Jamaica

Specific Information

Owner must be present: The owner of the goods must be in Jamaica during customs clearance.

C.27 form: All passengers must complete the C.27 Unaccompanied Baggage Declaration Form upon arrival at the airport/seaport if they are expecting luggage or household effects to arrive before or after them. The form is valid for 3 months and must be renewed if the shipment has not arrived. Extracts (copies of the C.27) must be obtained if more than one shipment is expected.

Returning residents: May import one new appliance or piece of electronic equipment/computer, plus used household goods and tools of trade, duty-free. The returning resident must have lived outside Jamaica for more than 3 years.

Duty rates: Duty is determined after physical examination of goods at the stripping station, based on CIF value. Rates generally range from 5% to 40% depending on the item, plus government consumption tax (GCT) of 16.5% (per FIDI) or approximately 23.8% compounded (per IAM guide, likely including additional levies).

New items: Items less than 6 months old are dutiable for non-returning residents. Invoices must be provided for all new items.

Electrical compatibility: Electrical and electronic equipment may not be compatible with the Jamaican system (220/110V, 50 cycle).

Works of art and antiques: Duty-free if part of bona fide household effects. Large quantities must be accompanied by a certificate from the Antique Dealers Association of the country of exportation.

Precious metal objects: Subject to duties. Commercial or large imports require an import licence, item values, and a bank guarantee.

Inheritance: Personal effects of Jamaican citizens or persons ordinarily domiciled in Jamaica may be imported with a death certificate. Subject to examination and an affidavit from lawyers.

Diplomatic shipments: No examination required.

Duties & Taxes

Carpets: Used carpets enter duty-free with the C.27 form. Goods must arrive within 2 months prior to passenger arrival or within the timeframe set by the Collector General.

Prohibited & Restricted Items

Importing a Used Personal Vehicle

Required Documents

• Passport
• Original bill of lading (OBL)
• Import licence (must be obtained from the Trade Board before the vehicle is shipped)
• Driver's licence
• Insurance certificate
• Certificate of title or registration documents
• Invoice detailing model, accessories, and CIF value
• Tax compliance certificate
• Import entry C78

Specific Information

Import licence required before shipping. The licence must be obtained from the Trade Board via the online portal at https://tbis.fsl.org.jm/WebImports/Security/TradeLogin.jsp. A customs broker must clear all motor vehicles.

Vehicle age limit: Used vehicles cannot be more than 5 years old (6 years for SUVs and pickups). Qualified returning residents may import vehicles up to 10 years old.

Duty: All vehicles are dutiable. Customs assesses duty based on local market value.

Only diplomats may import vehicles duty-free.

Driving licence: The owner can drive in Jamaica for 12 months on a foreign licence before a Jamaican licence is required.

Pets

• ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip documentation
• Rabies vaccination certificate (within 12 months of entry; 3-year vaccines not accepted)
• Rabies titer (FAVN) test results from an OIE/WHO approved laboratory (more than 3 months and less than 12 months before arrival)
• Preliminary Application Form for pre-acceptance (submitted after steps 2-4 are completed)
• Two internal parasite treatments (14 days apart, second within 7 days of transport)
• Two external parasite treatments (14 days apart, second within 48 hours of transport)
• International veterinary health certificate in English (issued within 10 days of travel, two originals, endorsed by government veterinary authority)
• Veterinary Import Permit from the Ministry of Agriculture (valid for 3 months after issuance)
• Landing form

Country classification: Jamaica classifies countries into two categories. Only pets born in and continuously residing in Category 1 (rabies-free) countries for at least 6 months prior to import may enter Jamaica. Pets from Category 2 (all other countries) are NOT permitted.

Category 1 countries include: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, most EU Member States, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, most Caribbean nations, and others. The full list is maintained by the Ministry of Agriculture.

Pets from unlisted/Category 2 countries cannot be imported to Jamaica. There are no exceptions.

The IAM guide's statement that "only dogs and cats born and bred in the United Kingdom can be imported" is incorrect. Pets from all Category 1 countries are eligible. This is confirmed by both the FIDI guide and PetTravel.

Quarantine: A mandatory 14-day quarantine may be imposed at the National Quarantine Facility at Plumb Point. The inspector at customs makes the determination. Pets in good health with complete documentation may be released without quarantine. EU Pet Travel Scheme pets and service dogs may receive expedited processing.

Rabies vaccination: Required for all dogs and cats over 3 months of age. Must be administered within 12 months of entry. The 3-year rabies vaccine is NOT accepted; annual vaccination is required. The vaccine must be administered after microchip implantation.

Rabies titer test (FAVN): Required from all countries. Must be taken more than 3 months and less than 12 months before arrival. Administered at least 30 days after rabies vaccination. Processed at an OIE/WHO approved laboratory.

Parasite treatments: Two rounds required for both internal and external parasites, at specific timing intervals. This is more demanding than most countries.

Preliminary Application: Must be filed and approved before proceeding with parasite treatments and health certificates. No further tests or treatments should be administered until this form is approved.

Pre-notification: Required twice -- 3 weeks before arrival AND 72 hours before arrival.

Entry point: Pets must enter through Kingston unless authorized by the Chief Veterinary Officer. Arrivals outside business hours (8:30-5:00 Mon-Thu, 8:30-4:00 Fri) or on weekends/holidays incur extra fees.

Banned breeds: Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Japanese Tosa, Pit Bull Terrier, and their crosses. Savannah cats and wolf hybrids are also prohibited.

Minimum age: Puppies and kittens must be vaccinated at 3 months, then wait 180 days after vaccination before entry. Effective minimum age is approximately 9 months.

Rabies vaccine not available in Jamaica. Dogs and cats being exported from Jamaica must travel to the US or another country to receive the rabies vaccination required by most destination countries.

Jamaica is NOT on the CDC high-risk rabies country list.

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