Motor Vehicle Imports
Motor Vehicle Import Permit Procedures
- Individuals may import a combination of 2 motor vehicles every three (3) years, excepting 2 motor cars, and must either be a:
- Jamaican Resident
- Child of Jamaican Parentage
- Spouse of a Jamaican
- Returning Resident
- Contract Officer or
- Holder of a Work Permit
- Businesses importing motor vehicles fall into two categories:
- Non-Dealer Companies allowed up to three (3) Motor Vehicles every three (3) years
- Certified Motor Vehicle Dealers allowed any category and quantity for resale.
- Motor Cycles: not exceeding five (5) years
- Motor Cars: not exceeding six (6) years
- Light Commercial Vehicles: ranging between 6 - 10 years, depending on the type of vehicle
- Motor Vehicles by Returning Residents: not exceeding ten (10) years
- Motor Vehicles for *Special Purpose: not exceeding ten (10) years
- Commercial Vehicles: ranging between 12 - 30 years, depending on the type of vehicle
- Heavy-Duty Commercial Equipment: not exceeding thirty (30) years
- Contact Autoterminal Japan Limited (ATJ) via http://inspections.jp/ (applicable only to used
- motor vehicles being imported from USA, UK, Japan, Singapore & United Arab Emirates).
- Application must be made electronically via www.jswift.gov.jm by entering the vehicle information, attaching the following documents and making payment:
- 1. Invoice from Supplier or The Bill of Sale
- 2. Registration Certificate, Certificate of Title or Japanese Export Certificate detailing Model, Year, VIN, Colour, Seating Capacity, Unladen Weight etc.
- 3. One type of Valid Identification & Proof of Citizenship. For example:
- Passport (bio-data page)
- Driver’s Licence (both sides)
- National Identification Card (both sides)
- 4. Taxpayer Registration Number (TRN)
- 5. Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI) Certificate – only for used vehicles
Step 2: Assess the Age of Vehicle Restriction
The age of vehicle at importation is as follows:
*Special Purpose Motor Vehicles include Ambulances, Hearses, Fire Trucks and Vehicles built to accommodate the Physically Challenged.
Step 3: Purchase Vehicle
Step 4: Apply for Pre-Shipment Inspection (including Sanitization)
Step 5: Apply for Permit
Processing Fees
Import Permit Fee J$6,325.00
Amendment Fee J$2,875.50
Permit Print Out Fee J$1,150.00
Step 7: Check Application Status
Periodically review the application for approval or query via https://www.jswift.gov.jm. Processing time: 3 working days.
Step 8: Proceed to the Jamaica Customs Agency when permit is ready.
Permit must be obtained before the vehicle arrives in Jamaica.
Age Limit for Vehicle at Importation |
|||
Category of Vehicles |
Types of Vehicles |
Approved Age Limit |
|
Motorcycles/ ATVs |
All types of motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles |
5 |
|
Cars |
Sedans: Seating capacity not exceeding 5 persons |
6 |
|
Station Wagons: Seating capacity not exceeding 8 persons |
6 |
||
SUVs: Seating capacity not exceeding 8 persons |
6 |
||
Light Commercial Vehicles |
Buses: Seating capacity not exceeding 8 persons |
6 |
|
Pick Up Trucks: Unladen weight not exceeding 1,500 Kg |
6 |
||
Pick Up Trucks, Other Small Trucks: Unladen weight 1,501 Kg – 3,000 Kg. |
10 |
||
Panel Vans |
10 |
||
Window Vans |
10 |
||
Buses: Seating capacity 9 – 14 persons |
10 |
||
Commercial Vehicles |
Buses: |
Seating capacity 15 – 20 persons |
12 |
Seating capacity 21 – 30 persons |
15 |
||
Seating capacity 31 – 45 persons |
20 |
||
Seating capacity exceeding 46 persons |
25 |
||
Trucks: |
Unladen weight 3,001Kg– 6,000Kg |
20 |
|
Unladen weight 6,001Kg– 8,000Kg |
25 |
||
Unladen weight exceeding 8,000Kg |
30 |
||
Heavy-Duty Equipment |
All types of heavy-duty equipment |
30 |
Key
Black font – unchanged age limit
Blue font – amended age limit