Congratulations to the leadership, management and staff of the JCA

THE EVOLVING face of business and international trade continues to challenge traditional mindsets and practice in Customs Administrations the world over, as the dynamics of an increasingly sophisticated global supply chain create new demands for greater efficiency and cutting-edge technology applications.

Businesses want their goods moved faster and at reduced costs. Customs Administrations are required to process increasing volumes of cargo at the ‘speed of business’ without compromising security and enforcement responsibilities.

Jamaica’s Customs Brokers, professional business people who operate at the nexus of commercial businesses and the Jamaica Customs Agency, understand the value of healthy Customs-Business partnerships in our professional practice.

The basis of the CBFFAJ’s advocacy on behalf of our hundreds of members and business clients, is for smooth customs clearance transactions, underpinned and enhanced by coherent and fair Customs policies and procedures at all our ports of entry and exit.

As Jamaica joins the global Customs community to consider how to engage traditional and new partners with purpose, it is important that these engagements be pursued in deliberate and practical ways. One such consideration is the implementation of capacity-building programmes by the Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) for emerging e-commerce traders and other infant businesses on the rudiments of the Customs Administration and Clearance processes. This approach would allow these traders to benefit from trade facilitation tools offered, such as the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme, which aligns with the Government of Jamaica’s drive for greater business innovation, export growth and earnings.

The CBFFAJ stands ready to support such an initiative, which would go a long way to cultivate and sustain critical Customs-business partnerships to achieve our mutual goals and successful outcomes. We are pleased to offer our congratulations and best wishes to the leadership, management and staff of the JCA on the occasion of International Customs Day and Customs Week.

As Jamaica joins the global Customs community to consider how to engage traditional and new partners with purpose, it is important that these engagements be pursued in deliberate and practical ways.