Edmond Campbell, News Coordinator

The regulatory framework for the lucrative scrap metal industry in Jamaica has been drafted and was tabled in a ministry paper, last Tuesday, in the House of Representatives.

As part of the new regime, the industry will be regulated under the proposed Trade (Scrap Metal) Regulations, 2007.

The ministry paper states that the regulations would be established under the Trade Act, with a licensing authority to monitor and regulate the purchase, sale and export of scrap metal.

According to the ministry paper, all licences will be issued through the Trade Board, which has responsibility for management of import and export licensing regimes.

Additional requirements

Other requirements under the trade regulations include:

Issuing of export licenses per shipment based on on-site inspection of the loading of containers by Jamaica Customs Officers

All scrap metal exporters must be registered with Jamaica Trade and Invest (JTI).

All proposed container loading sites must be approved by the JTI.

Customs brokers who do not own or operate processing facilities for the export of scrap metal will not be registered to export scrap metal products.

Approved exporters of scrap metal must obtain a licence from the Trade Board. Other persons involved in the purchase and sale of scrap metal will be required to have a dealer's licence.

edmondcampbell@gleanerjm.com