The Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA), as part of its strategy to enhance its business operations, has revamped the operating procedures for the clearance of new motor vehicles by new car dealers into private bonded warehouses and the domestic market, respectively.

The full integration of the e-Trade system with the Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA World) now facilitates real-time transfer of all approved licence details from the Trade Board to include motor vehicle and general cargo.

The ongoing pilot involves select importers, which includes the automated verification of the import licence details against the Customs declaration, mandating the submission of accurate motor vehicle details to include the importer’s Tax Payer Registration Number (TRN), the year, make, model, chassis number and HS-Code classification, which are now required by both systems.

BENEFITS OF NEW PROCEDURES

This revamped clearance procedure has resulted in significant benefits to the importer, the declarant and the JCA. The procedure also allows for the enforcement of business rules which detects, informs and rejects any variation pertaining to the motor vehicle details.

The procedure includes, but is not be limited to functionalities, such as the automated detection and notification of an import licence infraction (breach) for further processing by the proper officer.

All motor vehicle import declarations must be submitted and cleared in accordance with Customs laws, and guided by provisions of the Revised Motor Vehicle Policy of 2014.

This clearance procedure is applicable to Declarations submitted which reference the Import Regime and Customs Procedure Codes as follows: (See table)

NEW PROCEDURES:

Step 1: Preparing the import declaration for declarant

Access ASYCUDA World goods clearance and create declaration using suitable IM – Import Regime

Complete e-SAD/c87E details

Complete valuation note

Complete motor vehicle tab

Input container details (if applicable)

Reference import licence details

Upload PDF copies of supporting import documents

Reference Advanced Deposit Account (ADA) details prior to submission – ( if not using other payment options)

Submit declaration

Using ASYCUDA system

Verify Trade Board Licence referenced

Note: The system will issue a notification if a licence breach is detected and automate the allocation of the declaration to the proper officer without suspending the registration process

Verify ADA referenced (if used to apply payment)

Conduct all other consistency and validity checks

Send email notification upon successful registration

STEP 2: MAKING PAYMENT

Declarant

Makes online payment using AW portal or print assessment notice for payment at cashier

Cashier (over the counter transaction)

Accepts payment for import declaration

System

Trigger automated lane assignment (Green Lane 70 per cent, Blue Lane 30 per cent)

Automatic workload assignment to control office (if required)

Automatic workload assignment to Customs Office of clearance

STEP 3: DOCUMENTARY REVIEW — ADDITIONAL CONTROLS REQUIRED

• Processing Declarations with Special Tax Treatment/Duty Concession

Proper officer

Conducts documentary review

Review results as satisfactory

Performs controls

Results unsatisfactory

Routes declaration to query status/complete inspection act

Processing declarations with licence breach detected

Designated supervisor

Conducts review in accordance with the established breach procedure

Update inspection act and effect control once breach procedure is satisfied

A provisional clearance may also be done upon verification of deposit paid against the breach

STEP 4: RELEASE/EXIT PROCESSING

Proper Officer

Verify vehicle particulars and generate release order (if satisfactory)

Declarant

Present release order to exit officer along with gate pass issued by terminal operator

Customs delivery officer

Verify release order details and conduct required vetting

Generate exit note

Validates exit of goods