Apply In-Person

1. To clear and obtain charitable items which are shipped from overseas, you should visit the customs office where the item is stored. You can view the Jamaican Customs Agency (JCA) contact details via this link: Link
2. Once the items have arrived in Jamaica, write a declaration letter declaring that you are a charitable organization and the items you have imported are intended to be distributed for free or are for charity use
3. Then obtain the rest of the required supporting documents and attach them to the declaration letter
4. Go to the customs office in the port of clearance and present the complete application to the customs clearing officer at the customs warehouse
5. The official will verify your application and ascertain that you are indeed a registered charity organization/company and that you benefit from Organizations Registered Under the Charities Act
6. Once the application is verified, the imported items will be located and inspected by the customs officer and if the goods are in order they will be signed off and issued to you
7. You will then be provided with a gate pass and the item/s will be allowed to exit the customs warehouse.
   

Note that any shipment with a Cost, Insurance, and Freight (CIF) value that is above US$5000.00 must be cleared by a Licensed Customs Broker

• Signed declaration
• Copy of the Certificate of Registration
• Bill of Lading or Airway Bill
• Packing List
• Invoice
• Tax Compliance Certificate (TCC)
• Import Permit or Licence, if applicable
• Valid Identification
• Any other document deemed necessary and applicable to the shipment

Jamaica Customs Agency
Address: Myers’ Wharf, Newport East, Kingston 15
Telephone: 922-5140-8 extns: 3148-50
Toll free: 1-888-CUSTOMS (1-888-287-8667)
Email: public.relations@jacustoms.gov.jm
Website: link
Contact details: Link

• Organization or Companies registered under the Charities Act are eligible to apply

• No import duties are imposed to charitable items

Explain the time until which the certificate/document is valid.
e.g. Birth Certificate Valid Forever

Please attach documents that can be used by people. e.g. links

Please attach sample completed documents that would help other people.

• The application will be processed within one day

Videos explaining the procedure or to fill the applications.
Attach videos using the following tag <&video type='website'>video ID|width|height<&/video&> from external websites.
Please remove the '&' inside the tags during implementation.
Website = allocine, blip, dailymotion, facebook, gametrailers, googlevideo, html5, metacafe, myspace, revver,
sevenload, viddler, vimeo, youku, youtube
width = 560, height = 340, Video ID = Can be obtained from the URL of webpage where the video is displayed.
e.g In the following url 'http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0US7oR_t3M' Video ID is 'Y0US7oR_t3M'.

• You must be registered with the Department of Co-operative and Friendly Societies (DCFS) and obtain a Certificate of Registration prior to the arrival of the shipment
• Shipment must be sent only in the name and address of the registered charitable organization
• The nature of the shipment must be in accordance with your object and powers supplied to the DCFS

For Motor Vehicle:

• Full Import Duty, Environmental levy, and General Consumption Tax will be payable
• Only 50% Customs Administration Fee
• No Special Consumption Tax or Stamp Duty

A list which displays the kind of information which is required to complete the procedure.
e.g.
1. Date of Birth.
2. City or Country of Birth.

• All charitable items imported in Jamaica must be inspected with the customs and allowed entry as required by law

• Charities brochure:Link

Please explain what are other uses of obtaining this document/certificate.
e.g. Birth Certificate can be used as proof of identity.

• Jamaica Customs Agency: Link

More information which might help people.