2024 Jamaica Regulatory - de minimis

From April 1^st, 2024, the Jamaican Customs Authorities increased the Import Customs Duties and Taxes De Minimis value threshold from US$50 to US$100 based on the value of the goods. The De Minimis value allows personal items to be imported into Jamaica without attracting Import Customs Duties and Taxes.

What does this mean for shipper from Rest of the World to Jamaica?

• The increase in the Import Customs Duties and Taxes De Minimis value threshold opens more opportunities for export to Jamaica. Shippers from the Rest of the World looking to enter the Jamaican market can take advantage of the increased De Minimis value threshold for Import Customs Duties and Taxes exemptions.
• To avoid delays, shippers from the Rest of the World to Jamaica shall provide complete & accurate Commercial Invoice data, ideally via one of the DHL Electronic Shipping solutions. This will help to categorize and process the shipments adequately, including those qualifying as De Minimis (personal items with a value up to US$100 based on the value of the goods).

What does this mean for receivers from Rest of the World to Jamaica?

• The regulatory change facilitates access to a wider variety of goods for receivers in Jamaica who will benefit from an increased De Minimis value threshold for Import Customs Duties and Tax exemptions. 
• To avoid delays, receivers in Jamaica shall be aware of the new regulation and understand that shipments with a value greater than US$100 based on the value of the goods will attract the applicable Import Customs Duties and Taxes according to the appropriate Harmonized System (HS) classification.
• Be ready to provide Customs authorities with additional information supporting the products to be imported in case their shipment is selected for further inspection. Additional information can consist, for example, of proof of payment for the product being imported.
• Be aware of the payment of Import Customs Duties and Taxes, i.e.:

1. If the shipper has pre-selected the option to pay for the Import Customs Duties, VAT, and other Customs-related charges: then no further payment is needed from the receiver/importer prior delivery.
2. If the shipper has NOT pre-selected the option to pay for the Import Customs Duties, VAT, and other Customs-related charges: then the receiver/importer will be charged prior to delivery. If the receiver/importer has a DHL account: DHL will invoice your account. If NOTo: DHL will send to the receiver a link for payment to be made online. Alternatively, payment can be made on delivery. 

IMPORTANT

• The Jamaica Customs Agency defines personal items as those goods whose nature, quantity, and intended use indicate that they are for private, personal, or household consumption and do not reflect any commercial intent. Personal items can correspond to Business-to-Consumer (B2C) or Consumer-to-Consumer (C2C) transactions

For additional information, please consult the relevant website link.