KINGSTON, Jamaica — Members of the public and funeral homes are being advised that the Jamaica Customs Agency requires a transit permit to be issued for the importation of bodies (remains) and ashes (cremains) entering Jamaica via the respective health department.

Issuing the guidance in a statement on Thursday, the Kingston and St Andrew Public Health Department said the cost of the transit permit is J$10,000.

It noted that transit permits for remains and cremains entering through Donald Sangster International Airport, Montego Bay, are prepared by the St James Public Health Department while those entering through the Norman Manley International Airport, the Central Sorting Office and the Kingston Sea Port are processed by the Kingston and St Andrew Public Health Department.

The authority said the required documents for bodies entering Jamaica are a death certificate, an embalming certificate, an overseas transit permit, a non-communicable disease document, a copy of identification for the deceased, and a copy of the flight itinerary confirming the port of entry.

Meanwhile, the required documents for the entry of cremains are a death certificate, a certificate of cremation, and a copy of the flight itinerary confirming the port of entry.

For the exportation of remains (bodies and cremains), individuals will need a death certificate, the embalmer’s affidavit (remains), the cremation certificate (cremains), and the copy of the flight itinerary confirming the port of exit.

For further information, individuals are advised to contact their respective public health department.