Non-commercial cargo first category of goods to transition to new inspection process

Durrant Pate/Contributor

The Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) is now carrying out a pilot of its contactless clearance regime, which is being rolled out to modernise its physical inspection process to make it easier for importers to clear cargo and for customs officers to conduct inspections in a controlled, sterile and secure environment.

Under this soon to be implemented regime, importers and agents will be able to clear cargo without physically visiting the ports and public bonded warehouses for customs inspection. Non-commercial cargo, which are cleared on IMS4 declarations will be the first category of goods to transition to this new inspection process.

Following the implementation for non-commercial cargo, the JCA will pursue the implementation of contactless clearance for commercial cargo in phase two of the project.  At the end of this pilot, the JCA will be doing an evaluation of the findings to see the areas of success and those which need to be improved.  

Notwithstanding, the start of the fiscal year April 1, 2023, is being targeted for the full implementation of the new inspection process.  

Advantages of the new inspection regime

There are many advantages to this new customs inspection regime such as increasing the security and integrity of the clearance process, improving the overall customer experience, reduction in congestion in the waiting, clearance and delivery areas and reduction in the number of physical contact points. In addition, the new regime will usher in a lowering in overall cargo processing and wait times, improving the efficiency of cargo flow through the warehouse and allowing the flexibility in cargo inspection time. 

The new regime will also create opportunities for value added service. The JCA says the contactless clearance process will not change how an importer’s duty-free allowance is applied.

As such importers, who travel are reminded on arrival to Jamaica to inform Customs that they have shipped goods. It is also necessary for importers to inform their freight forwarding agent that they have a duty-free allowance. Failure to do so will result in longer clearance times. 

Security of cargo during inspection

To reassure importers of security of cargo during inspection, the JCA has outlined strict security requirements for warehouse operators. These include: 

·      Security vetting and background checks for warehouse employee handling cargo; 

·      Separation of cargo inspection and storage areas;

·      Security controls including logging of personnel entering and leaving the inspection area;

·      Prohibiting the carrying of bags or any other means of conveyance into the inspection area;

·      Video surveillance systems capable of capturing the items and labels during inspection.

If cargo is damaged or items are missing, JCA advises that the claims process which agents and warehouse operators have in place remains unchanged. Importers should contact their freight forwarder to inform them about damages or missing items.

The freight forwarder will provide guidance on their claims process and will contact Customs where applicable The JCA is also advising that the submission of a packing list is highly recommended, as it provides the freight forwarding agent with adequate details to complete an accurate customs declaration.

The JCA will make a packing list template available via its website. This template will allow the shipper to select from a list of the most commonly used commodity descriptions and the tariff code will be auto filled providing additional assistance for agents to submit correct declarations. 

When the cargo is offloaded from the container into the warehouse it can be inspected if the simplified declaration has been submitted and duties paid.  When Customs completes the inspection and releases the cargo, the declarant/agent receives notification via the Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA).

The agent can notify the importer that their cargo has been released.