Kingston, Jamaica, July 11, 2022- The Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) has established a national working group to participate in an island-wide Time Release Study (TRS) to measure the average time taken for the clearance process of goods in Jamaica.
This disclosure was made public yesterday [July 11].
The working group, which includes the Port Authority of Jamaica, Airport Authority, Kingston Wharves, Kingston Freeport Terminal, and other organisations involved in the trade facilitation process, will be tasked with planning, executing, and monitoring the study.
Marlon Lowe, Deputy Commissioner (Operations), commenting on the initiative, said, “The TRS will help measure the effectiveness and efficiency of border procedures relating to imports, exports, and transit movement of goods.” Lowe added that, “The initiative is consistent with Jamaica’s accession to the International Convention on the Simplification and Harmonization of Customs procedures – Revised Kyoto Convention (KRC).
He also noted that the way Jamaica Customs do business will impact trade and commerce and said: “The study will affect the movement of people, goods, and means of transport, especially as we see an increase in trade volumes.”
Meanwhile, Earl Stewart, Director, Planning and Research at Jamaica Customs, said this study will play a significant role in further improving customs processes across the island.
“This study will allow us [Jamaica Customs] to diagnose specific customs procedures, improve compliance and enforcement, and drive additional automation processes within Customs.”
He also called for participants to ensure that their systems are rid of bureaucracy and offers greater efficiency to Jamaicans.
The TRS, which follows the World Customs Organisations (WCO) TRS Methodology, provides all major stakeholders with the opportunity to engage in an evidence-based debate about how to address the identified bottlenecks and enhance the efficacy and efficiency of border procedures. It is also a vital tool for strategic planning and the implementation of the World Trade Organisation’s Trade Facilitation Agreement.
The last TRS study was conducted in 2009.
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Contact: La Donna Manning, Director, Public Relations and Customer Service at 550-9600 or Nikel Innerarity, Senior Public Relations Officer at 553 0118
Email: public.relations@jca.gov.jm
