Bringing your car home is one of the biggest decisions in moving back to Jamaica. It is also where returning residents make the most expensive mistakes. The two rules to know first: you need a Trade Board import permit before the vehicle ships, and returning residents get no duty concession on motor vehicles.
Do returning residents pay customs duty on cars?
Yes. Jamaica Customs does not grant returning residents a duty concession on motor vehicles. Your household goods and tools of trade may enter duty-free, but your car is assessed for full customs duty Jamaica rates and taxes. Customs works out the value from your purchase invoice, so keep every receipt.
How old can the vehicle be?
The Trade Board Limited sets age limits for imported vehicles, and they differ by vehicle type. Returning residents are allowed an extended age limit compared with other importers. Because limits are reviewed over time, confirm the current limit with the Trade Board before you buy or ship. A vehicle that arrives over the limit may not be allowed in.
As a returning resident, you may import:
- one motor car and one light commercial vehicle (such as a pickup or cargo van), or
- two light commercial vehicles.
Step 1: Get your Trade Board import permit first
Apply for the permit through the JSWIFT portal before the vehicle leaves the exporting country. Register on JSWIFT, then submit the permit application with your vehicle details. The vehicle must also pass a pre-shipment inspection, and the exporting country must issue a pre-inspection certificate.
Step 2: Prepare your documents
| Document | Where it comes from |
|---|---|
| JSWIFT import permit | Trade Board Limited |
| Title or export certificate | Government of the country of purchase |
| Supplier invoice | Seller or dealer |
| Bill of lading | Your shipping agent |
| Tax Compliance Certificate | Tax Administration Jamaica |
| Two forms of ID and TRN | Passport, driver’s licence, national ID |
| Special Declaration | Prepared by your customs broker, signed by you and the broker |
By origin: a US vehicle needs its bill of sale and certificate of title; a Japan vehicle needs its export certificate in English and Japanese; a UK vehicle needs its registration certificate.
Step 3: Clear it through a licensed customs broker
Vehicles must be cleared by a licensed customs broker. You cannot clear your own vehicle. Your broker lodges the declaration, calculates duties and taxes, and arranges the inspection and release.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Shipping before the Trade Board permit is approved.
- Buying a vehicle without checking its model year against the current age limit.
- Expecting the car to be covered by your household goods concession.
- Losing the original title or invoice.
Get a duty estimate before you buy
Ask us for a vehicle duty estimate before you commit to a car abroad. WhatsApp our customs broker Jamaica team at (876) 575-3082, review the returning resident documents checklist, or read what is truly duty-free for returning residents.
Age limits, duty rates and permit rules change. Confirm current requirements with the Trade Board and Jamaica Customs before you buy.