“all goods/items should be imported within six (6) months before or after the arrival in Jamaica of the Returning Resident”
Eligibility for Returning Residents

In order to be considered a Returning Resident under the laws of Jamaica and to benefit from the concession afforded to Returning Residents you must satisfy the following conditions:

1. Be aJamaican national who has attained the age of eighteen (18) years;

  • Has been resident overseas for not less than three 3 consecutive years and
  • Returning to Jamaica to reside permanently.
2. Non-Jamaican whose spouse is a Jamaican Returning Resident
3. Jamaican student who has attained the age of eighteen (18) years and who has studied abroad for more than one year but less than three consecutive years.
4. Jamaican who gave up his/her citizenship (and can provide proof of that previous status) and wishes to return home.


Note: A couple, husband and wife, will be counted as one family if returned together. Spouses not returning together, but within three years of each other, are treated as one family and will get only one concession.
Jamaican students who qualify as returning residents will be eligible for concession in respect of tools of trade and some normally dutiable items such as household effects which may be new or used.

Entitlements of Returning Students
A reasonable quantity Used household effects (conditions applies) Musical Instruments (conditions applies)
1 Television Set
1 Video Recorder
1 Component Set (which may include a cd player)
1 Personal Computer
1 Computer Stand
1 Printer
1 Printer Stand
Documents Required

In order to establish your eligibility as a returning resident you must visit the Returning Resident unit at the Jamaica Customs Department and submit the following documents:

  • Your Passport
  • Validated Bill of Lading or Airway Bill
  • Pay stubs(Jan,Apr,Aug & Dec for each year), W-2 P45, and P60 (Last three consecutive years)
  • Evidence of recent disposal of property owned(for example, Sale Agreement)
  • Documentary evidence that will substantiate your residence outside of Jamaica for three or more years (short visits will not affect eligibility). Documents may include, but not limited to the following:
    1. last three (consecutive) years tax returns
    2. Current retirement papers or pension advice (bus pass/freedom pass/social security letter)
    3. Separation letter from employer. In the case of employment to an individual(e.g. as a household help) the letter must be signed by a Notary Public. The separation letter must state the duration of employment.
  • Documentary evidence substantiating your intention to re-establish permanent residence in Jamaica. This may include, but not limited to the following:
    1. Evidence of property owned in Jamaica
    2. Contract or letter of employment from prospective employer in Jamaica (written on the company’s letterhead and signed by a director of the company).
    3. Rental receipt or rental contract in case of rental
    4. Residency letter from head of household if living with a family member or friend. Letter must be certified by a Justice of the Peace.
  • In the case of students you are required to provide a letter or transcript from the institution where you last studied, or a copy of the student’s I-20. The I-20 must be certified by the last institution where you studied.
  • Taxpayer Registration Number (TRN).
Deportees are required to present their Deportation Order or Case Profile.
  • Letter from Passport, Immigration & Citizenship Agency (PICA)
  • Taxpayer Registration Number (TRN) Card
  • Valid Identification

Personal and Household Effects

Personal and household effects are those items of furniture and household equipment which you may need to re-establish residence in Jamaica. A specified amount of such items, whether new or used, can be imported free of customs duty by an eligible returning resident or student

Tools of Trade

Tools of trade in Jamaican law are instruments, tools, equipment, devices and machines used in the normal course and scope of a person’s profession, trade or occupation without utilizing additional labour.

Returning Residents who wish to import items which fall under this definition in order to pursue their profession, trade or occupation may do so free of customs duty, provided the examining officer is satisfied that:

  • The individual is qualified to use them.
  • The tools are the type and quantity consistent with their profession, trade or occupation.
  • They are not imported for sale or commercial exchange.

Motor vehicles

The Motor Vehicle Importation Policy is primarily administered by the Trade Board Limited, which is responsible for granting clearance permit and import licence for motor vehicle importation. Please note that approval must be granted by the Trade Board before shipping the vehicle to Jamaica.

Pets

Importation of pets or other animals will require a permit from the Veterinary Division of the Ministry of Agriculture prior to importation. It should be noted that in the case of dogs only those born and bred in the United Kingdom may be imported to Jamaica. Certification to this effect must be obtained from the relevant authority in the U.K.

Plants

Importation of plants will require a permit from the Chief Plant Quarantine Officer at Ministry of Agriculture. Application should be made in writing and include the name, quantity, and country of origin of the plant.

Important Contact Information

Returning Resident Unit Jamaica Customs Department Myers’ Wharf Newport East, Kingston 15 Telephone : 750 3098 or 750 3005

Diaspora and Consular Affairs Department Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade 21 Dominica Drive, Kingston 5 Telephone : 926 4220

Plant Quarantine Office Ministry of Agriculture 193 Old Hope Road, Hope Gdns., Kingston 6 Telephone: 977 0637

Veterinary Division Ministry of Agriculture Norman Manley International Airport Telephone: 924 8077 or 924 8079

Trade Board Limited 10th Floor, Air Jamaica Building 72 Habour Street Kingston
Email: info@tradeboard.gov.jm Tel: 967-0507, 967-0674, 967-1047 967-1521, 967-3154, 967-2895 Fax: 948-5441 or 948-7486