Country Guide: Jamaica

Household Goods and Personal Effects

Documents Required

• Copy of Passport (data page and landing stamp) (2 copies)
• Work Permit or Residence Permit if not a Jamaican citizen
• Unconditional stamp if Jamaican and arriving on foreign passport
• Tax Compliance Certificate for import of auto/commercial goods
• Tax Registration Number
• Inventory / Packing list
• Original Bill of Lading (OBL) / Air Waybill (AWB)
• Unaccompanied Baggage Declaration Form (C.27) provided at the airport upon arrival in Jamaica or at Customs interview
• Letter of Employment
• Returning residents must also provide the following documents:
  • Customs Declaration Form (C.5) provided to the Customs Officer at the time of arrival
  • Letter notarized by a J.P. confirming place of residence if staying with a friend or relative or a copy of Rental / Lease Agreement, etc.
  • Documents proving customer has lived outside of Jamaica for more than three years
  • Document stating Customer’s intention to re-establish permanent residence in Jamaica
  • Letter of separation from employer at origin (foreigners)
  • Tax returns for the last 3 years (foreigners)
  • Pay Stubs, W2, P45 (foreigners)
  • Invoices or bills from residence abroad (foreigners)
  • Copy of Retirement Papers/Pension Advice, P60 (foreigners)
  • Evidence of the Disposal of Property owned (foreigners)
  • Copy of Sale of Agreement / Purchase Agreement (foreigners)
  • Evidence of property acquired (returning citizens)
  • Copy of utility bill, such as electric bill, water bill, etc. (returning citizens)
• Tax receipt (returning citizens)
• Lease Agreement (returning citizens)
• Evidence of employment (returning citizens)
• Letter from Institution attended (returning students)
• Copy of 1-20 ID (returning students)
• Copy of Transcript (returning students) Note: All documents should be originals or stamped by the J.P. as true copies.

 

Specific Information

• The shipper must be in Jamaica during Customs clearance.  Returning residents may import one new appliance or electronic equipment / computer, used household goods and tools of trade duty-free.  Duty charges are determined after the examination of goods by Customs at the stripping station and are based on the CIF value. They are generally between 5% to 40% plus taxes of approximately 23.8% compounded, depending on the item assessed.  Electrical and electronics equipment may not be compatible with the Jamaica electrical system 220/110V 50 cycle.

Motor Vehicles

Documents Required

• Passport
• OBL
• Import license (which must be obtained prior to import)
• Driver’s license (the shipper can drive in Jamaica for 1 year before a Jamaican license is required)
• Insurance Certificate
• Certificate of Title or registration documents
• Vehicles require an invoice detailing the model, accessories and CIF value
• Tax Compliance Certificate
• Import entry C78

 

Specific Information

• Used vehicles cannot be more than 5 years old and are taxable.
• A Customs broker must clear motor vehicles.

Pets

Documents Required

• Vaccination Record
• Veterinary Health Certificate
• Permit from the Veterinary Division of the Ministry of Agriculture (must be obtained prior to import)

 

Specific Information

• Quarantine may be required.
• Only dogs and cats born and bred in the United Kingdom can be imported.

Restricted/Dutiable Items

• New items (dutiable if less than 6 months old for non-returning residents and invoices must be provided)
• Firearms and ammunition (except where prior permission has been obtained from the Commissioner of Police and Trade Administrator) and drugs.

Prohibited Items

• Drugs

Consignment Instructions

Recommended: Contact the destination agent to ensure all requirements have been met prior to import, especially for differences regarding air / sea shipments.

 

 

 

 

Helpful Website(s):

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1147.html

http://www.embassyofjamaica.org/home.htm