THE JAMAICA Customs Agency (JCA) is reminding overseas charities, foundations and importers generally, of the requirements and procedures for clearing charitable items. The agency said it “recognises the significant contribution and the crucial role charities play in the social development of Jamaica and the ease at which they do business with the entity, is at the forefront of the Agency’s Trade Facilitation mandate”. As such, JCA said charitable organisations must note the following: 1. All shipments must be consigned, in the name and address of the charitable organisation only, before it arrives in Jamaica. 2. A tax compliance Certificate (TCC) is required for clearing all shipments. 3. Where an individual other than officers of the charitable organisation is being asked to undertake clearance, a notarised letter of authorisation on the organisation’s letterhead must be presented to Customs. 4. The name and signatory on the authorisation letter must be compatible with the information uploaded to the JCA’s database in respect of said charitable organisation. 5. A Special Declaration must be completed and signed by the responsible officer on the organisation’s letterhead. This is to be given to the authorised person conducting business on behalf of the Charity or the licensed Customs Broker. 6. A licensed Customs Broker is required to clear shipments valued at and above US$5,000.00, and a C73 Form (Authorisation for a Person to act on behalf of another) must be completed. However, the Charity organisation reserves the right to contract a licensed Customs Broker for shipments under $5000.00. As it pertains to shipments of US$5,000.00 or more, a licensed Customs Broker, who, upon receiving a completed C73 form, must prepare an entry into ASYCUDA (Automated System for Customs Data), and upload all supporting documents necessary to facilitate processing. Additionally, Officers of charitable organisations, or persons authorised to clear shipments of US$5,000 or less, should proceed to the Port of Clearance with the documents pertaining to the shipment consigned to the name and address of the Charitable organisation to include: • A copy of the Certificate of Registration of Approved Charity • A letter of authorisation where applicable • The signed Special Declaration • Bill of lading or Airway Bill • Packing list • Invoice • Tax Compliance Certificate • Permits/licences where applicable • Any other document pertaining to the shipment Where clearance is being undertaken by an individual other than an officer of the organisation a letter of authorisation should be presented. The letter must be done on the organisation’s letter head and signed by a Director of that organisation. “Charities or persons authorised to effect clearance, are also being reminded that they should proceed directly to the port of clearance to undertake same, and not to “Customs House” as was previously the case. This is in keeping with the Agency’s thrust to improve its operational processes to the benefit of all customers,” said JCA. Donations for schools must be sent through the National Education Trust (NET). The goods must be consigned to the National Education Trust and the name of the recipient institution. Information on the items being donated must be submitted to NET by email at: info@net.org.jm. 14 Clearing procedures for charitable donations Boxes of charitable items are packed and ready for shipment from London to the Caribbean. CONTRIBUTED Beverly Johnson/ Contributor THE OPTION of ‘shipping door-todoor’ takes the hassle away from the consignee to attend to the clearance process at the destination ports. The destination agent will act as the customs broker to clear and arrange the delivery of your goods on the shippers and consignees’ behalf. FOR THE customs broker to perform this service professionally, shippers must present a detailed list of the items within their shipments and the receipts showing the value of the shipment. Prohibited and dangerous items such as batteries or battery-operated gadgets, electrical items, aerosols, knives, and motorised items must be declared. Shippers are advised to check the destination country’s customs authority website for their list of prohibited items. All other documentation to assure the customs authority that the customs broker is acting on your behalf must also be provided, such as valid national identification, tax registration number, permits where applicable and, in some countries, a letter from the importer (consignee) addressed to the customs authority, duly signed by the justice of the peace, confirming that you have engaged your destination agent’s services to clear your shipment. Charges associated with the arrival, the use of the port, customs duty and taxes, the customs broker’s fees and the cost for the delivery are in addition to the freight and origin charges. In short, all costs from the collection of your shipment at your home, place or Please see SHIPPING, 25 The benefits of shipping ‘door-to-door’ THE WEEKLY GLEANER | OCTOBER 16 - NOVEMBER 13, 2025 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | NEWS
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