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Shipping boxes to and from Jamaica

Jamaica is easy on small boxes: if the goods are worth US$100 FOB or less, nothing is due. Above that, duty, 15% GCT, and small fees apply to the whole value, shipping included. The receiver needs a TRN, and meat and dairy need permits. Jamaicans coming home after at least 3 years abroad can bring household effects in duty free, once.

Typical transit
2-5 business days from North America; 4-7 from Europe; 5-8 from Asia
Currency
JMD
Duty-free up to
If the goods in a shipment are worth US$100 FOB (about J$15,950) or less, no duty or tax is due
Receiver ID
TRN (Taxpayer Registration Number)

Price a shipment to Jamaica

Box size

Choose where it's from and where it's going.

What it costs to ship boxes from the US to Jamaica

  • 1 medium box (16 × 16 × 16 in, 20 lb)$135.84delivered in 2 to 5 business days
  • 5 medium boxes (30 lb each)$679.19 totalabout $135.84 a box

Includes pickup at your door, express delivery, fuel and prepared customs paperwork. Import duties and taxes, if any, are set by Jamaica and paid by the receiver. Prices updated November 2, 2026.

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Popular routes to Jamaica

Sending to Jamaica

Duties and taxes12367131418

Duty-free threshold
If the goods in a shipment are worth US$100 FOB (about J$15,950) or less, no duty or tax is due. FOB means the goods alone, without shipping or insurance. The rule covers commercial and non-commercial shipments. Above US$100, duty and taxes are charged on the whole CIF value (goods, insurance, and freight), not just the part over the limit.
Import tax
GCT (General Consumption Tax) at 15%, charged on the CIF value plus import duty and any additional stamp duty or special consumption tax. Import duty depends on each item's tariff heading. Customs also collects a 0.5% environmental levy and a 0.3% Standard Compliance Fee on the CIF value, J$100 stamp duty when the CIF value is over J$5,500 (about US$34), and a customs administrative fee. Alcohol, tobacco, and some meats carry extra stamp duty or special consumption tax.
How value is worked out
The US$100 duty-free test uses the FOB value: the goods alone, without shipping or insurance. Above US$100 FOB, duty and taxes are charged on the full CIF value: goods plus insurance and freight. Customs converts foreign-currency values to Jamaican dollars at the Bank of Jamaica's most recent spot-market weighted average selling rate when duty is payable: about J$159.46 per US dollar on September 25, 2026. Customs checks declared values and, where there is no objective evidence, uses its best judgment. Declare an honest second-hand value for used items and keep any receipts.
Who pays
Shipments are sent DAP. The receiver pays any duties and taxes before or on delivery. The courier may add a clearance or disbursement fee.
Moving there?
Jamaicans aged 18 or over returning to live permanently after at least 3 consecutive years abroad can import household effects, new or used, from an official list, plus tools of their trade, free of duty and taxes. It is a one-time benefit, and the goods must arrive within 6 months before or after you, or a longer period Customs approves. Returning students (at least 1 year but under 3 of study abroad) get a shorter list. Barrels of personal effects cleared at the port pay a flat J$6,500 (about US$41), a rate that can change.

Worked example

Illustrative: a box of used clothes and a small kitchen appliance worth US$250 FOB, with US$50 of shipping and insurance, so the CIF value is US$300 (about J$47,840). Assumes 20% import duty; the real rate depends on each item's tariff heading.

Duty: 20% x US$300 = US$60. Environmental levy: 0.5% x US$300 = US$1.50. Standard Compliance Fee: 0.3% x US$300 = US$0.90. GCT: 15% x (US$300 + US$60) = US$54. Stamp duty: J$100 (about US$0.63). Total about US$117.03.

About US$117 (about J$18,660), plus the customs administrative fee and any courier fee. The same box worth US$100 FOB or less would owe nothing.

How customs clearance works in Jamaica167101115

Express couriers present each shipment to Customs and handle clearance for the receiver. If the goods are worth US$100 FOB or less, nothing is due. Above that, an import declaration is filed, Customs assesses duty and taxes on the full CIF value, and the courier pays them and bills the receiver before delivery.

Formal entry
Imports with a CIF value of US$5,000 (about J$797,000) or more must be cleared by a licensed customs broker.
How long it takes
Often 1-3 business days after arrival when the TRN, ID, and values are in order. Longer if an item needs a permit, a veterinary inspection, or a physical exam.
Inspections
Customs can examine any shipment. Food of animal origin is subject to veterinary inspection even when no permit is needed, and items that need a permit are held until it is shown. Meat, dairy, and pet food without a permit are destroyed. Barrels are opened at the port, and you must unpack and repack them yourself.
If duties go unpaid
If no one pays, the courier holds the shipment for a limited time and may return it. Goods in the customs (Queen's) warehouse that aren't cleared within 3 months, or a longer period the Commissioner allows, can be sold at public auction after one month's notice in the Gazette. Owners can still clear them up to the day before the sale.

Moving to Jamaica: claiming duty relief567

  1. 01

    Check you qualify

    You must be a Jamaican national aged 18 or over who has lived abroad for at least 3 consecutive years and is returning to live permanently. Students who studied abroad for at least 1 year but under 3 qualify for a shorter list.

  2. 02

    Apply online

    Apply to the Jamaica Customs Returning Residents Unit and upload your documents. You may be interviewed, but most applicants no longer need to visit the Unit.

  3. 03

    Gather your documents

    A valid passport (Jamaican, or foreign with an unconditional stamp from the immigration agency). Proof of 3 years abroad, such as a notarized letter, a consulate letter, an employer's letter, or pay stubs from the last three years. Proof you're settling in Jamaica, such as a notarized or JP-witnessed declaration, a lease, or a JPS, NWC, or FLOW utility bill.

  4. 04

    List your goods

    Once approved, you get an exemption notice. Fill in the official list of household effects and tools of trade with quantities and estimated values, and sign it. Customs uses it for your import declaration.

  5. 05

    Ship on time

    Goods must arrive within 6 months before or after you, unless the Commissioner approves a longer period. They can't be for sale, and the benefit is granted once. A spouse arriving within 3 years of you shares the same concession.

Documents to have ready45671516

  • Receiver's TRN (Taxpayer Registration Number)
  • Receiver's valid government photo ID, such as a passport or driver's license
  • Itemized packing list with a fair value for each item, marked as used personal effects or gift
  • Airway bill or other shipping document, plus an invoice where there is one
  • Import permits for restricted items, such as a veterinary permit for meat and dairy or a Ministry of Health and Wellness permit for medicines
  • Clearing a barrel for someone else: an authorization letter signed and stamped by a Justice of the Peace, plus their TRN card and ID
  • Returning residents: the exemption approval, passport, proof of 3 years abroad and of settling in Jamaica, and the signed list of household effects with values

TRN (Taxpayer Registration Number): Customs asks for the receiver's TRN and valid photo ID to clear personal goods, including unaccompanied baggage and barrels, so expect the courier to ask for it too. A TRN is free from Tax Administration Jamaica: apply at any of its 29 collectorates (tax offices) with photo ID and supporting documents such as a certified birth or marriage certificate. Get it before the box ships. We ask for it during booking.

Onvoyo prepares the commercial invoice from your contents list. You print three copies, sign them, and send them with your boxes.

Official forms47121516

What you can pack, category by category12891516

What you can pack, by category
CategoryStatusWhat to know
Clothing and shoesMore on clothesConditionsUsed clothing is fine and counts toward the US$100 FOB limit. Camouflage clothing and denim that looks like police uniform need Ministry of National Security approval.
Books and papersMore on booksAllowedBooks and printed papers are fine. Obscene material is banned, as are occult publications from de Laurence, Scott & Co. and Red Star Publishing.
ElectronicsMore on electronicsAllowedPersonal electronics are fine with batteries installed. Their value counts toward the US$100 FOB limit, so keep receipts for newer items. Card swipe readers need a Ministry of National Security permit.
MedicationMore on medicineConditionsNeeds a Ministry of Health and Wellness import permit (Blue Form) before shipping, and the product must be approved in Jamaica. Controlled drugs need the Yellow Form.
FoodMore on foodConditionsSealed, labeled baked goods, sweets, cereals, condiments without meat, canned fish, and infant formula need no permit but are inspected. Meat (including canned corned beef), milk, cheese, and pet food need a veterinary permit. Honey is banned.
Cosmetics and toiletriesMore on cosmeticsConditionsRegulated by the Ministry of Health and Wellness, which issues import permits for cosmetics (Pink Form). Ask before shipping. No aerosols or nail polish.
Alcohol and tobaccoMore on alcohol or tobaccoNot allowedCouriers generally refuse alcohol and tobacco in personal boxes. Where allowed, they also carry extra stamp duty or special consumption tax.
Sports and outdoor gearMore on sports and outdoor gearConditionsClean gear is fine. Bows and arrows, swords, pepper spray, and tactical flashlights need a Ministry of National Security permit. No fuel canisters.
Children's items and toysMore on toys and baby gearConditionsUsed toys are fine, but toy guns need a Ministry of National Security permit. Remove loose batteries.
Documents and photosMore on documents and photosAllowedPersonal papers and family photos are fine.
OtherConditionsPlants, produce, animal products, live animals, human ashes, feathers, shells, and taxidermy need permits or checks first. Declare them clearly.

Quantity limits1567151618

Quantity limits for Jamaica
ItemLimit
ShipmentsGoods worth US$100 FOB (about J$15,950) or less: no duty or tax, for commercial and non-commercial shipments alike.
Passenger allowance (travelers only)Personal and household goods up to US$1,000 (about J$159,500) per traveler aged 18 or over, including unaccompanied baggage cleared with the stamped passport or immigration kiosk slip. Charges apply only to the excess. Minors get no value allowance but may bring their personal items.
Barrels of personal effectsFlat rate of J$6,500 (about US$41) for barrels of personal effects or non-commercial goods. The rate can change.
Animal products (personal use)Up to 45 kg per person. Meat, milk, cheese, and pet food need a veterinary import permit; baked goods, sweets, canned fish, and infant formula don't.
Salted or cooked fishUp to 10 kg (20 lb) per person without a veterinary permit. More than that needs a permit.
MedicinesNeed a Ministry of Health and Wellness import permit before import, and the product must be approved for use in Jamaica.
Returning residentsOne-time duty-free import of household effects from the official list, arriving within 6 months before or after you.

What you can't send to Jamaica8910151618

Not allowed

  • Aerosols, spray cans, and compressed gas cylinders
  • Flammable liquids and solids: fuel, lighter fluid, paint, nail polish, matches
  • Loose or spare lithium batteries and power banks not installed in a device
  • Cash, gift cards, checks, and other negotiable items
  • Firearms, ammunition, replicas, and weapon parts
  • Perishable food, and meat, dairy, or fresh produce
  • Cannabis, CBD, and THC products, even where they are legal at origin
  • Honey and honey products
  • Live or processed conch and lobster
  • Pork and pork products from the United States, unless in sealed cans
  • Beef and beef products from Canada
  • Indecent or obscene prints, paintings, photos, films, books, and similar material
  • Counterfeit coins of any country
  • Publications on divination, magic, or the occult from de Laurence, Scott & Co. or Red Star Publishing, both of Chicago

Allowed with conditions

Meat, poultry, and seafood, including home-cooked and canned meat such as corned beef
Need a veterinary import permit from the Ministry of Agriculture. Personal imports are limited to 45 kg, in the original packaging with an official seal or stamp and proof of origin. Without a permit they are confiscated and destroyed.
Milk, cheese, and pet food
Need a veterinary import permit. Up to 45 kg for personal use, sealed in the original packaging. Milk and cheese products must not contain meat.
Fish
Wild-caught fish and shellfish need a veterinary permit. Salted or cooked fish up to 10 kg (20 lb) per person needs no permit. Canned fish needs no permit but is still inspected.
Fresh fruit, vegetables, ground provisions, plants, and plant products
Need an import permit from the Ministry of Agriculture's Plant Quarantine branch before they ship.
Medicines, herbal products, and vitamins
Need a Ministry of Health and Wellness import permit before import (Blue Form), and the product must be approved for use in Jamaica. Narcotic and psychotropic drugs need the Yellow Form.
Cosmetics, chemicals, and medical devices
Regulated by the Ministry of Health and Wellness, which issues import permits for them (Pink Form). Ask before shipping.
Camouflage clothing and materials, and denim that looks like police uniform
Reserved for the security forces and restricted. Needs Ministry of National Security approval, or it can be confiscated.
Toy guns, pepper spray, stun guns, handcuffs, swords, bows and arrows, night-vision goggles, tactical flashlights, bulletproof vests, and card swipe readers
Each needs a permit from the Ministry of National Security.
Human remains, including cremated ashes
Need a permit from the Ministry of Health and Wellness.
Feathers, taxidermy, sea shells, and sand
May be fumigated at a cost of J$1,500 (about US$9). Protected or endangered species also need CITES permits; contact the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA).
Shipments worth US$5,000 CIF or more
Must be cleared by a licensed customs broker.

Sending from Jamaica

Shipping boxes out of Jamaica1217

Sending your own things out of Jamaica by express courier is straightforward. The courier or a licensed customs broker prepares the export declaration (EX1) and pays the Customs processing fee. Heritage objects can't leave, and anyone exporting personal items regularly must register with JAMPRO.

Documents

  • Itemized packing list with values, plus any invoices you have
  • Export declaration (EX1), prepared by the courier or a customs broker
  • Any export permit or license the items need
  • Sender's photo ID; the courier may ask for your TRN

Can't leave the country

  • National monuments and anything designated protected national heritage by the Jamaica National Heritage Trust cannot be taken out of Jamaica. Doing so is an offense under the JNHT Act.
  • Items that need an export permit or license must have it before the declaration is submitted
  • Anyone exporting personal items on a regular basis must register with JAMPRO
  • Couriers will not carry cash or negotiable instruments

Before pickup

  • Buying crafts or art to send home? Keep receipts that show they are modern pieces.
  • Don't pack anything that looks like an old artifact unless you can show it isn't protected heritage.
  • Describe contents clearly on the packing list. Vague lists slow checks.
  • Check the destination's customs rules. The receiving country decides duties and what it allows in.

Addresses, delivery and timing

Writing the address

Jamaica doesn't use postal codes in everyday addresses. Write the house number and street, the district or community, then the town and parish. In Kingston and St. Andrew, add the numbered postal district, such as Kingston 10. Include a phone number, and add a landmark in rural areas.

Maria Example12 Palm Grove AvenueBarbicanKingston 6St. AndrewJamaicaTel: +1 876 555 0142

Example only; not a real address.

Delivery coverage

Fastest to: Kingston, Montego Bay, Spanish Town, Portmore, May Pen, Mandeville, Ocho Rios.

Remote areas: Rural parishes and hill districts, such as parts of St. Thomas, Portland, St. Elizabeth, and Trelawny, can take 1-3 extra days.

Kingston and Montego Bay get the fastest service. Give a phone number the driver can reach, since drivers often call ahead where street addresses are unclear.

When things slow down

December is the busiest month for boxes and barrels to Jamaica, so allow extra time. Service also slows around Easter, Emancipation Day (August 1), Independence Day (August 6), and Christmas. Hurricane season runs from June to November and can disrupt flights and delivery.

Advice for your situation

Students

Jamaicans coming home after at least 1 year but under 3 of study abroad can bring used household effects, a television, a video recorder, a component set, musical instruments, and a computer and printer duty free, within 6 months before or after arrival. Bring a transcript, certificate, or letter confirming your course dates. Foreign students get no special allowance, so keep boxes at US$100 FOB or less where honest, or budget for duty and GCT.

Returning home

After at least 3 consecutive years abroad, Jamaicans 18 or over can bring household effects and tools of trade in duty free, once. Apply online before you ship, and have your goods arrive within 6 months before or after you. Your spouse shares the same concession rather than getting a second one.

Expats and relocations

Foreigners on work assignment are not returning residents. They get the general passenger allowance: personal and household goods up to US$1,000 per adult, which can cover unaccompanied baggage cleared with your stamped passport or immigration kiosk slip. A foreign spouse of a returning resident may share that concession; check with the Returning Residents Unit. Otherwise, household goods pay duty and GCT.

Tips for a smooth delivery

  • Get the receiver's TRN before you book. Customs needs it, with photo ID, to clear personal goods.
  • Value each box honestly. At US$100 FOB or less, nothing is due. Above that, charges apply to the full value including shipping.
  • Leave out meat, cheese, milk, and pet food unless the receiver has a veterinary permit. Honey is banned outright.
  • Leave out camouflage clothing and toy guns. Both need Ministry of National Security approval.
  • Moving home? Apply online to the Returning Residents Unit before you ship, and time your boxes to arrive within 6 months of you.
  • Sending medicine? Get a Ministry of Health and Wellness import permit first.

Shipping to and from Jamaica: questions

Is there a duty-free limit for packages to Jamaica?

Yes. If the goods in a shipment are worth US$100 FOB (about J$15,950) or less, no duty or tax is due. FOB is the goods alone, without shipping. Above US$100, charges apply to the whole CIF value, not just the amount over the limit.

How much will the receiver pay above US$100?

Import duty at the rate for each item, plus 15% GCT on the CIF value and duty. Customs also adds a 0.5% environmental levy and a 0.3% Standard Compliance Fee on the CIF value, J$100 stamp duty, and a customs administrative fee. The courier may add its own clearance fee.

Do I need a TRN to receive a package in Jamaica?

Yes. Customs asks for the receiver's Taxpayer Registration Number and valid photo ID to clear personal goods. A TRN is free from Tax Administration Jamaica, so get one before the box ships.

Are barrels treated differently from boxes?

Yes. Barrels of personal effects or non-commercial goods cleared at the port pay a flat J$6,500 (about US$41), a rate that can change. You clear them in person with ID, your TRN, and the shipping documents, and unpack them for inspection. Boxes sent by express courier are normally assessed under the US$100 FOB rule.

What can returning residents bring to Jamaica duty free?

Jamaicans 18 or over coming home to live after at least 3 consecutive years abroad can bring household effects from an official list, new or used, plus tools of their trade, once. Apply online to the Returning Residents Unit, and have the goods arrive within 6 months before or after you.

Can I send food or medicine to Jamaica?

Sealed, labeled snacks, baked goods, sweets, condiments without meat, canned fish, and infant formula are fine. Meat (including canned corned beef), milk, cheese, and pet food need a veterinary permit, and honey is banned. Medicines need a Ministry of Health and Wellness import permit before you ship.

How do I ship boxes from Jamaica to another country?

Book an express courier and give it an itemized packing list with values. The courier or a licensed customs broker prepares the export declaration (EX1). If you export personal items regularly, you must register with JAMPRO. The receiver pays any import charges at the other end.

What can't I send out of Jamaica?

National monuments and anything the Jamaica National Heritage Trust has designated protected national heritage can't leave Jamaica. Items that need an export permit must have it first. Couriers also refuse cash, aerosols, flammables, loose batteries, and weapons.

Official help in Jamaica

Official sources

Every section above is checked against these official pages. Rules change, and customs in Jamaica makes the final decision on every shipment. This guide is general information, not legal advice.

  1. 1.

    Jamaica Customs Agency

    De Minimis (opens in a new tab)

    Customs · checked September 26, 2026

  2. 2.

    Jamaica Customs Agency

    Duties & Taxes (opens in a new tab)

    Customs · checked September 26, 2026

  3. 3.

    Tax Administration Jamaica

    General Consumption Tax (opens in a new tab)

    Tax authority · checked September 26, 2026

  4. 4.

    Tax Administration Jamaica

    Taxpayer Registration Number(TRN) FAQ (opens in a new tab)

    Tax authority · checked September 26, 2026

  5. 5.

    Jamaica Customs Agency

    Personal Items (opens in a new tab)

    Customs · checked September 26, 2026

  6. 6.

    Jamaica Customs Agency

    Barrel clearance (opens in a new tab)

    Customs · checked September 26, 2026

  7. 7.

    Jamaica Customs Agency

    Returning Residents Policy Governing Approvals and Exemptions Pursuant to Requirements Outlined in Second Schedule of the Customs Act (opens in a new tab)

    Customs · checked September 26, 2026

  8. 8.

    Jamaica Customs Agency

    Prohibited & Restricted Items (opens in a new tab)

    Customs · checked September 26, 2026

  9. 9.

    Jamaica Customs Agency

    Prohibited Items (opens in a new tab)

    Customs · checked September 26, 2026

  10. 10.

    Jamaica Customs Agency

    When do I need the services of a Customs Broker? (opens in a new tab)

    Customs · checked September 26, 2026

  11. 11.

    Jamaica Customs Agency

    Queens procedures (opens in a new tab)

    Customs · checked September 26, 2026

  12. 12.

    Jamaica Customs Agency

    Personal Exports (opens in a new tab)

    Customs · checked September 26, 2026

  13. 13.

    Jamaica Customs Agency

    Value For Duty (opens in a new tab)

    Customs · checked September 26, 2026

  14. 14.

    Jamaica Customs Agency (Legislation & Acts)

    Customs (Amendment) Act, 2014 (opens in a new tab)

    Legislation · checked September 26, 2026

  15. 15.

    Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining

    Non-Commercial/Personal Imports of Animal, Animal Products and Animal Related Products through the Airport, Seaport and Courier Services (opens in a new tab)

    Biosecurity · checked September 26, 2026

  16. 16.

    Ministry of Health & Wellness

    Standards and Regulation Division (opens in a new tab)

    Health regulator · checked September 26, 2026

  17. 17.

    Ministry of Justice (Laws of Jamaica)

    The Jamaica National Heritage Trust Act (opens in a new tab)

    Legislation · checked September 26, 2026

  18. 18.

    Bank of Jamaica

    Bank of Jamaica Website (opens in a new tab)

    Government · checked September 26, 2026

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