Includes import documentation and other requirements for both the U.S. exporter and foreign importer.
Last Published: 8/6/2019

A number of items require an import license and/or permit for export to Jamaica.  Some of these items include: meats, fish, cocunut products, edible oils, soaps, milk powder, refined sugar, plants and parts of plants for perfume or pharmaceutical purposes, gum-resins, vegetable saps and extracts, certain chemicals, motor vehicles and parts, arms and ammunition, and certain toys, such as water pistols and gaming machines.  The Trade Board, the Vetinerary Services Division, and the Plant Quarantine Division, all of which fall under the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture, and Fisheries (MICAF), and the Ministry of Health are responsible for granting licenses and permits, which must be obtained before an item can be imported and sold.

The documents required for the importation of goods are: (1) a supplier invoice; (2) certificate of origin; (3) bill of lading; (4) airway bill; and, (5) other shipping documents to include a declaration of value and an import license, if necessary.  Certain products may also require sanitary or phytosanitary certification.

Upon arrival of the goods in Jamaica, the documents are submitted to the Customs authorities and relevant duties must be paid before the goods can be cleared. The importer may also be required to present a tax compliance certificate and a Taxpayer Registration Number (TRN).

The Jamaican government recently launched an online resource to ease access to trade-related information, the Jamaica Trade Information Portal. 

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.