Visitors and customers visiting the relaunched website of the Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) now have the opportunity to engage and interact directly with the agency’s customer service representatives via ‘Live Chat’, an online communication channel.

The use of the ‘Live Chat’ communication platform forms part of the agency’s strategic focus to improve its customer service delivery, as clients can now make enquiries and receive responses from the JCA’s customer service representatives in real time. The feature also allows customers to leave messages, which are routed as emails to representatives for follow-up.

The ‘Live Chat’ feature will augment the agency’s general email channels, namely: public.relations@jacustoms.gov.jm, quick.response@jacustoms.gov.jm which customers currently use to make enquiries, lodge complaints or provide comments. You may also contact the Customer Service Team at: 922-5140-8, extensions 3148, 3149, 3009 or 3497.

Also in train for implementation on the website is a duty calculator, which will allow customers to calculate their estimated charges for duties and taxes on items being imported.

Among other things, visitors to the JCA’s website can find information covering:

o† Daily (foreign) exchange rates

o† Import and export procedures

o† Transshipment procedures

o† Trade agreements

o† CARICOM imports

o† Motor vehicle imports

o† Barrel clearances

o† Customs and related laws

o† Valuation procedures

o† News stories and newsletters

o† Upcoming auctions

Users of the Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA World) will continue to access this portal via the JCA’s website.