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:
You can also skip ahead to the table containing the list of
Commonly Required Documents.
Jamaica accepts the following items as document shipments.
- Advertising literature and pamphlets
- Airline tickets
- Annual reports and intercompany mail
- Bids and proposals
- Blueprints and drawings
- Business cards
- Cash letters, negotiable bonds, and drafts
- Catalogues and price lists
- Charts and maps
- Cheques
- Computer print-outs
- Credit cards
- Driver's licence
- Graphs
- Manuscripts and publications
- Mylars
- Newspapers and periodicals
- Passports
- Photographs
- Seismic data
- Specifications sheets
- Visa applications
The following items may be shipped as documents if they abide by the
conditions listed.
| Item | Restriction |
|---|
| Brochures | Maximum of 2 brochures |
| Envelopes | Blank only |
| Forms | Blank only |
| Magazines | Maximum of 3 magazines |
| Newsletters | Only if they are for internal company use |
Sources:
https://www.ups.com/ga/CountryRegs?loc=en_US
There are no exemptions from duty and taxes on gifts shipped to
Jamaica from Canada.
Shipments from Individual-to-Individual
A gift shipped from an individual in Canada to an individual in
Jamaica will incur duty and taxes. There are no exemptions.
Shipments from Business-to-Business
A gift shipment from a business in Canada to a business in Jamaica
will be charged duty and taxes.
Shipments from Business-to-Individual
If a Canadian business ships a gift to an individual in Jamaica, it
will attract duty and taxes. There are no exemptions.
Gift Checklist
- A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
- The words 'Gift Shipment' or 'Unsolicited Gift' are included on the
commercial invoice, even if the shipment is sent at Christmas time (see sample)
- List the items in the parcel and write the value of each
- Sending more than one gift in the parcel? Wrap and tag each one
individually.
Sample Commercial Invoice for Gifts
Multiple Gifts in One Shipment
All gifts shipped to Jamaica from Canada will incur duty and taxes.
Ensure to wrap and tag each gift in the parcel separately.
Sample Commercial Invoice for Gifts
Sources:
https://www.ups.com/ga/CountryRegs?loc=en_US
https://www.jacustoms.gov.jm/service/personal-importing
https://www.jacustoms.gov.jm/content/what-are-my-duty-free-allowances-and-exemptions
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
Sources:
https://moa.gov.jm/content/non-commercialpersonal-imports-animal-animal-products-and-animal-related-products-through-1
Sample Commercial Invoice for Food, Chocolate, Candies
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
Sources:
https://www.jacustoms.gov.jm/tags/Travellers
Sample Commercial Invoice for Commercial Sample
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)
- A detailed description of each item is provided
Sources:
https://www.jacustoms.gov.jm/sites/default/files/docs/Free%20of%20Charge.pdf
Sample Commercial Invoice for Promotional Material
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
Sources:
https://www.jacustoms.gov.jm/sites/default/files/docs/Warranty%20Charges.pdf
Sample Commercial Invoice for Warranty Repair
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
Sources:
https://www.jacustoms.gov.jm/article/customs-house-weekly-series-28
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/mgxevi9ch6ne7xp/AAAeYRDhz80EkM6HU7p_dLgKa/Temporary%20Import%20Using%20ASYCUDA%20World%20-%20Version%201.0.pdf?dl=0
Sample Commercial Invoice for Temporary Imports
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.
Sources:
https://www.jacustoms.gov.jm/service/commercial-import
https://www.jacustoms.gov.jm/sites/default/files/jca_ecommerce.pdf
Sample Commercial Invoice for Permanent/Sold Goods
