KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) is urging individuals who intend to donate large quantities of relief items in response to Hurricane Melissa to coordinate with registered local charities.

Chief Information Officer André Williams explained that individuals are permitted to clear a “reasonable quantity” of approved relief items, however, shipments such as 100 pairs of shoes will be classified as commercial quantities.

“The Government has given this relief for persons to benefit. These are goods that are not for resale, but are destined to be given to individuals. There are persons who would want to send what is deemed a commercial quantity. But of course, this is a private contribution, and that is where the charitable institutions come in. There are a number of registered charitable institutions. We have Food For the Poor and a number of others… and so persons who are associated with charities will be able to now send this larger quantity,” he explained.

Organisations registered under the Charities Act are exempt from import duties and General Consumption Tax (GCT).

The Government has waived customs duty and General Consumption Tax (GCT) on relief supplies and donations to support national recovery efforts following the passage of Category Five Hurricane Melissa.

The duty- and tax-free period, which commenced on October 29 and was originally scheduled to conclude on November 29, has been officially extended to December 31.

Williams also advised that individuals or organisations wishing to donate school supplies should coordinate with the National Education Trust (NET).

NET is a charitable organisation and government agency that has been playing a pivotal role in transforming Jamaica’s education sector by mobilising resources and fostering strategic partnerships with the Jamaican Diaspora, as well as local and international stakeholders.

“For healthcare, it is working with the National Healthcare Enhancement Foundation; they are also a registered charitable institution,” Williams informed.

He assured that all relief shipments arriving in Jamaica before December 31 will qualify for the duty and tax exemptions.

“I guess a lot of people are concerned about the busy period, where there are more goods coming in and then probably a little bit of a delay on the logistics end. But once the goods get in the island before that date, then they’re still eligible to benefit from the relief,” Williams said.

— JIS