The Christmas season is the busiest period for the Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA), with importers clearing volumes of items and cargo at the airports and seaports.

During this period, people may also seek to import items into the island which are classified as restricted or prohibited. Restricted items require a permit and/or licence in order to be imported. Prohibited goods are not allowed into the country.

The JCA continues to implore its customers, both local and overseas, to contact the Agency or the relevant agency prior to importing certain items into the country which may require a permit. It is important that importers comply with Customs laws and other relevant legislation governing the importation of certain items into Jamaica (such as meats, motor vehicles, pesticides, agricultural produce, human remains, etc.). Below are agencies for which the JCA performs border protection or agency functions.

o The Firearm Licensing Authority

o The Pesticides Control Authority

o The Plant Quarantine Unit, Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture & Fisheries (MICAF)

o The Veterinary Services Division, MICAF

o Trade Board Ltd

o Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority (JCAA)

o The Public Health Department, Ministry of Health

o Bureau of Standards, MICAF

o National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA)

o Tax Administration Jamaica

o Coconut Industry Board

o Spectrum Management Authority

o Department of Cooperatives and Friendly Societies

Importers can be breached for failing to obtain the relevant permits when importing certain items. Other reasons are:

o Under-invoicing

o False declarations

o Undeclared excess goods

o Intellectual property rights violations

o Violations of the requirements of regulatory authorities

Ensure:

o No excess goods are being shipped and invoices are authentic.

o Supporting documents, such as Tax Compliance Certificate (TCC), Certificate of Registration of Approved Charity, etc are valid.

o Documentation for shipments to charitable entities bear the consignee’s name and address.

FURTHER REMINDERS

o If the passenger uses only a portion or all of the allowance (US$500), then the customs officer will indicate on the form the amount of the Duty Free Allowance utilised. Once there is an allowance remaining, the passenger will utilise the balance to clear the unaccompanied baggage.

o The C27 or ‘Yellow Form’ is valid for clearing goods that arrive in the island two months before, or after the passenger arrives.

o Goods with a Cost Insurance and Freight (CIF) value of more than US$5000 must be cleared by a licensed Customs Broker.

o If you received an unaccompanied baggage clearance declaration (C27/Yellow form) form at the airport, present it along with your passport and Tax Payer Registration Number (TRN) card to the Customs Official at the warehouse.

o Barrels containing ‘personal effects’ (food, clothes, toiletries, basic household items) or ‘non-commercial’ items attract a minimum charge of JMD$6,500.00 per barrel.

o If items are being cleared on behalf of a consignee, the representative must present a letter of authorisation, signed and stamped by a Justice of the Peace (JP). The consignee’s Tax Payer Registration Number (TRN) card and valid identification must be presented to the Customs Official (photocopied documents must also be signed/stamped by a JP).

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR CLEARING YOUR ITEMS

o Tax Registration Number (TRN)

o Valid Identification (Driver’s Licence, Passport or Voter’s/National ID).

o Passport/receipt from the Kiosk in the Immigration Hall, if the C27 ‘Yellow Form’ is used.

o Invoice

o Bill of Lading or Air Way Bill

o C27 (Unaccompanied Declaration Form)

o C86 (Goods Declaration Form)