Shipping to Jamaica from the US: Barrels, Boxes, Cars and More

What you can ship to Jamaica

Shippers to Jamaica handle much more than barrels. Common shipments include:

How shipping to Jamaica works

1. Choose a shipper and ask for their next sailing and cutoff date.
2. Get a quote for what you're sending. Barrels and boxes usually have set prices; larger items are quoted separately.
3. Pack your goods and make a packing list.
4. Drop off or book a pickup. You get a receipt. Keep it, along with the booking or tracking code.
5. The shipper loads a container with many customers' goods and sends it to Jamaica.
6. The container arrives, usually in Kingston, and goes through Jamaica Customs.
7. Your recipient collects the goods from the shipper's agent, or they are delivered if you paid for delivery.

How long does it take?

Plan on roughly 3 to 6 weeks from drop-off to collection in Jamaica. The time adds up from:

• Waiting for the container to fill and sail. Most shippers sail on a schedule, weekly to monthly.
• The ocean voyage. It is shorter from Florida than from the Northeast.
• Unloading and customs clearance in Jamaica. This takes from a few days to a couple of weeks, longer in busy periods. Vehicles and high-value items can take longer.
• Collection or delivery to your recipient.

How much does it cost?

Prices vary by shipper, city and what you send, so get two or three quotes. These things affect what you pay:

The cheapest quote isn't always the cheapest in the end. Check what your recipient will be asked to pay when the goods arrive.

What you can't send

• Firearms, ammunition, fireworks or explosives.
• Illegal drugs.
• Flammable liquids, gas cylinders, lighter fluid or paint thinners. Many shippers also refuse aerosols.
• Cash, jewellery or other valuables.
• Fresh, frozen or perishable food, meat, plants or seeds (agricultural items need permits).
• Counterfeit goods.

Your shipper's list may be stricter than this, and some items, such as certain medicines and vehicles, need permits or licences. When in doubt, ask your shipper or check with the Jamaica Customs Agency.

Packing tips

Barrels and boxes

• Use a sturdy barrel with a locking lid, or strong boxes taped on every seam.
• Put heavy items at the bottom and fill gaps with clothes or towels so nothing shifts.
• Double-bag liquids and anything that could leak.
• Don't overfill: ask your shipper if there is a weight limit.

Appliances, electronics and furniture

• Empty, clean and dry appliances, and tape doors shut.
• Wrap items in blankets or bubble wrap, and crate fragile pieces if your shipper recommends it.
• Take legs off tables and beds, and keep screws in a labelled bag.
• Photograph items and note serial numbers before drop-off.

Everything you send

• Write a packing list with each item, the quantity and its value, and keep a copy.
• Label everything with the recipient's full name, address and phone number, and yours.
• Keep receipts for new items. They help with customs.

Shipping a car or other vehicle

Vehicles need more planning than other goods:

• In the US: US Customs and Border Protection requires the vehicle's title and export documents to be presented at the port before export, generally at least 72 hours ahead. Your shipper will tell you what they need, usually the original title and the bill of sale.
• In Jamaica: importing a motor vehicle requires an import licence from the Trade Board Limited, and there are limits on how old a vehicle can be. Duties and taxes on vehicles can be high.
• How it ships: in a container (sometimes with other goods) or on a roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro) vessel. Ask your shipper which they use and what is included.

Jamaica Customs: duty and clearance

Goods are cleared by the Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA). Duty and General Consumption Tax (GCT) may apply depending on what you send and its value.

• Declare contents honestly. Undervalued or undeclared items can lead to penalties and delays.
• Your recipient will usually need photo ID and a TRN (Taxpayer Registration Number) to clear goods.
• Returning residents may qualify for concessions on personal and household effects.
• Some recipients use a customs broker, or the shipper's agent handles clearance for a fee.

Rules change, so check the Jamaica Customs Agency website (jacustoms.gov.jm) or ask your shipper what their customers need for clearance.

Collecting your goods in Jamaica

When the goods are ready, the shipper or their agent will contact your recipient. They will usually need:

• Photo ID and TRN.
• Your receipt, booking code or bill of lading number.
• Payment for any Jamaica-side charges or duty that weren't included.

Bring suitable transport for large items such as appliances and furniture, or pay for delivery. If you paid for delivery, the agent arranges a time to bring the goods to the address on the label. Many shippers deliver across the island through local agents.

Tracking your shipment

Ask your shipper for a booking or tracking code when you drop off. If your shipper uses ShipBackHome, you can track your shipment with that code. No account is needed.

How to choose a shipper

• How long have they shipped to Jamaica, and what do reviews and people you know say?
• Do they handle what you are sending, such as appliances, furniture or vehicles?
• Do they give a clear price, including what your recipient pays in Jamaica?
• Do they give a written receipt and a booking or tracking code?
• Do they publish a sailing schedule and keep customers updated?
• Do they have a reliable agent in Jamaica, and do they deliver to your recipient's parish?
• Is insurance available for valuable goods?