Jamaica - Apply for Customs Broker Licence or Permit

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Procedure

Apply In-Person

1. To apply for the customs broker's license, you should make your application to the Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA). You can view the JCA contact details through this JCA contact link.
2. Obtain the customs brokers license application form from the JCA office in person or you can download the form from the JCA website Application forms link (Please find “Application for Broker's license”).
3. Read the application form and complete it in duplicate for the individual customs broker’s license.
4. Write an application letter in your handwriting outlining the reasons for the application.
5. Then prepare the rest of the supporting documents that are mentioned in the “Required Documents” section below and attach them to the application form in a single file.
6. Visit the JCA office and submit your application to the office of the Director of Customs House Operations.
7. Your application will be verified to determine if it is complete as required and if you meet the required criteria for your application to be considered including conducting a background check on you.
8. The JCA will display a public notice at the customs house for 14 days indicating that application is received for an Individual Licence so that any interested party can objection the granting of the license to you.
9. At the end of the vetting process and the 14 days have elapsed without any valid objection to your application, the application will be forward to the Customs Broker Licensing Advisory Board (CBLAB) for review and consideration for further processing.
10. You will then be referred for assessment to determine competence, knowledge, and capability to carry on business as a Customs Broker. Note that the Assessment will determine knowledge and competence in the use of ASYCUDA, knowledge regarding the business of customs broker outlined in the Customs Regulation, and the associated Code of Conduct and you will be required to pay the relevant training fees.
11. At the end of the assessment, the results will be returned to the CBLAB for review.
12. If you get the required pass marks, you will be recommended to the Commissioner for the granting of the license and you will be informed of the commissioner’s decision through your contact details.
13. You will then be required to pay the relevant processing fees and minimum security or bond requirements for the first year of license.
14. Upon payment, an electronic license and a hard copy license will be processed and issued to you.
15. You will also be issued a license identification card for the individual customs broker.
    

Note: If your application is not successful, you will also be referred to the Commissioner who will be advised that your application is unsuccessful and hence not eligible for the granting of a license and after the Commissioner’s response to the reference, you will be informed and advised of the procedure for the re-sit, reapplication, and/or appeal of the decision made regarding your application.

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Required Documents

• Application form.
• Application letter in your handwriting stating the basis of the application.
• Two passport-size photographs certified by a Justice of the Peace.
• Evidence that you have held a Provisional Licence for a minimum of one year.
• Tax Compliance Certificate (TCC).
• Police Record.
• Two Character References from any of the following persons, (Note that one must be from a Justice of the Peace):
  • Member of the Jamaica Constabulary Force of the rank of Inspector and above.
  • Justice of the Peace (JP).
  • Minister of Religion.
  • Resident Magistrate (RM).
  • Previous Employer.
• Completed and Signed Evaluation and Assessment Form confirming that you were articled to a licensed customs broker for not less than one year during which time a Provisional Licence was issued.
• Evidence of Residence in Jamaica (Recent Utility Bill, etc).
• Evidence of Qualification (Mathematics and English Mandatory). Exemptions are only applicable where applicants satisfy Section 147A (3) of the Customs Regulation.
  

Office Locations & Contacts

JAMAICA CUSTOMS AGENCY
Customs House
Myers Wharf,
Newport East, Kingston 15
Phone: 876 922 5140-8 | 922 8770-3

Corporate Office
2-4 King Street,
Kingston
Phone: 876 948 5151
Opening HoursMonday - Thursday: 8:00am - 5:00pmFriday: 8:00am - 4:00pm
Contact details

Eligibility

Jamaican citizens and residents are eligible to apply.

Fees

• The processing fees is $50,000 for each year.
• The cost of the ID is $2,500 for each year.
• The minimum security or bond is $500,000 for the first year of license and $300,000 for the renewal year or Letter from the Customs Broker Association.
  

Validity

The license and ID is valid for one year.

Documents to Use

Application form

Sample Documents

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Processing Time

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Related Videos

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'.

Instructions

• You should submit evidence confirming Residence in Jamaica.
• Submit evidence confirming minimum educational qualification or evidence of successful completion of qualifying examination or provide evidence of exemption therefrom to satisfy the conditions of exemption outlined in Regulation 147A (3).
• You should not be a disqualified person.
• You should not be under the age of 18.
• You should not be an undischarged bankrupt.
• You should not be suffering from a physical and mental disability that affects your ability to function properly in the business as a customs broker.

Required Information

• Name.
• Type of application.
• Your details.
• Partners or associate information.
• Declaration.
  

Need for the Document

The license proves that you are a certified customs broker as required by Jamaican customs law.

Information which might help

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Other uses of the Document/Certificate

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e.g. Birth Certificate can be used as proof of identity.

External Links

JCA

Others

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