PRE-SHIPMENT PROCEDURES

After registering with JAMPRO, the exporter may contact the Bureau of Standards to get information on labelling and packaging and may also start the process of contacting a shipping agent or airline. However, for there is some additional documentation that must be attained.

Fresh Produce (inc. Horticultural Products)

Before each shipment contact the Plant Quarantine/Produce Inspection Unit of the Ministry of Agriculture and make an appointment for the inspection and certification of the shipment. A Phyto-Sanitary Certificate should be received upon inspection of your shipment and before going to Jamaica Customs for validation.

Prescribed Processed Foods

Register with the Bureau of Standards Foods Inspectorate Department for inspection and approval of the processing plant. Consequent to this you need to apply for and obtain and export certificate for each export shipment.

N.B. Exporters of Prescribed Processed Foods as well as some categories of Fresh Produce, going into the United States are now required to register with the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) under the US Bio-Terrorism Act before making any shipment. For more information visit www.fda.org

Meats and Seafood

Apply to the Veterinary Services Division of the Ministry of Agriculture in order to obtain an export permit for the product. If you are exporting a seasonal product such as lobster or conch, you will also need to contact the Fisheries Division of the Ministry of Agriculture in order to obtain a catch quota. In addition, for exporters of conch an export quota and export permit must be obtained from the national environment and Planning Agency (NEPA).

Aggregate and Ores

An application must be submitted to the Ministry of Land and Environment for an export permit before and exporter can be allowed to ship any aggregate or ore.

EXPORT CERTIFICATION

Exporters of almost any product may stand to gain from the many preferential trade agreements that have been negotiated between the Government of Jamaica and other governments. In order to take advantage of any of these agreements between Jamaica and the USA, Canada or CARICOM, visit the Trade Board Ltd. to conduct a Product Analysis. Once the analysis is complete and the product has satisfied the rules of origin, a Certificate of Origin may be issued. For export to any European Union member country, contact Jamaica Customs.