What is ECommerce?
Ecommerce, also known as electronic commerce or cross border commerce, refers to the buying and selling of goods and services using the internet. Cross border ecommerce falls under the remit of Customs Administration worldwide. The efficient management of these activities involves striking the right balance between trade facilitation and customs control measures, whilst encouraging compliance amongst traders.
Online purchasing is a form of ecommerce, it allows consumers to directly buy goods or services from a seller over the internet using a web browser such as Amazon, Walmart, ebay, among others. Goods are delivered to home or central point for pickup via your courier service.
Before purchasing:
- Verify with the relevant agencies If the items being imported require an License/ Permit/Certificate and other documents (LPCO)
- Failure to acquire the relevant permits before importation constitute a breach of the Customs Act (Section 210)
Upon arrival of the goods in Jamaica the Importer:
- Authorizes its agent (broker, freight forwarder, courier) to effect clearance
- If the FOB value of the goods imported is US$50 or less (De Minimis) then the Importer would not be required to pay any duties and taxes. This applies to both commercial and non-commercial shipments (Item 79 of the Second Schedule)
- If the value is greater than the De Minimis of US$50, you will be required to pay the relevant duty and taxes. Link to ECP
- It may be necessary for customs to issue a Notice of Detention (which will state precisely the reason for detention) if:
- The items require an import License/ Permit/Certificate and other documents (LPCO)
- Further information is required about the item being imported.
Upon receiving the Notice of Detention, importer/agent proceeds to the relevant clearance office to effect clearance, taking along any document which was stated on the Notice of Detention.
