Jamaica's crystalline waters, pristine beaches, and tropical climate are well-known to frozen Canadians in February. And though its population is a mere 3 million, this verdant island is famous for:
An inordinate number of world-renowned sprinters and cricketers
Reggae music and Bob Marley
Jerk spice and Blue Mountain coffee
Jamaica is an emerging consumer market with a young population - its median age is 26, so that means the use of e-commerce is only going to grow. And since Jamaica is the largest English-speaking nation in the Caribbean, that's good news for Canadian exporters. So, don't worry, be happy.
Easily compare the best and cheapest shipping options to Jamaica through a variety of carriers using Secureship
Secureship provides safe and affordable shipping from Canada to Jamaica. in case you are an everyday shopper or a business,
you can easily save up to 50% on your international shipping costs by way of accessing our group buying power.
Shipments through Secureship come with full, easy to read tracking information to Jamaica
Tracking #:780123123123
Tel: 1-800-463-3339
Signed By: Pikwalia @ Residence
May 31, 2023
8:49 am
Montego Bay,MB, JM
Delivered
May 30, 2023
7:18 am
Portmore,PM, JM
In transit
May 29, 2023
9:03 pm
Spanish Town, SP, JM
International Clearance
May 29, 2023
8:14 am
Kingston, KI, JM
In transit
May 29, 2023
12:17 am
Toronto, ON, CA
In transit
May 28, 2023
4:30 pm
Ottawa, ON, CA
Pickup Scan
Disclaimer!
While we have made every effort to ensure that the information on this page is accurate, Customs laws and procedures change regularly so it is
important to consult a licensed broker in Jamaica before shipping any goods.
Types of Shipments
Not all types of shipments are created equal. Shipping a television will require different
paperwork, duties, and taxes than shipping an accounting statement, for example.
Here is a list of the most common types of shipments:
Elizabeth Sommerville 8 Trelawny St. Falmouth JMCTY07 Jamaica
Phone: 1 - 876 - 954 - 3228
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Personal effects being delivered to my new address.
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 28 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
5 Pairs
Personal Effects: 5 pairs of various types of shoes
IN
$40.00
1 Each
Personal Effects: Arc'terix Winter Jacket
CA
$478.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Personal Effects Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $678.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Food, Chocolate, Candies
Food may be shipped to Jamaica from Canada for personal use without the requirement of a veterinary import permit though they may undergo a veterinary inspection.
You May Ship
Salted fish (up to 10 kg)
Canned fish
Baked goods
Chocolate and candies
Cereals
Biscuits, crackers, and cookies
Boxed baking mixes
Condiments preBoxed baking mixespared sauces without meat products
Infant formula (commercially prepared, sealed, and labelled - maximum of 45 kg)
Do Not Ship
More than 45 kg of a foodstuff
Honey, and its by-products
Beef and its by-products
Processed lobster and conch
Food, Chocolate, Candies Checklist
Clearly indicate 'Food' on the commercial invoice in the General Description or Remarks section (see sample)
Ensure that your food, chocolate, or candies may be imported into the country
You are not shipping commercial quantities (for any duty & tax exemption)
Check with your carrier that they will accept food shipments
Sample Commercial Invoice for Food, Chocolate, Candies
Ship To
Invoice
Elizabeth Sommerville 8 Trelawny St. Falmouth JMCTY07 Jamaica
Phone: 1 - 876 - 954 - 3228
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Food Shipment - Assorted chocolate bars in their original manufacturer's packaging
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 28 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Box
Nestle Chocolate Bars in original packaging expiring May 2021 (shelf life of 6 months or longer)
CA
$20.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Permanent / Sold Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $20.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Samples
Commercial samples are shipped abroad to elicit sales and display products to future clients.
Commercial samples shipped to Jamaica from Canada will require a deposit in the amount of duty and taxes owed.
The deposit will be fully refunded if the samples are returned to Canada within 6 months of their arrival in Jamaica.
Commercial Sample Checklist
A Commercial Invoice must be included with your shipment
Clearly indicate 'Commercial Samples' on the commercial invoice in the General Description & Detailed Description of Goods (see sample)
The item shipped has tearing, perforation, slashing, defacing, or has permanent marking clearing indicating the item as commercial sample
Elizabeth Sommerville 8 Trelawny St. Falmouth JMCTY07 Jamaica
Phone: 1 - 876 - 954 - 3228
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Commercial Sample - Not for Resale
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 28 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Box
Commercial Sample - Advanced reading copy of Dan Brown's novel.
CA
$20.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Commercial Sample Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $20.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Advertising Material
Advertising and promotional material - brochures, catalogues, pamphlets - may be shipped to Jamaica from Canada providing they are distributed at no cost.
Advertising Material Checklist
Commercial invoice must clearly indicate 'Promotional Material - Not for Resale' (see sample)
Sample Commercial Invoice for Promotional Material
Ship To
Invoice
Elizabeth Sommerville 8 Trelawny St. Falmouth JMCTY07 Jamaica
Phone: 1 - 876 - 954 - 3228
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Promotional Material - Not for Resale
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 28 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Promotional Material: Not for Resale. Product pamphlets to hand out at trade show.
CA
$163.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Promotional Material Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $163.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Repairs
Equipment shipped to Canada for repair will, upon its return to Jamaica, incur duty charges unless it can be shown the repair work was done under warranty.
Items Under Warranty
Equipment under warranty shipped from Jamaica to Canada for repair will be duty-free upon returning to Jamaica.
This will apply to the labour cost and any new parts required for the repair.
Items No Longer Under Warranty
Equipment no longer under warranty that is shipped to Canada for repair will incur duty when it re-enters Jamaica.
Sending Product for Repair to Jamaica
There is no information at this time regarding equipment shipped to Jamaica from Canada for repair.
Returning Repaired Product to Jamaica
When a repaired product is returned to Jamaica from Canada, duty will be owed if the work was not covered by a warranty.
Repair Checklist
Commercial invoice must clearly indicate 'REPAIR & RETURN' under the General Description or Remarks, and include the estimated time of return
(see sample)
Include repair contract with shipment
Serial or product number and the cost of repairs should be indicated under the Detailed Description of Goods section
Include the original shipping documents or tracking number from when the item was first exported to Jamaica or exported to Canada (depending on which case applies)
A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
Elizabeth Sommerville 8 Trelawny St. Falmouth JMCTY07 Jamaica
Phone: 1 - 876 - 954 - 3228
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Repair and Return - Watch being sent for repair
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 28 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Fossil Watch being sent for repair - Model E5, serial # 789456FG7E2 - Repair Cost $76.00
US
$163.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Warranty Repair Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $163.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Temporary Imports
Items shipped to Jamaica from Canada as a temporary import must be covered by a deposit in the amount of applicable duties.
The deposit will be refunded provided the items are returned to Canada within 3 months of their arrival (6 months for commercial samples).
NOTE: An application for an extension of the time can be made to the Collector of Customs before the 3-month time limit.
Goods typically allowed entry for temporary admission include:
Equipment for a manufacturing process
Items for stage and musical productions
Materials and items for conferences, exhibition, and fairs
Commercials samples
ATA Carnets
Jamaica does not recognise ATA Carnets for temporary imports.
Temporary Imports Checklist
Commercial Invoice clearly stating 'Temporary Import'. This must be written in the General Description section and the Detailed Description of Goods.
(see sample)
The goods arrive and leave in the same condition, i.e. they undergo no repairs nor are they used in manufacturing
Stay no longer than the period listed above
Include your ATA Carnet with your shipment (if applicable)
Include the expected return date or the date that it was originally received within the country (whichever applies)
Any above listed items not listed in this checklist
Elizabeth Sommerville 8 Trelawny St. Falmouth JMCTY07 Jamaica
Phone: 1 - 876 - 954 - 3228
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Temporary Imports - Trade show booth and display equipment returning Jan 2020
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 28 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 box
Temporary Imports - Trade show booth and display equipment
CA
$1032.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Temporary Imports Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $1032.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Permanent/Sold Goods
Sold goods shipped to Jamaica from Canada are classified as a commercial import if they are for business purposes, for resale, or samples for a business transaction.
All of these shipments, regardless of value, will incur duty and taxes.
Occasional Shipper
Goods sold for personal use, for e.g. from eBay, will be duty and tax free if the shipment's FOB (free on board) value is $50 USD (about $65 CAD) or less.
Regular shipper
If you regularly ship sold goods to Jamaica, we recommend the use of a Jamaican licenced customs broker.
Sample Commercial Invoice for Permanent/Sold Goods
Ship To
Invoice
Elizabeth Sommerville 8 Trelawny St. Falmouth JMCTY07 Jamaica
Phone: 1 - 876 - 954 - 3228
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Permanent/Sold: Parts and accessories for Canon B78n camera
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 28 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
15 Each
Camera Lenses: Canon EF 50mm, Canon EF 85mm & wide-angle lenses.
CA
$132.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Permanent/Sold Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $1980.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Required Documents
Shipping packages internationally requires a lot of documentation. This process alone can be confusing and time-consuming.
So we’ve narrowed down what documents you might need and ranked them based on likeliness of being needed.
Document Type
When?
Details
Shipping Label / Bill of Lading
Always required
This is a label provided by the carrier (UPS, FedEx, DHL, etc.). Always required because the carrier needs to know the parcel's destination.
Commercial Invoice
Required for all non-document shipments
For all non-document shipments, you will require 3 copies of the commercial invoice (to be included with your shipping labels).
These are for customs purposes and need to be included inside a document pouch outside of the box.
When creating a shipment through the Secureship website, the system will help you create this document automatically.
B13a
Required if value exceeds $2,000 per shipment or is a controlled good
A B13a is required if your shipment exceeds $2000 CAD or is a controlled good
and is destined to a country other than the US, Puerto Rico, or the US Virgin Islands
Canada has a preferential trade agreement with Jamaica. A COO proves that an item has been produced, manufactured or processed in Canada.
When an item with a COO is imported into Jamaica, it will incur a reduced or zero-rated import duty.
Certificate of Insurance (COI)
Infrequently required
Shows that the shipment has been insured.
Banks may request a certificate of insurance when providing letters of credit for the goods. Otherwise,
it is generally your choice whether to purchase insurance for the shipment.
ATA Carnet
Infrequently required
Used to avoid duties and taxes on shipments of temporary nature.
If you ship goods of temporary nature to and from a country, you can obtain an ATA Carnet to expedite the customs clearance process and
ensure that anything of temporary nature is not charged duties and taxes.
Calculation of duty and taxes on goods imported into Jamaica is done using the CIF value of the shipment,
i.e. the sum of the customs value plus insurance costs plus freight charges.
CIF Value = Customs Value + Insurance Amount + Freight Costs
By knowing the CIF value of a shipment, you will be able to predict the duty and taxes owed by the recipient.
Thresholds
Shipments - both commercial and non-commercial - up to a free on board (FOB) value of $50 USD (about $65 CAD) are exempt from import charges.
This is called the de minimis or threshold value.
In Jamaica, a General Consumption Tax (GCT) - the VAT equivalent - is applied to most imports. It currently stands at 15%.
Currency
Jamaican Dollar JMD
Duty Exemption
(De minimis Value)
US$50 (about $65 CAD)
Duty Calculation Method
CIF
TAX (GCT)
15%
Tax Exemption
(De minimis Value)
US$50 (about $65 CAD)
Tax Calculation Method
CIF
Duties on Imports
Other Taxes
All imports incur a Stamp duty. For imports up to J$5,500 (about $45 CAD), a J$5 duty (about 40¢ CAD) applies. Above J$5,500, the duty is J$100 (about 80¢ CAD).
Alcoholic beverages and tobacco products incur a Special Consumption Tax (SCT). Details can be found on page 40 here.
You can purchase
insurance
through Secureship and it is provided by the carrier that will be transporting your shipment.
Each carrier will charge a different amount per $100 of declared insurance. If you indicate that you need insurance for your shipment our system will automatically include the insurance costs for your shipment.
Insurance is great to have in case your package is accidentally lost or damaged by the carrier. But be careful, not everything you ship is insurable. Worse - even if your package contains items that are insurable, if it doesn’t meet the ISTA 3A packaging standard, the insurance purchased through the carrier would not be available to you.
Here are some items that cannot be insured by the carrier:
Personal belongings
Antiques
Artwork
Liquids (including alcohol)
Televisions
Jewellery in excess of $500
Perishable goods
Glass or Ceramic
And many more items
For more information, please see the carrier's terms and conditions.
Shipping to Jamaica from Canada can take between 3-5 business days through the fastest carriers available on the Secureship platform.
More economical services, such as Canada Post, can take up to 1-2 months to complete the delivery.
