Barrels are frequently shipped into Jamaica, and Jamaicans on the island and overseas often look forward to sending and receiving barrels during the Christmas season, the period during which the greatest number of barrels move through the ports. In order to clear Customs, certain requirements must be met. The list below describes these requirements.
- Collect shipping documents from the shipping agent. Pay relevant handling and/or freight charges.
- Go to the warehouse that is storing your barrel(s). Pay the relevant storage and handling fees.
- Present your shipping documents to the security personnel at the warehouse.
- Once the barrel(s) is located, you will have to open the barrel for examination by a customs officer.
- After your barrel has been examined, the customs officer will place a value on the goods and tell you to proceed to the customs cashier, where you will pay applicable duties and/or fees.
- Present your Release Order to the warehouse operator, who will then issue you a gate pass.
- Go to the delivery area with the gate pass and collect your barrel.
- That’s it! You’ve successfully cleared your barrel through Customs.
If you received an Unaccompanied Baggage Declaration (Clearance) – a C27/yellow form – at the airport, present this document with your passport and Taxpayer Registration Number (TRN) card to the customs officer at the warehouse.
Barrel that contain “personal effect,” which include food, clothing, toiletries, basic household items) or “non-commercial” items require payment of a minimum charge of $6,500 per barrel.
If you are clearing a barrel(s) on behalf of a consignee, a Letter of Authorization, signed and stamped by a Justice of the Peace (JP), must be presented. The TRN card and a valid passport of the consignee must be presented to the customs official. Any photocopied documents must be signed and stamped by a JP as well.
For more information, contact
Jamaica Customs Agency, Myers’ Wharf, Newport East, Kingston 15; Telephone: 922-5140-8; toll free: 1-888-CUSTOMS (1-888-287-8667); Website: www.jacustoms.gov.jm; Email:
[email protected]
Source: Jamaica Customs
