Do you intend to import a motor vehicle or motor cycle? If yes, you must first apply to the Trade Board for an Import Licence and receive same before making arrangements for the shipping of the vehicle to Jamaica .
Documents Required To Import a Motor Vehicle or Motor Cycle:
Import licence: Issued by the Trade Board Linited authorizing the importation of the motor vehicle or motor cycle.
Title: A document issued to the owner of the vehicle/cycle by the Government of the country where the vehicle was purchased.
Bill of Lading/Order: Obtained from the shipping agent with information about the particulars of the vehicle or cycle, the date it landed in the island and the port of entry.
Invoice: An invoice from the supplier is required for all motor vehicles or motor cycles.
Bill of Sight: This is a document on which details of the motor vehicle or motor cycles to be imported are recorded. It is prepared and signed by the broker and certified by Customs.
Tax Compliance (TCC): Obtained from Tax Administration Jamaica
Simplified Administrative Document (eSad)This is the electronic document on which all the particulars of the motor vehicle/cycle, the name of the importer, shipping information and the Customs duties are recorded. It is completed by the Customs Broker and submitted to Customs. Only a licensed Customs Broker should complete this form.
The importation of the following also require a permit from the Trade Board Ltd.
Motorcycles
Pick-up & Truck Cabs
Pick-up Beds
What is the method used for determining the value of motor vehicles?
Under the WTO Agreement, invoices are to be presented to Customs from which the value for duty will be derived.
Is there an age limit for the importation of motor vehicles? Yes
For Light Commercial Vehicles (Pick-ups, Panel/Window Vans, Trucks with seating capacity of 9-14, and unladen weight less than 3000 kg or 3 tones) - six (6) years
For motor cars - Five(5) years
For motorcycles - Five(5) years
For Buses used for the transportation of passengers
seating capacity 15-29 - twelve (12) years
seating capacity 30-44 - fourteen (14) years
seating capacity 45 & over - twenty (20) years
For Trucks used for the transportation of cargo
3,000 - 4000 kg - fifteen (15) years
4001 - 8000 kg -fourteen (14) years
over 8000 kg - twenty five (25) years
For other heavy duty commercial equipment - thirty (30) years
Importation of Damaged Vehicles
The importation of motor vehicles that are considered to be in a damaged or salvaged state is PROHIBITED.
Individuals and Returning Residents
An individual or Returning Resident is allowed to import:
One (1) motor car and one (1) light commercial vehicle or
Two (2) light commercial vehicles
Or one (1) light commercial vehicle and a regular commercial vehicle
Individuals residing in Jamaica are allowed to access this facility once every three (3) years. Returning Residents, having accessed the facility within a particular current year would not be eligible to import vehicles in the capacity of an individual until three (3) years after the date of the importation as a Returning Resident.
Applicable to Returning Residents Only:
All categories of motor vehicles: pick-ups, motor cars, trucks, trailers and other heavy duty equipment– Ten (10) years.
Who qualifies for concessions on motor vehicle importation?
Concessionary rates of duty on vehicles are usually given in special circumstances, for example, when the importer holds a job or position which entitles him to a concessionary rate of duty on the importation of a motor vehicle. People who qualify include farmers, senior teachers and government traveling officers.
Who grants these concessions?
The Ministry of Finance. Applications are submitted through the various government departments to the Ministry and the concession is granted after it is determined that the individual qualifies for such a concession.
Age limit for buses to be used in the transportation sector will be determined by the Ministry of Finance.
NOTE:
Import Duty, Special Consumption tax and GCT is compounded, The processing fee and environmental levy is included in the aggregate Duty.
What are the categories of goods that must be cleared by a licensed Customs Broker?
The clearance of all motor vehicles must be done by a licensed Customs Broker.
Where the CIF value of the goods is US$5000 or less, the use of a Customs Broker is optional. Goods of this value can be cleared by the importer at the port of entry upon presentation of the clearance documents to the Customs Officer.
N.B. Persons must ensure that they use only Customs Brokers who are registered with the Jamaica Customs Agency and possess a valid license to practise.
