Jamaica - Clear Commercial Imports

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Procedure

Apply In-Person

1. To clear and obtain commercial imports which are shipped from overseas, you should visit the customs office at the port of entry or the warehouse where they are stored. You can view the Jamaican Customs Agency (JCA) contact details via this link:Link the clearance of all commercial goods must be done using the Electronic Single Administrative Document (e-SAD) on the ASYCUDA System.
2. If you will decide to use the help of a customs broker or local agent, you must obtain and complete form C73 authorizing the proxy to clear the imports on your behalf. You can download the form from the JCA website: Link (C 73 - Authorization Of A Person To Act On Behalf Of Another) or download it directly from this link:Link
3. If you opt for the assistance of a Customs Broker, then all documents must be presented to the Broker who will complete the clearance process and if you use the assistance of a company’s employee, you must provide the employee with an authorization letter as well as a valid company ID for employees
4. Visit a local agent and collect all the shipping documents and pay the recommended processing fees
5. Upon receipt of the shipping documents, submit them with all the required supporting documents to the customs broker or authorized person who will prepare the commercial entry and submit it to the Entry Processing Unit of the JCA
6. The customs official at the processing unit will verify the documents and direct you or the broker to go to the Customs Cashier and pay the relevant fees after verification and entry is passed by an officer
7. Then go to the customs warehouse where the imports are stored and present your documents to the customs personnel who will direct you to pay the relevant handling charges and storage fee and obtain the payment receipt
8. After payment, the warehouse operator will locate the imports and place them in the examination area for inspection
9. Then a Customs Officer will inspect and examine the imports against the documents presented by you or an agent/broker and if they are in order, a Customs Release order will be issued to you along with a gate pass allowing the imports to exit the warehouse
   

NOTE: You must ensure that you use only Customs Brokers who are registered with the Jamaica Customs Agency and possess a valid license to practice.

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Required Documents

1. Shipping documents such as a Bill of Lading or Airway Bill.
2. An authentic invoice from the supplier.
3. Import permits or licenses, where applicable.
4. A Tax Compliance Certificate (TCC)
5. Taxpayer Registration Number (TRN)
6. Copy of the General Consumption Tax (GCT) Certificate.
7. An Original Certificate of Origin, if the goods are being imported from a country with which Jamaica has a Trade Agreement, and for which preferential duty treatment is being claimed.
8. Complete form C73
9. Authorization letter for company employees
10. Valid company ID for employees

Office Locations & Contacts

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: [email protected]
Website: Link
Contact details: Link 1

Eligibility

• All commercial imports are eligible to be cleared through the Jamaican Customs Agency
  
  

Goods can be classified as being commercial if they fall into any of the following categories:

• They are imported for business purposes.
  
• They are imported for resale.
  
• They are samples imported for business purposes
  

Fees

Clearance fees are determined by the customs office depending on your imports are payable through:

• Cash, up to a maximum of one million dollars
• Online Payment- you as an Importers must register with the JCA to pay online
• Debit or Credit Card
• Manager’s Cheque
• Direct Bank Transfer using Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS)
• Advanced Deposit Account

Validity

• The authorization form C73 is valid for one year

Documents to Use

• Form C73: Link

Sample Documents

Please attach sample completed documents that would help other people.

Processing Time

• The application will be proceed within one or two days

Related Videos

Videos explaining the procedure or to fill the applications.
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e.gIn the following url 'http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0US7oR_t3M' Video ID is 'Y0US7oR_t3M'.

Instructions

Goodsmust be cleared by a Broker if:

• Goods with a Cost Insurance and Freight (CIF) value of more than US$5000.00 must be cleared by a licensed Customs Broker
• The clearance of all motor vehicles must be done by a licensed Customs Broker.
• Where the CIF value of the goods is US$5000 or less, the use of a Customs Broker is optional. Goods of this value can be cleared by the importer at the port of entry upon presentation of the clearance documents to the Customs Officer.

Required Information

• Names
• Address
• Contact details
• Import Detail
• Clearing broker details
• Declaration

Need for the Document

• You must clear your imports through JCA for them to be allowed entry into Jamaica

Information which might help

• Import Clearance Process Guideline:Link

Other uses of the Document/Certificate

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

External Links

• JCA: Link

Others

More information which might help people.