WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/LIC/N/3/JAM/1
10 June 1998
(98-2358)
Committee on Import Licensing Original:  English
REPLIES TO QUESTIONNAIRE ON IMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES1
Notification under Article 7.3 of the
Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures
JAMAICA
The following notification, dated 29 May 1998, has been received from the Permanent
Mission of Jamaica.
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Outline of system
1. Jamaica operates a single open general import licensing system.
Purpose and coverage of licensing
2. The import licensing system covers 39 products.  The list of products is at Annex 1.3. The system covers all countries trading with Jamaica.4. It is not intended to restrict the quantity or value of imports.  The system is an administrative
mechanism intended for monitoring the import of products which could affect the environment, healthand security of Jamaica.  While an alternative has not been considered in recent years, the list ofdesignated products is reviewed periodically with the objective of removing items where justifiable.
5. The import licensing system falls under the Trade Act of 1955, Section 11.  Licensing is
statutorily required.  Designation of products is not left to administrative discretion, and the systemcannot be abolished without legislative approval.
Procedures
6. I. Jamaica does not apply quota restrictions.  Information on the licensing system, in
booklet form, is published by the Trade Board ou tlining the suppor ting documentation to accompany
licence applications.  The information is distributed by the Trade Board and through Jamaica'sEmbassies/Missions overseas.  Any changes in procedure are published in the newspapers.
                                                     
     1See document G/LIC/3, Annex, for the Questionnaire.G/LIC/N/3/JAM/1
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II-IV. Not applicable.
V. Minimum - one day (without impediments).
Maximum - five days (where documentation is incomplete and referrals to other
Ministries are required).
VI. Once the licence is granted, goods may be imported immediately.VII. Licence applications are primarily considered by the Trade Board.  In certain cases,
the recommendation of other government Ministries/A gencies, such as the Ministry of National
Security and the Bureau of Standards, is sought.
VIII-X. Not applicable.XI. No.
7. (a) No time period is stipulated.  The licence should be obtained before the product is
imported.
(b) Yes.(c) No.(d) See reply 6.VII.
8. There are no other circumstances other than failure to meet statutory requirements.  The
reasons for refusal are given to the applicant who has the right to appeal by means of a letter to theTrade Administrator presenting any new information.  In certain cases, a special committee reviewsthe case.
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence
9. All persons, firms and institutions are eligible  to apply for licences under a non-restrictive
system.  However, for importation of motor vehicles dealers must be certified.  A registration fee isrequired.  A list of certified dealers is available.
Documentational and other requirements for application for licence
10. Applications bear the name and address of the importer, individual/company, description of
goods, quantity and CIF value, and pro forma invoice or proo f of ownership bearing the name of the
individual or company.  Individuals importing items are also required to submit proof of identity withthe application.  A sample form is at Annex II
2.  The form for firms is similar to that for individuals.
11. Importers of licensable items must obtain the import licence before actual importation.  Upon
importation all importers must submit to the Customs Authorities the original import licence,ownership documents or receipts for items purchased along with necessary shipping documentsrequired by Customs.
                                                     
2 Available for consultation in the Secretariat (Market Access Division) (English only).G/LIC/N/3/JAM/1
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12. Yes, there are administrative charges (fees).  A receipting fee is required on submission of all
applications and a processing fee to a maximum of  J$776.00 is paid at the point of delivery.
13. There are no deposits or advance payments required.Conditions of licensing
14. Licences are valid for the duration of the financial year - April of one year to March of the
next year, or, in certain cases, for six months.  Validity can be extended by written request.
15-16. No.17. Not applicable.Other procedural requirements
18. Not applicable.19. Jamaica's foreign exchange system has been fully liberalized.  A licence is not required as a
condition for obtaining foreign exchange.G/LIC/N/3/JAM/1
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ANNEX
List of items requiring an import licence
Heading No. Description
Chapter 4 Milk and cream, concentrated or containing added sugar or other
sweetening matter (only those heading Nos. listed below)
040210 In powder, granules or other solid forms, of a fat content (not
exceeding 1.5 per cent)
040220 In powder, granules or other solid forms, of a fat content (exceeding
1.5 per cent)
Chapter 12
12.11 Plants and parts of plants (incl. seeds and fruits), of a kind used only
in perfumery, in pharmacy or for insecticidal, fungicidal or similar
purposes, fresh or dried, whether or not cut, crushed or powdered
(only those heading Nos. listed below)
1211009 Other plant parts for perfume and pharmaceutical purposes e.g.
cannabis and cocoa leaf
Chapter 13
13.01 Lac;  natural gums, resins, gum-resins and balsam (only those
heading Nos. listed below)
1301001 Cannabis resin13.02 Vegetable saps and extracts;  pectic substances, pectinates and
pectates;  agar-agar and other mucilages and thickeners, whether or
not modified, derived from vegetable products (only the heading Nos.
listed below)
130210 Vegetable saps and extracts e.g. agar-agar, concentrate of poppy
straw, extracts and tinctures of cannabis and opium
Chapter 28
28.04 Hydrogen, rare gases and other non-metals (only those heading Nos.
listed below)
280410 Hydrogen
280420 Rare gases28.07 Sulphuric acid;  oleum (only those heading Nos. listed below)2807001 Sulphuric acid, for chemical analysisG/LIC/N/3/JAM/1
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Heading No. Description
2807002 Sulphuric acid, other
2807003 Oleum
Chapter 36
360100 Propellant powders
360200 Prepared explosives other than propellant powders360300 Safety fuses;  detonating fuses;  percussion or detonating caps;
igniters;  electric detonators
3604 Fireworks, signalling flares, rain rockets, fog signals and other
pyrotechnic articles (only those heading Nos. listed below)
360410 Fireworks
3604909 OtherChapter 87
87.02 Public-transport type passenger motor vehicles (all heading Nos.)87.03 Motor cars and other motor vehicles incl. station wagon and racing
cars (all heading Nos.)
87.04 Motor vehicles for the transport of goods (excluding pick-ups and
trucks over 3 tons;  all heading Nos.)
870600 Chassis fitted with engines (for motor vehicles of heading Nos. 87.02
to 87.05)
8706009 Other chassis fitted with engines8707 Bodies (incl. cabs) for the motor vehicles of heading nos. 87.02-87.04
(excl. cabs for p/ups)
8707001 Bus bodies
8707009 Other bodies871000 Tank and other armoured fighting vehicles8711 Motorcycles (incl. mopeds) and cycles fitted with an auxiliary motor,
with or without side-cars;  side-cars (only those heading Nos. listed
below)
871140 600cc-800cc
871150 Over 800ccG/LIC/N/3/JAM/1
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Heading No. Description
871190 Other motor/auto cycles and side car (600cc and over)
87.14 Parts and accessories of vehicles of heading No. 87.11871410 Parts and accessories (for heading No. 8711)Chapter 89
8906 Other vessels, incl. warships and lifeboats other than rowing boats
(only those heading Nos. listed below)
8906001 Vessels exceeding 708 cubic metres (warships only)8906009 Other
Chapter 93
930100 Military weapons, other than revolvers, pistols and the arms of
heading No. 93.07.00
930200 Revolvers and pistols other than those of heading Nos. 93.03 or
93.04.00
9303 Other firearms and similar devices which operate by the firing of an
explosive charge (only those heading Nos. listed below)
9303001 Light pistols and other devices e.g. flares, etc.9303009 Other
930400 Other arms (rifle, air/spring guns, pistol, etc. incl. those of heading
No. 93.07.00)
930500 Parts and accessories of articles in 93.01-93.0493.06 Bombs, grenades, torpedoes, mines, missiles, and similar munitions
of war and parts thereof;  cartridges and other ammunition andprojectiles and parts thereof, incl. shot and cartridge wads (only those
heading Nos. listed below)
9306002 Ammo/parts target shooting
9306009 Ammunition of war and parts thereof
930700 Swords, cutlasses, bayonets, lances and similar arms and parts thereof
and scabbards and sheaths thereforG/LIC/N/3/JAM/1
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Heading No. Description
Chapter 95
95.03 Other toys;  reduced-size ("scale") models and similar recreational
models, working or not;  puzzles of all kinds (only the heading No.listed below)
950390 Other (toy guns for recreation incl. water pistols)95.04 Articles for funfair, table or parlour games, incl. pintables, billiards,
special tables for casino games and automatic bowling alley
equipment (only those heading Nos. listed below)
950410 Video games of a kind used with television receiver950430 Other games, coin or disc-operated amusement machine, other than
bowling alley equipment
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