Jamaica Customs Agency

NAME OF FEATURE | THE GLEANER | FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2021 22 CUSTOMS W EK J AMAICA ANDmany other countries have been negatively affected by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The impact of this virus has had unprecedented and far-reaching effects globally. It is therefore crucial that the public and private sectors, and Jamaicans on a whole, work together inmitigating its impact.With the onset of COVID-19, many organisations, including the JCA, has had to find new and innovative ways to conduct their business operations effectively and safely, inorder to ensure business continuity. The JCA undertook several operational andprocedural changes in this respect. Here are some news highlights: CUSTOMS NEWS IN REVIEW (2020) Express Clearance Process now mandatory ON MAY 11, 2020, the Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) issued an advisory to all importers that it will be manda- tory to use the Express Clearance Process (ECP) for the processing and clearance of all personal shipments below US$5,000 (to include cost, insurance & freight (CIF), in keeping with the agency’s thrust to further increase effi- ciency and improve its service delivery to its customers. This means that customs officers are no longer preparing Simplified Declarations (IMS4) for walk-in customers clear- ing shipments not exceeding US$5,000. Importers should authorise their clearing agents (consolidators, freight forwarders, and customs brokers, warehouse operators) to prepare, submit and pay for a Simplified Declaration (IMS4). The clearing agent can then complete the entire customs clearance formalities, including the delivery of the cargo/goods to the consignee, upon request. JSWIFT brings changes to processes SCRAP METAL exporters required to use JSWIFT portal All scrap metal exporters requiring permits from Trade Board Limitedwere required to register through the Jamaica Single Window for Trade (JSWIFT) portal at www.jswift. gov.jm . This became effective on Monday, June 22, 2020. Operations of 20 entities to be digitised under JSWIFT project THE OPERATIONS of approximately 20 state entities that facilitate imports and exports were earmarked for digitisa- tion under the Jamaica SingleWindow for Trade (JSWIFT) initiative, which is being implemented by the Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA). JSWIFT is a single electronic plat- form providing fully automated access to all cross-border regulatory agencies, enabling traders and their representa- tives to transact all businesses online. Trade Board Limited was first in line, to be followed by the Plant Quarantine Division (Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries) in 2021. Importers must apply for permits through electronic trade facility EFFECTIVE JULY 20, 2020, importers applying for permits from the Trade Board Limited were required to undertake this process through the Jamaica SingleWindow for Trade (JSWIFT) facility, in keeping with the thrust to improve trade efficiency. The Trade Board ceased accepting new applications as part of the phased digitisation of state border regulatory agencies facilitating import- and export-related engage- ments under the JSWIFT initiative. This is geared towards streamlining and enhancing the services provided. Jamaica Customs introduces online procedures for returning residents DURING THE first quarter of the 2020-2021 fiscal year, the Jamaica Customs Agency automated the applica- tion process for the granting of returning resident and returning student status, and the accessing of related benefits. This was in keeping with the agency’s thrust to increase operational efficiency and enhance its relation- ships with its stakeholders. The agency also revised some of the documentary requirements to improve efficiency in the verification process and enhance the customer experience. Jamaica Customs introduces online applications for refunds THE JAMAICA Customs Agency advised importers that as of Monday, August 24, 2020, all applications for refunds must be submitted online at: www.jacustoms.gov.jm . Previously, applicants were required to manually submit a letter to the Collector of Customs, detailing the circum- stances for requesting the refund. Importers are also being reminded that all appli- cations must be made within two years after such overpayment is made, as stipulated in Section 50 of the Customs Act. Steps for making an application for refunds online: 1. Applicant accesses JCA website at www.jacustoms. gov.jm ; 2. Applicants reads and agree to terms and conditions; 3. Applicant selects ‘apply’ once there is agreement with the terms and conditions; 4. Applicant completes application form, select ‘preview’, and click ‘submit’; 5. Application is reviewed and processed once there are no outstanding matters relating to the application; 6. Application is submitted for payment to the account number provided; 7. Applicant is sent an email notification of payment to their account, at the email address provided on the refund application form. Track and Trace Service THE JAMAICA Customs Agency introduced its Track and Trace service to facilitate transparency for traders and their representatives in handling Customs declarations. The feature allows the trader or their representative (customs broker) to enter details specific to the declarations and be provided with status updates. Track and Trace is a portal where the trader or his rep- resentative will enter a minimum amount of information pertaining to a declaration. For example, the office code, the year, their internal reference code, and the taxpayer registration number for the broker or the importer. After this submission, the system will respond with all of the points of intervention for which the shipment would be flagged. Other regulatory authorities also carry out their inspec- tion functions within the Customs system; therefore, if there is a need for another regulatory authority to inter- vene, that will also be shown or displayed to the trader, the importer or the declarant.