Free import
• All arriving passengers must complete the free Electronic Passenger Declaration (C5) at enterjamaica.gov.jm before clearing customs.
• For travelers aged 18 or older: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 230 g of processed tobacco.
• For travelers aged 18 or older: 2 L of alcoholic beverages.
• For travelers aged 18 or older: 170 ml of perfume and 340 ml of eau de toilette.
• For travelers aged 18 or older: personal and household effects, including gifts, not for sale or commercial use, worth up to USD 1,000 in total (or the equivalent in Jamaican dollars). This allowance does not apply to aircraft or ship crew.
• Used household effects, and tools and instruments of your profession or trade that you have owned and used for a reasonable time.
• If you bring personal electronic devices worth more than the allowance that you will take back home, you may have to deposit the duties and taxes; the deposit is refunded when you show the items to customs on departure.
Currency
• There is no limit on the amount of money you may bring in.
• Cash and other monetary instruments worth more than USD 10,000 (or the equivalent in other currencies) must be declared on the C5 form. You must also complete a cross-border declaration and be able to show the source of the money and its intended use. Failure to declare is an offence under the Proceeds of Crime Act and the money may be seized.
Prohibited
• Illegal drugs, including marijuana (ganja)
• Indecent or obscene prints, paintings, photographs, films, books and other obscene articles
• Counterfeit coins
• Publications of de Laurence Scott and Company and of the Red Star Publishing Company (both of Chicago, USA) on divination, magic, cultism or supernatural arts
• Honey and honey products
• Live or processed conch and lobster
• Pork and pork products from the USA (except in sealed cans), and beef and beef products from Canada
• Dogs of the following breeds: Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Japanese Tosa and Pit Bull Terrier, and hybrid dogs or cats
Restricted
• Meat, poultry, seafood, milk, cheese and pet food need a veterinary import permit (www.moatrade.gov.jm), up to 45 kg per person for personal use, in the original packaging. Items brought in without a permit are confiscated and destroyed. Up to 10 kg of salted fish, baked goods, sweets, condiments, canned fish and sealed infant formula do not need a permit but are still inspected. All animal products must be declared on the C5 form.
• Fresh fruit, vegetables, plants and plant products need a plant import permit from the Plant Quarantine/Produce Inspection Branch of the Ministry of Agriculture, applied for online through JSWIFT (www.jswift.gov.jm).
• Dogs and cats need a Veterinary Import Permit from the Veterinary Services Division, applied for in advance. Jamaica is not part of any pet passport scheme. Pets may come directly only from approved (Category 1) countries; pets from other countries must first live at least 6 months in an approved country. Pets need a microchip, rabies vaccination with a FAVN antibody test, further tests and treatments set out in the permit and an official veterinary health certificate. Pets must arrive in Kingston and may be placed in quarantine for at least 14 days. Pets arriving without a permit are refused entry. Contact:
[email protected], tel. +1 876 977 2489 / 977 2492.
• All other live animals, including birds, ornamental fish and service animals, need a veterinary import permit.
• Firearms, firearm parts and ammunition need an import permit from the Firearm Licensing Authority (FLA) before travel.
• Explosives, fireworks, toy guns, gun parts and holsters, bulletproof vests, pepper spray, stun guns, swords and spears, bows and arrows, handcuffs, camouflage clothing, night-vision goggles, laser pointers, radar and metal detectors need a permit from the Ministry of National Security.
• Pharmaceuticals and chemicals need an import permit from the Ministry of Health and Wellness, and pesticides need a permit from the Pesticides Control Authority.
• Motor vehicles need an import licence from the Trade Board Limited.
• Endangered species of plants and animals and products made from them (CITES) need a permit from the Natural Resources Conservation Authority (through the National Environment and Planning Agency).
• Restricted goods brought in without a valid permit breach the Customs Act and can be forfeited, with a fine of up to 3 times their value.