CEMENT REGIME REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

INTRODUCTION

This committee will have representatives from the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce (MIIC), Ministry of Industry and Tourism, Ministry of Finance and Planning, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Customs, Masterbuilders Association, Consumer Affairs Commission, Jamaica Manufacturers Association and Trade Board; other entities may be co-opted from time to time. 



REGISTRATION PROCESS

All entities using or trading in extra-regional cement will be required to register with Trade Board. In order to be certified, entities are required to complete the registration form and application for waiver. The form when submitted to Trade Board will be checked for accuracy after which a verification visit to the entities' warehouse or storage facility will be conducted.

Applications for registration, waiver and import licence must be duly signed by an authorized officer of the company and affixed with the company's seal.

The following documentation is required:

VERIFICATION PROCESS

(i)   Ensure that the importers have complied with all the statutory requirements including filing of Income Tax Returns, Employer Annual Returns, Declaration of Assets and Annual Returns required under the Companies Act.  Trade Board should ensure that the business operation carries a valid tax compliance certificate prior to granting the approval for registration;

(ii)   The Trade Board will review application for registration and waiver;

The Trade Board will conduct verification visits and prepare reports for submission to the Cement Review Committee.

(iii)   The Trade Board will charge an administrative fee of J$4 per tonne for the processing of each waiver application.

(iv)   The Review Committee will have specific responsibility for recommending waivers for extra-regional cement.  The Review Committee will have written terms of reference together with specific procedures that will be carried out by the Committee. The Secretariat for the Committee will be located at the Trade Board;

(v)   Trade Board to ensure that information pertaining to the new regime is communicated to importers so that the mechanism is clearly understood;

(vi)   Ensure that waivers are dealt with in a transparent manner and based on established criteria.

(vii)   Ensure that a written notice indicating granting of waiver by the Ministry of Finance and Planning is issued to each qualified importer.

(viii)   Once the waiver is granted, ensure that importers submit a procurement plan giving the estimated volume and value to be imported, suppliers names and the country of origin;

(ix)   Maintain records of the quantities imported with each license and waiver granted.  This information will be used in determining utilization of waiver;

(x)   In addition to the database maintained for the importers, Trade Board will maintain files for each registered entity. These files will carry reports on verification visits, documentation and minutes of meetings with the importers and all other reports and correspondence that may be required for future references.

(xi)   Ensure a time-frame for the delivery of service as follows:

• Verification Inspections
• Approval of licences/waiver applications

(xii)   If an entity has to dump cement due to spoilage or any other factor, the entity must first notify and obtain the approval of the Trade Board which would supervise the dumping.

The Anti-Dumping and Subsidies Commission has made final determinations to the effect that anti-dumping duties should be imposed on the imports of Ordinary Portland Grey Cement as indicated below:

Dumping Duties Information

1. Registration Form
2. Declaration
3. Application for Waiver