How much tax do I have to pay?

How much tax do I have to pay?

When shipping your barrels from the UK to Jamaica, there is a variety of different taxes needed to be paid before the shipment makes it to the final destination.

Every order is different. Every barrel is unique and comes with its own set of circumstances and pricing associated with it.  Therefore, we cannot give you a clear answer of the final amount as there are so many different variables that determine the final cost.

To save you confusion and headaches we’ve started delivering Door to Door from the UK to Jamaica, we’re clearing the items at the wharf and pre-paying all the fees and taxes on your behalf. Have a look here.

1. Import Duty/Customs Duty

This is the tax payable on imported goods. The rates of duty are published in the Jamaica Customs Tariff, which can be purchased from Jamaica Printing Services at 77 ½ Duke Street, Kingston, Telephone (876) 967-2250; www.jps1992@cwjamaica.com.

2. Stamp Duty

Postage Stamps amounting to the value of Jamaican Five Dollars ($5) must be affixed to receipts with a Cost Insurance and Freight (c.i.f.) value of Five Thousand Five Hundred Jamaican Dollars (J$5,500) and less. For receipts with values above this range, One Hundred Dollars ($100) worth of stamps must be affixed.

3. Additional Stamp Duty (ASD)

Additional stamp duty is payable on certain items e.g., chicken and most chicken parts, pork and some pork products, beef and some beef products; some aluminum products, alcoholic beverages, and cigarettes.

4. General Consumption Tax (GCT) and Special Consumption Tax (SCT)

The General Consumption Tax Act provides for two main types of taxes

These are the General Consumption Tax (GCT) and Special Consumption Tax (SCT).

Since October 22, 1991, the General Consumption Tax (GCT) and Special Consumption Tax (SCT) have replaced several duties and taxes, e.g., Excise Duty, CARICOM Duty, Consumption Duty, Entertainment Duty, Retail Sales Tax, Hotel Accommodation Tax and Telephone Service Tax.

GCT is paid on goods and services except for those items that are zero-rated and those that are exempted from GCT. Zero-rated items are items that attract 0% GCT. Exempted items are items that do not attract GCT.

SCT is payable on a few items. These are alcoholic beverages, most tobacco products, and some petroleum products.

Most items attract only GCT, while some attract both GCT and SCT.

5. Standard Compliance Fee (SCF)

This is a fee of 0.3% collected on behalf of the Bureau of Standards. SCF is calculated on the CIF value.

6. Customs Administrative Fee (CAF)

The Customs Administrative Fee is payable on the processing of documents, the examination of goods, and on specific imported commodities.

7. Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF)

Cost: This is the total cost of the goods abroad including ex-factory price, commission, mark-up, and inland freight but excluding sales tax and interest. The cost of the goods is sometimes expressed as FOB (Free on Board) or FOA (Free on Air)

Insurance: This is the insurance charge which is payable to transport the goods to Jamaica in order to ensure that some compensation will be available to you in the event of the loss or damage of the goods.

If you have not paid any insurance charges when freighting your goods to Jamaica, an insurance charge is still applicable for valuation purposes. For goods arriving by sea, the insurance charge is 1.5% of the total Cost and Freight(c. & f.), that is, if the goods cost US$100 and the freight charge is US$50, then C&F would be US$100 + US$50 = US$150. 1.5% of US$150, i.e. 150 x 3/200 = US$2.25.

Total c.i.f. therefore is $100 + $50 + $2.25 = US$152.25.

For shipments arriving by air, the insurance applicable is 1% of the Total Cost and Freight. The insurance rate of 1.5% is applicable to marine cargo.

Freight: This is the amount of money paid or payable to the shipping agent or the airlines for the goods to be shipped or transported to Jamaica, including inland freight, packaging and handling charges.

8. Environmental Levy

0.5% of the CIF value of all imports

Note: If you’re shipping cargo and it’s at Berth 5 or 6 Warehouses, you will need to pay the KWL charges at the Kingsport Building.
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In a brief;  The fees involved may include Landing Fees, which are paid to the clearing local Agent. Expect to pay about JA $3,700.00.
Handling and Storage Fees, paid to Kingston Wharf, maybe about JA $4,630.00.
Import Fees, such as customs duties, paid to Kingston Wharf might run around JA $6,500.00 .
Barrels containing “Personal Effects” or “Non-commercial” items attract a flat rate charge of JMD $6,500.00 (rate is subject to change). This roughly currently equates to about 38 Pound sterling.
Too much hassle? Try our “Door to Door” shipping service from the UK to Jamaica, and get your barrels delivered to your recipient’s door without paying extra for taxes. We cover ALL taxes for you. 

Contact us for more useful information related to taxes and customs to clear in Jamaica using one of our social links below.