of the JCA.

• xempmargin;The importer/agent will proceed to the Customs cashier and pay the relevant fees after the entry is passed by Customs.

• xempmargin;Proceed to the port or warehouse and pay the relevant local handling charges and storage fee, if applicable.

• xempmargin;The warehouse operator will locate the goods and place them in the examination area.

• xempmargin;A Customs Officer will be assigned to examine the shipment against the documents presented by the importer/agent. If there are no discrepancies, a Customs Release will be generated.

• xempmargin;A gate pass will be issued to the importer/agent by the port operator.

For further information contact:

Jamaica Customs Agency

Myers’ Wharf, Newport East, Kingston 15

Telephone: 922-5140-8

Toll free: 1-888-CUSTOMS (1-888-287-8667)

Email: public.relations@jacustoms.gov.jm

Website: www.jacustoms.gov.jm

Follow: @jacustoms