The Jamaica Customs Department has advised members of the public should adhere to the following when seeking to import motor vehicles.
An individual who or a company which intends to import a motor vehicle must first apply to the Trade Board for an import licence and receive it before making arrangements to ship the vehicle to Jamaica.
Importers of trucks exceeding three tons, tractor heads and trailers do not require an import licence. Further information regarding import licences may be obtained from the Trade Board at 107 Constant Spring Road, Kingston 10 or 30 Market Street Montego Bay, St. James.
Having obtained the import licence, the individual or company may then make arrangements for shipping the vehicle to Jamaica.
WARNING!
An individual or company will be in breach of Section 210 of the Customs Act if the vehicle lands in Jamaica without the importer first obtaining a valid import licence. Such an importer will be liable to pay a penalty equivalent to three times the value of the vehicle and, in addition, the vehicle may be seized by the Commissioner of Customs.
When the vehicle is imported into Jamaica, the importer must seek the services of a licensed customs broker to clear the vehicle through Customs. The broker will advise the importer of the information and documents required, the procedure to be followed, the port and wharf charges, the amount of duties to be paid to Customs and the fee to be paid to the broker for their services.
After the documents have been processed and the duties, charges and fees paid, the broker may then proceed to clear the vehicle from the port of entry.
All persons/organisations seeking to import buses into Jamaica must first obtain the approval of the Ministry of Transport.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED WHEN IMPORTING A VEHICLE
Import licence: This is issued by the Trade Board authorizing the importation of a motor vehicle. (Telephone: 876-969-0883)
Title: A document issued to the owner of the vehicle by the Government of the country where the vehicle was purchased.
Bill of Lading: Obtained from the shipping agent with information about the particulars of the vehicle, the date it landed in the island and the port of entry.
Invoice: An invoice from the supplier is required.
Bill of Sight: This is a document on which details of the motor vehicle being imported are recorded. It is prepared and signed by the Customs Broker and certified by Customs. This is required for a new or used vehicle if the vehicle has not been properly described on the invoice.
Taxpayer Registration Number (TRN): Obtained from any of the 28 collectorates.
Certificate: Certification Unit, 12 Ocean Boulevard, Kingston; Constant Spring Collectorate, and also at the Mandeville Collectorate, Montego Bay Revenue Centre, May Pen Revenue Centre, Spanish Town Revenue Centre and St. Ann's Bay Collectorate.
Import Entry C78: This is the primary import document on which all particulars of the motor vehicle, the name of the importer, shipping information and the duties paid are recorded. It is completed by the Customs Broker and submitted to Customs. For the clearance of motor vehicles only a licensed Customs Broker should complete this form.
Please refer to the table for the aggregate duty structure based on the cc ratings of motor vehicles. The aggregate duty is calculated on the cost, insurance and freight (CIF) value.
Prepared by Velma Ricketts, Public Relations Manager, Jamaica Customs Department.
