Returning Residents

Returning residents who satisfy the undermentioned conditions would be eligible for additional duty concessions in respect of personal and household effects and/or tools of trade.

1. A Jamaican national who has attained the age of eighteen (18) years;
2. has been resident overseas for not less than three 3 consecutive years and
3. returning to Jamaica to reside permanently.

Are there any Special Cases?

1. Returning non-Jamaican spouses or persons who qualify as Returning Residents
will be afforded the same concession as their Jamaican partner.

2. Returning students who have attained the age of eighteen (18) years and who
have studied abroad for more than one (1) year but less than three (3)
consecutive years will qualify for concessions in respect of tools of trade and
some personal and household effects.

3. Jamaicans who gave up their citizenship (and can provide proof of their previous
status) who wish to return home will be granted the status of Returning Resident
with the attendant benefits.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

If you intend to return to Jamaica to reside permanently, you should contact the Jamaicans Overseas Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade or any of the Jamaican Embassies, or Consulates in foreign countries in order to obtain a copy of the Returning Residents Information Pack. You can contact the Jamaicans Overseas Department by:
Telephone: 926-4220-8

Phone: 926-4220-8|Email: jodmfaja@cwjamaica.com|www.skillsreturn.gov.jm


Your eligibility for concessions as a Returning Resident is established by the Department of Customs. This must be done after your arrival in Jamaica and before you begin the process of clearing your personal and household effects and/or tools of trade.

  
All good should be imported within six (6) months before or after the arrival in Jamaica of the Returning Resident.

If you are a Returning Resident then call or visit the Returning Resident’s Unit at the Customs Head Office, Newport East, Kingston 15; Telephone: 876-922-5140-9, 876-967-4033 or the Information Officer at 876-967-7618.
Please ask at this Unit for the list of concessions to which you are entitled. In order to establish your eligibility for duty concessions, you will be required to submit:

a) Your passport

b) Such documentary evidence as may substantiate your permanent residence outside of Jamaica for not less than three consecutive years. Note that short visits to Jamaica for vacations, et cetera will not affect your eligibility

c) Such documentary evidence as may substantiate your intention to re-establish permanent residence in Jamaica;

d) In the case of a student, you will also have to provide a letter from your university, college or educational institution confirming the duration of your course of study or time spent at that institution; and

e) The Unaccompanied Baggage Declaration Form (C27) which you received at the airport/seaport on arrival in Jamaica.

f)  When shipping your goods to Jamaica, the goods MUST be consigned to the Returning Resident and should NOT be shipped in any other name.

Documentary Evidence to prove Returning Resident Status may include one of the following: - but is not limited to:

FROM ABROAD
Letter of Separation from employer.
Last three (3) years tax returns.
Pay stubs, W 2, P.45.
Evidence of bills honoured while residing abroad.
Copy of retirement papers/Pension Advice.
Evidence of the Disposal of Property owned.
Copy of Sale of Agreement.
IN JAMAICA
New/ Old Passport in addition to one of the following
Evidence of property acquired
Copy of Light Bill.
Copy of Water Rate Bill.
Tax Receipt.
Lease Agreement
Letter from prospective employer.
Evidence of employment contract

FOR STUDENT RETURNING
Letter from Institution attended.
Copy of 1-20 ID (Student).
Copy of Transcript.
Below is a list of Items that a returning resident cannot get duty free
1 Items for Commercial Use
2 Building Supplies
3 Autoparts
4 Motor Vehicles
5 Building Accessories

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[ Documents ]
[ Additional information for returning residents not expressed in documents ]
[ Additional information for deportees' not expressed in documents ]
[ Concessions for returning residents ]
[ Concessions for returning students ]
[ List of new and used house hold effects ]