The Government of Jamaica has introduced a number of procedures to assist Jamaican nationals who are returning home permanently. These include the granting of a duty-free benefit for household items and tools of trade. Exemptions are applied to both accompanied and unaccompanied baggage of a passenger approved as a Returning Resident. Exemption from the payment of duties and taxes on imported articles and goods is granted as a one-time benefit for all Returning Residents
Eligibility: In order to be considered a Returning Resident and to benefit from the duty concessions, the following criteria must be met:
- Jamaican national who has attained the age of 18 years and older.
- Resident overseas for the last three (3) consecutive years.
- Returning to Jamaica to reside permanently.
- Non-Jamaican whose spouse is a Jamaican Returning Resident.
- A Jamaican who wishes to return home but had renounced his or her Jamaican citizenship and can provide proof of his or her Jamaican nationality.
- An involuntary Migrant who has received a Deportation Order from the country where they reside.
- Jamaican student who has attained the age of eighteen (18) years and who has studied abroad more than one (1) year but less than three (3) consecutive years for the purpose of pursuing a course of study and returns to Jamaica permanently.
Please note:
- A couple will be treated as one family if they return together. Spouses who do not return together but do so within three (3) years of each other are treated as one family and are entitled to only one concession.
- Eligibility to receive concessions as a Returning Resident is determined by the Jamaica Customs Agency. This must be sought after arrival in Jamaica and before beginning the process of clearance of personal and household effects and tools of trade. The importation of items should be done within six (6) months after the arrival of the Returning Resident.