Jamaica Customs urges adherence to all requirements for the efficient processing and clearance of goods

The Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) is reminding importers, exporters and Agents to adhere to its requirements, and provide accurate information, including ‘proper invoices’ to aid with the efficient processing of cargo at the ports.

Agents who ship goods to Jamaica are reminded that they MUST follow the steps below for ultimate clearance:

Step 1: Submit cargo manifest, to include breakdown manifests, via the Port Community System (PCS) to the JCA prior to arrival of vessel.

Step 2: Determine whether a request will be made to move goods from the

Port to a Public Bonded Warehouse or have goods examined on the Port.

Step 3: Ensure container is offloaded, and cargo scanned at the Warehouse.

Step 4: Create and submit the simplified IMS4 declaration and upload all supporting documents, to include invoices provided by the importer.

Step 5: Pay the applicable Customs duties and fees for each declaration.

Step 6: Arrange with the Warehouse for goods to be presented to Customs for inspection.

Step 7: Customs Officer inspects the cargo.

Step 8: Cargo is released to the Agent/importer if all requirements are met.

As the JCA works to protect Jamaica’s borders and its people, collect revenue on behalf of the Government of Jamaica and facilitate trade, the agency urges importers to assist by ascertaining from their Agents if all the above-mentioned steps have been adhered to, and all Customs requirements have been met.

The agency continues to improve its border protection initiatives for the benefit of all Jamaicans and as such, has included enhanced non-intrusive inspections and physical examination of goods based on the risk rating of the importer, the goods or the industry, intelligence or random selection.

Importers should therefore allow for sufficient time, for the clearance of their goods.

The Jamaica Customs Agency urges all stakeholders to work with us, as we Keep Our Customers in Focus, while effectively fulfilling all mandates of the Agency.

“Excellence Our Mantra: Building the Capacity of Our Staff. Serving Our Stakeholders with Pride.”

The Jamaica Customs Agency hosted its annual Anti-corruption Panel Discussion at the Terra Nova Hotel in Kingston on August 31, 2022. The event, held under the theme, “Combating Corruption: My Fight, Your Fight, Our Fight,” explored the factors contributing to corruption, and possible actions to manage corrupt practices within government organizations. The event’s panel featured here from (L-R) President, Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprise, Donovan Wignall; JCA Senior Director Legal Affairs, Hazel Edwards; JCA Director, Intelligence Cassel Dunkley; JCA Ceo/commissioner Velma Ricketts Walker, J.P. PSOJ George Overton; Deputy Commissioner Selina Clarke-graham, and moderator, Kingsley Henry (Director, JCA).