Jamaica Business Opportunity Service

Once you have decided to export commercially you should  register with Jamaica Trade and Invest (JTI/JAMPRO). You may also use a customs broker to assist in the process.  If you are exporting personal items or you intend to make only one shipment then you should employ the services of a customs broker who is registered to export. 

1. Obtain a Taxpayer's Registration Number (TRN) and Tax Compliance Certificate from the Inland Revenue Department

2. The import licence is obtainable at the Trade Board for products requiring a licence

3. Obtain customs broker services if import value exceeds US$5000.00. You may need to do one or more of the following, depending on the product being imported:

• Contact the Ministry of Agriculture - Plant Quarantine/Produce Inspection Unit or the Veterinary Services Division for an import licence and permit for agricultural, horticultural or aquacultural products;

• Contact the Ministry of Agriculture - Food Storage and Prevention of Infestation Division for processed foods regarding importation procedures;

• Contact the Ministry of Agriculture - Pharmaceutical Services Division/Pesticides Control Authority for related products

• Obtain a 807/CMT card for garments from Jamaica Trade and Invest

4. Collect airway bill or a bill of landing from airlines and shipping lines

5. Submit documentation for cargo clearance from the Jamaica Customs Department

A work permit allows an expatriate to work in Jamaica for a period of between six months to three years.

Requirements For Obtaining a Work Permit in Jamaica

• Completed application form (All sections must be properly completed)
• Two photographs (to be certified by a Justice of the Peace or Notary Public with a valid commission)
• Processing fee of J $1,000.00 to be paid at any branch of National Commercial Bank (NCB). Copies of the bank vouchers titled “Accounts copy and Work Permit copy” should be attached to the application.
• Proof of qualification (e.g. diplomas, certificates to be certified by a Justice of the Peace or Notary Public with a valid commission)
• Resume of the applicant
• Police Record - to be issued by the appropriate Security Authority in the country of the applicant's domicile
• Proof of business registration (Certificate of Incorporation and Memorandum of Association)
• A Tax Registration Number (TRN) or completed TRN Application Form
• Tax Compliance Certificate if enterprise is in operation for at least a year
• For certain positions, original newspaper advertisement (entire page on which advertisement appears), showing the name of the publication and date.
• Certified copy of pages from the passport showing:
  • proof of identify
  • passport number
  • date of issue and expiry
  • landing status in Jamaica

• Cover letter from the local employer requesting a work permit for the potential employee. The letter should be addressed to:

The Permanent Secretary
The Ministry of Labour and Social Security
1F North Street
KINGSTON

Kindly note :

a) Work permit fees will be applicable according to the duration for which the work permit is granted. The work permit fees will start from J$10,000 for any period up to three (3) months and will increase thereafter in increments of J$10,000 for any period of three (3) months or part thereof (e.g. one year for J$40,000). This is payable at any branch of NCB after notice of approval has been received.

b) Application forms and cover letter must be submitted in triplicate with two sets of supporting documents.

C)  The cover letter should state efforts to recruit a Jamaica national to undertake work contemplated, and the expected duration of the work to be undertaken by the applicant.

Persons wishing to build on property in Jamaica must:

• Have possession of the title for such property and ensure that all property taxes are paid
  
• Make an application to the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC), if the property is located in Kingston and St Andrew, or to the parish council office in the case of other parishes
  
• Submit design of building done by registered architect
  
• Submit a site plan, which shows the boundaries of the lot
  
• Provide quantity surveyor’s report, stating the costs involved in the process of construction
  
• The situation of the building on the land done by a draughtsman
  
• Submit a topographical survey of the land, if it is not flat

An investor who wishes to purchase land in Jamaica will have to:

• Identify the property and purchase it through a registered real estate agent or on his own
  
• Make arrangements with the real estate agent, or directly with the owner, to view the property
  
• Make an offer of purchase, through a real estate agent, If the property is being bought through an agency
  
• Make a deposit if the offer of purchase is accepted
  
• Sign a sale agreement with the vendor at the real estate agent’s office or in the presence of a lawyer
  
• Should the purchase involve obtaining a mortgage, the time in which to complete the transaction is three (3) months from the date of signing. Should it be a cash purchase, the time should be determined by the purchaser and vendor.
  
• Sign a sale agreement with the vendor before the transaction becomes legally binding and submit application for the property to the Office of the Registrar of Titles.

Small Business loans are available at the following institutions, which will also provide investors with the criteria for accessing credit.

Self Start Fund
10A Parkington Plaza
Kingston 10.
Phone: (876) 929-8441-2
Fax: (876) 929-3499

Micro Investment Development Agency
Shops 3 & 4
1 Beechwood Avenue
Kingston 5.
Phone: (876) 968-5191-3
Fax: (876) 968-5192

National Development Foundation of Jamaica
22C Old Hope Road
Kingston 5.
Phone: (876) 929-4100; 929-3812; 929-3827
Fax: (876) 926-1216

Credit Organisation for Pre-Micro Enterprise
2 Lismore Avenue
Kingston 5.
Phone: (876) 968-1187; 960-0776

Export-Import Bank of Jamaica (EXIM Bank)
48 Duke Street
Kingston
Phone: 922-9690-9
Fax: 922-9184
E-mail: eximjam@cwjamaica.com

Investors who want to commence operations in Jamaica must:

• Prepare a detailed proposal, which assesses the feasibility of the project
• Obtain a business visa If you are neither a Jamaican or a citizen of a British Commonwealth nation
• Obtain a work permit if you are not a Jamaican national
• Incorporate a local company or register a business name with the Office of the Registrar of Companies
• Secure land or commercial space
• Submit application for utilities: Water from the National Water Commission (NWC), Electricity from the Jamaica Public Service Company Ltd (JPSCo) and Cable and Wireless Jamaica Ltd, Digicel and Oceana Digital for telecommunications.
• Obtain a Taxpayer Registration Number (TRN) from the Inland Revenue Department, which must be affixed to all written communication from business enterprises to all government revenue department
• Obtain National Insurance (NIS) reference number from the Ministry of Labour and Sports.
• Obtain National Housing Trust (NHT) registration
• Obtain General Consumption Tax (GCT) registration
• Register with Jamaica Trade and Invest, in order to export
• Obtain a Tax Compliance Certificate
• Conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment study for certain specified industries
• Obtain a licence for importation of motor vehicles from the trade board
• Apply for government incentives through JAMPRO
• Have their operations inspected and licensed by relevant government departments

Companies primarily exporting their services can choose to occupy space in any of the three major goverment-owned freezone areas, which are:

Kingston Free Zone
27 Shannon Drive
Kingston 15

The Kingston Free Zone situated on Jamaica\'s south east coast in the hub of the capital city, Kingston. It borders the world\'s seventh largest natural harbour, the Kingston Harbour and 22.4 kilometers(14 miles) away from the Norman Manley International Airport.

Montego Bay Free Zone
Montego Freeport
Montego Bay

The Montego Bay Free Zone is located on the peninsular south west of Montego Bay, Jamaica\'s second largest city and the largest tourism area in the island. It is in close proximity to the Port of Montego Bay and and 30 minutes away from the Sangster International Airport.

Garmex Free Zone
76 Marcus Garvey Drive
Kingston 13

The Garmex Free Zone is located in the industrial section of Kingston.

• Another major free zone area is the privately-owned Cazoumar Free Zone, which is located in the Montego Freeport.
  
  Some firms can operate outside the Free Zone complex under the single entity free zone incentive if the company:
  • is registered according to the provisions of the Companies Act
  • exports at least 85% of its production
  • receives approval from the Bank of Jamaica

• Obtain a Taxpayer Registration Number (TRN) from the Inland Revenue Department
  
• Register with JAMPRO, and enquire if the product(s) qualify for any type of preferential treatment in an overseas market
  
• Contact the Jamaica Bureau of Standards regarding the product standards, labelling and export specifications
  
• Contact the Ministry of Agriculture regarding the requirements for agricultural, horticultural and aquacultural exports
  
• Contact airlines/shipping companies regarding transportation costs
  
• Obtain a permit from relevant bodies for the export of particular products
  
• Contact JTI/JAMPRO for further details.

Most goods entering Jamaica are subject to customs duties ranging up to 25% and the General Consumption Tax (GCT) of 16.5% (excluding those products that are zero-rated or specifically exempted items). Imported CARICOM goods that satisfy the rules of origin are not subject to any customs duty. Additionally duties on motor vehicles vary from:

• 67% - 288% for motor cars
  
• 30% - 288% for commercial vehicles
  
• 10% - 105% for buses
  

For current rates contact the Jamaica Customs Department

A ‘recognized film producer’ is entitled to:

• Relief from income tax for a period not exceeding nine (9) years from the date of the first release of the motion picture
• An investment allowance of 70% of the expenditure on the facilities, which may be carried forward beyond the initial nine (9) year period, is also granted for income tax purposes
• Exemption from the payment of import duty on equipment, machinery and materials for the building of studios or for use in motion picture production.