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What Items Are
Duty Free In Jamaica?

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hip_strip_montego_bay_shoppingWhat Items Are Duty Free In Jamaica? | Shopping on the Hip Strip, Montego Bay

by Sheree-Anita Shearer | Associate Writer

What Items Are Duty-Free In Jamaica? This a very important question if you are travelling and would like to take a few things back home to remind you of your trip.

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What are my duty-free allowances and exemptions in Jamaica?

All adult passengers, meaning those who have attained the age of 18, are permitted to bring the following items without having to pay duty fees.

  • Perfumed spirits - 170 ml
  • Eau de Toilettes - 340 ml
  • Alcoholic beverages - 1 litre
  • Tobacco (sticks) - 200 cigarettes,50 cigars or 230 grams of processed tobacco

It is important to pay attention to the size restrictions of each item as you will be required to pay duties should you exceed these limits. The items must also be properly declared.

You are also allowed to carry gifts, and personal and household effects not exceeding USD 500 (or its equivalent in Jamaican currency) collectively as long as it is not for resale or in commercial quantity.

Should you be coming to Jamaica for work purposes, the tools and instruments needed to carry out your profession are duty-free as long as you can prove you have had them for at least 6 months.

duty_free_shopping_in_jamaica_rosehall_mobayThe Shoppes At Rose Hall (now Main Street Rose Hall)

On vacation in Jamaica, you will find that duty-free jewellery is a go-to for many. While there are luxury shops, excellent brands and design houses scattered all across the island, when it comes to premium jewellery, it is no question that Jamaica has some of the best and rarest in the Caribbean.

From watches to engagement rings and wedding bands Jamaica’s luxury shopping areas provide quite an impressive collection of pieces.

The best places to visit for luxury jewellery are Half Moon Shopping Village, the Shoppes at Rose Hall (now Main Street) and some shops on the Hip Strip in Montego Bay.

In Negril, the Times Square Plaza carries the best options. Ocho Rios has the Tajmahal Shopping centre which has stores such as Bijoux and The Royal Shop and House of Diamonds

Kingston has quite a few options but Bijoux on Dominica Drive or the Swiss Stores Downtown are two of the best.

How are duties calculated by Customs in Jamaica?

The duties are calculated as a percentage of the cost of the goods and considerations for freight and insurance (CIF). The invoice or receipt for the item or items in question makes this process a lot easier. So if you can, present these as well.

What items do you have to declare at customs in Jamaica?

Travellers must declare plants, food, animal products and all monetary instruments equivalent to or exceeding USD 10,000. All passengers are subjected to an interview about their personal background and the purpose of their trip.

Each passenger is asked to respond truthfully and accurately and declare what is in their possession. Also, be prepared for your bags to be checked. When this happens, it is your responsibility to place your bag on the examination area, open and unpack it, and when the search has concluded, repack and close it.

What Cannot be brought into Jamaica?

Indecent and obscene prints in any form. This includes but is not limited to:

  • Clothes
  • Paintings
  • Photographs
  • Engravings
  • Books
  • Cards
  • Written communication
  • Parcels
  • Packages
  • Cinematograph
  • Coin base or counterfeit coin of any country
  • Publications of de Laurence Scott and Company of Chicago and Red Star Publishing Company of Chicago related to divination, magic, cultism or supernatural arts. Publications with similar content are also prohibited.
  • Weapons, explosives and drugs of any kind (except for prescription drugs)
  • Fresh flowers
  • Plants
  • Honey
  • Fruits
  • Meats and vegetables (except canned). Please note that Kosher foods require special documentation
  • Coffee (in any form)
  • Used tyres
  • Two-way radios

It is advisable not to carry a package for persons you are not familiar with. And in the event you do, ensure you are fully aware of the contents of the package.

Jamaica customs examine baggage to check for potential border security and revenue threats. Jamaica customs reserves the right to prohibit any item that has the potential to adversely affect Jamaica in any way.

Red and Green Lines At Jamaica Customs

The red line should be used when you have items exceeding the duty-free allowance, you are travelling with USD 10,000 or more, you have an unaccompanied bag, restricted items, importing commercial goods or samples, not sure about the value of the items in your bag, your goods are being reimported or being imported temporarily (less than 3 months).

The Green line should be used when you have nothing to declare.

What is the fastest way to get through customs in Jamaica?

  • Be sure of the content of your baggage and declare the necessary items
  • Answer your questions honestly and as detailed as possible

Registration of Items for export and re-importation

Sometimes we send or bring items abroad for repairs, tournaments or other reasons. Whatever your reason, you are required to register these items for re-importation.

If the item was repaired, simply present your registration form and the invoice for the repairs done.

You should also register personal items you wish to return to Jamaica with. This registration lasts 5 years and should be presented each time you travel with the item within that period. This will avoid paying duty fees on the same item all the time.

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References & Sources For What Items Are Duty Free In Jamaica?

  1. Duty-free shopping in Jamaica - Jamaica experiences (no date). Available at: https://www.jamaicaexperiences.com/blogs/details/article/duty-free-shopping-in-jamaica (Accessed: December 11, 2022).
  2. Frequently asked questions faqs (no date) Frequently Asked Questions FAQs | Jamaica Customs Agency Website. Available at: https://www.jacustoms.gov.jm/faq-page (Accessed: December 11, 2022).
  3. Prohibited items (no date) Prohibited Items | Jamaica Customs Agency Website. Available at: https://www.jacustoms.gov.jm/service/prohibited-items (Accessed: December 11, 2022).

What Items Are Duty Free In Jamaica? | Written: December 11, 2022

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