Overview
For four decades, the Jamaica Trade Board Limited (JTBL) has been a champion for trade facilitation, both exports and imports.
Initially, our functions were confined to the Trade Administrator’s Department. Thereafter, the mandate expanded and The JTBL was established as a full-fledged agency of the Government of Jamaica on December 13, 1982. Since then, we’ve enjoyed a history of changes and transformations.
What began as a small office containing a few staff in the Kingston Mall, evolved to a larger space at Winchester Avenue, followed by 107 Constant Spring Road and is today a more structured organization located on the 10th Floor, Air Jamaica Building, 72 Harbour Street, Kingston. With a staff complement of 45, the Jamaica Trade Board Limited provides strong support to businesses in Jamaica who are involved in trade nationally, regionally, and internationally. This is achieved through the provision of trade-related information and the issuance and regulation of trade licenses and certifications, consistent with the Government’s trade policies and agreements.
Over the past 40 years, we have established our reputation as a strong, stable, reliable and customer-centric organization that supports Jamaica's growth in trade, with an emphasis on exports. Our commitment to customers is backed by the wealth of knowledge and experience in applying various policies and procedures to services offered. We remain pumped up at 40 to support Jamaica’s growth in exports, investments, job creation and the economy.
Historical Background
During the 1950s, trade was highly regulated with the establishment of price control mechanism and quotas. Foreign exchange was scarce. Eventually, this role was relinquished and the Jamaica Trade Board Limited planted its roots in Jamaica out of the Trade Administrator’s Department, a relic from the past. The entity was charged with focusing on emergent trade issues concerning the exportation and importation of goods.
The Trade Act (Law 4) 1955 came into being on May 1, 1955. The establishment of the Trade Act predates the formation of the Jamaica Trade Board Limited. This act governed the rules for exportation and importation of various types of goods, produce, wares, merchandise, substances and animals. A key element of this act was the establishment of the Prices Commission which by virtue was related to other acts such as the Sugar Industry Control Act, the Agricultural Produce Act, the Agricultural Marketing Act, the Coconut Industry Control Act, the Coffee Industry Regulation Act, the Cocoa Industry Board Act and the Banana Board Act.
On December 13, 1982, The Jamaica Trade Board Limited, a limited liability company was established as a trade regulatory and facilitatory agency of the Government of Jamaica, initially focusing on import and export licenses. In 2002, the mandate of the Jamaica Trade Board Limited was expanded to include Jamaica’s Designated Authority to issue Certificates of Origin, after the function was transferred from JAMPRO. In 2003, the regimes for Refined Sugar, milk powder and cement were instituted at the Jamaica Trade Board Limited.
The Trade Act was amended on October 12, 2009.
TBL’s Timeline
| 1955 |
– |
The Trade Act (Law 4) was established on May 1, 1955. |
| 1982 |
– |
The Jamaica Trade Board Limited was established. |
| 1989 |
– |
The Motor Vehicle Import Policy (MVIP) was instituted. |
| 2002 |
– |
TBL became a Designated Authority to issue Certificates of Origin. |
| 2004 |
– |
The Trade Board Information System (TBIS) with the capacity to accept applications was established. We were one of the few entities in Jamaica with an online system for accepting applications. |
| 2005 |
– |
TBIS was upgraded to accept electronic payments for applications. |
| 2007 |
– |
The Scrap Metal Regime was instituted. |
| 2006 |
– |
TBIS was integrated into the Jamaica Customs Agency to facilitate the validity of licenses issued. |
| January 2009 |
– |
TTBL relocated from 107 Constant Spring Road to the Air Jamaica Building, 72 Harbour Street, Kingston. |
| October 2009 |
– |
The Trade Act was amended. |
| 2010 |
– |
The Motor Vehicle Import Unit (with responsibility for motor vehicle dealer certification) was transferred from the Industry Division at the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce to TBL. |
| 2014 |
– |
Trade Board Information System (TBIS) was integrated into the Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) and permits could be verified in real time. |
| April 3, 2014 |
– |
Jamaica’s Motor Vehicle Import Policy (MIVP) was revised. This is to adhere to the government’s safety standard; of keeping our motorists safe on our roadways through eliminating the importation of motor vehicles which may be faulty or severely damaged due to incidents in the originating country. |
| February 1, 2018 |
– |
TTBL instituted a system of Pre-Shipment Inspection where used motor vehicles being shipped from 5 countries (USA, UK, Japan, Singapore & the UAE) needed to be inspected and sanitized prior to shipping. |
| May 16, 2019 |
– |
TTBL launched the Jamaica Trade Information Portal which is an online platform that provides information on Jamaican export and import processes. The website contains various commodities, measures, standards, legal documents, procedures and forms. |
| April 1, 2020 |
– |
All non-motor vehicle import and export licensing fees were slashed by 50% |
| June 22, 2020 |
– |
TBL was the first entity to be on-boarded to the Jamaica Single Window for Trade (JSWIFT) Platform with Scrap Metal Permits. |
| July 17, 2020 |
– |
The Trade Board Information System (TBIS) was retired. |
| July 20, 2020 |
– |
TBL started Applications for motor vehicle import licenses and/ permits via JSWIFT. |
| August 23, 2021 |
– |
TBL began offering Electronic Certificates of Origin (eCoO). |
| January 2022 |
– |
The pilot phase for Electronic Certificates of Origin (eCoO) began with a dual-process mode where certificates were issued electronically and manually from January 1, 2022 – March 31, 2022. |
| May 16, 2022 |
– |
TBL started to re-issue only Electronic Certificates of Origin (eCoO). |
Past & Current Trade Administrators
| Mr. Edwin McKie |
(1982 – 1985) |
| Miss Tatlyn Grant |
(1985 – 1989) |
| Mrs. Charmaine Constantine |
(1989-1991) |
| Mr. Phillip Paulwell |
(1991 – 1993) |
| Mrs. Jean Morgan |
(1993 – 2005) |
| Mr. Claude Fletcher |
(2005 - 2008) |
| Mr. Melvin Smith |
(2008 – 2009) |
| *Mr. Douglas Webster |
(2009 – 2012) |
| Mr. Victor Cummings |
(2012 – 2016) |
| *Mr. Douglas Webster |
(2016 – 2021) |
| Dr. (Maj. Ret’d) Hugh Blake |
(September 1, 2021 – present) |
*Mr. Douglas Webster is the only Trade Administrator who has served twice.
Past & Current Chairman, Board of Directors
| Mrs. Eleanor Brown |
(until 2003) |
| Mr. Peter King |
(2003 – 2006) |
| Ms. Audrey Budhi |
(2006 – 2007) |
| Mr. Edwin McKie |
(2007 – 2009) |
| Mr. Phillip Henriques |
(2009 – 2012) |
| Mr. Benthan Hussey |
(2012 - 2016) |
| Mr. Steven Fong Yee |
(2016 – 2018) |
| Mr. Danville Walker |
(2018 – present) |
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