The third option is to travel personally to Panama to make purchases in the Colon showrooms. It is advisable to research in advance on DIZOLICOL to identify the stores that offer the products of interest. Given the magnitude of the Colon Free Zone, the largest in America and the second in the world, with an area of 1,064.58 hectares, it is vital to plan the visit carefully to make the most of the available time. After making the purchases, the buyer must coordinate the shipment of the products with a logistics company.
🇯🇲 How to import from Panama to Jamaica?
📦What products can be imported?
📄What are the requirements to import merchandise into Jamaica?
Before starting with what I need to import to Jamaica, it is important to determine under what legal entity (Company, Natural Person, or Mercantile Society) the documents will be presented at the Jamaica Customs. There is also the option of hiring the services of an accredited Customs Broker by the General Directorate of Customs of Jamaica, who can represent you in procedures with the General Directorate of Customs Services. The first step in the import process is to register with the various government entities involved in approving the entry of products into the country.
To import certain items into Jamaica, specific licenses and permits are required. Among these items are meats, fish, coconut derivatives, cooking oils, soaps, powdered milk, refined sugar, as well as plants and their parts for use in perfumery or pharmaceuticals, gum-resins, plant extracts, some chemicals, vehicles and their parts, and specific toys such as water guns and slot machines. Entities such as the Trade Board, the Veterinary Services Division, and the Plant Quarantine Division of the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, along with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, are in charge of issuing these licenses and permits, which are necessary for the import and sale of these items.
- Commercial Invoice
- Bill of Lading (BL) or Air Waybill (AWB)
- Certificate of Origin
- Sanitary or Phytosanitary Certificates (if applicable)
- Mercantile Registry Certificate (if applicable)
- Import License (if applicable)
- Taxpayer Registration Number (TRN) (if applicable)
- Tax Compliance Certificate (if applicable)
- Payment of relevant Duties and Taxes (if applicable)
🚢How much does freight cost from Panama to Jamaica?
The choice of container size and destination port will directly influence the expenses. From Panama, loading port options include the Port of Cristobal, the Manzanillo International Terminal-Panama, and the Colon Container Terminal (Evergreen). All of these have destinations in Jamaican ports such as the Port of Kingston, Montego Bay, or Port Antonio. Therefore, it is essential to choose the port that best aligns with your cargo requirements and the amount of merchandise. The journey usually takes between 2 and 4 days.
A 20-foot container (20ft) is a suitable option for smaller or medium loads. The estimated cost to ship it from Panama to Jamaica starts at $970, which could be a more affordable alternative if your business is in its early stages. On the other hand, if you plan to ship large volumes, a 40-foot container (40ft) might be more appropriate. Although its cost, starting at $1,290, is higher than the 20-foot container, it can be more economical for large batches of merchandise.
To ensure you get the best price, it is advisable to request quotes from various transport companies and compare them with each other.
📁 What are the import tariffs in Jamaica?
Import tariffs in Jamaica are calculated using the CIF (Cost, Insurance, and Freight) method, which means that import tariffs and taxes are based on the value of the imported goods plus shipping costs. In addition, as a member of CARICOM, Jamaica applies a Common External Tariff (CET) to imports from non-CARICOM member countries, which generally varies between 10% and 20%.
Specific tariffs can vary by product category. For example, some electronic products such as mobile phones and tablets may have a 0% tariff, while other items such as cameras, some fashion and beauty products, watches, and jewelry can have higher tariffs, reaching up to 30%. It is important to note that tariff percentages can change, and it is advisable to verify the most up-to-date information before making an import.
🛬 What are the Commercial Airports to receive my imports in Jamaica?
They have several commercial airports that play a crucial role in air connectivity and the transport of passengers and goods. Some of the main commercial airports are:
- Norman Manley International Airport (Kingston): Located in the capital, Kingston, it is a key hub for trade and transport in Jamaica.
- Sangster International Airport (Montego Bay): Situated in Montego Bay, it is known for handling a large volume of tourists and cargo, being vital for the tourism and commercial economy.
- Ian Fleming International Airport (Ocho Rios/Boscobel): Located near Ocho Rios, it mainly serves private and charter flights, contributing to local tourism and business.
⚓What are the sailing times from Panama to Jamaica?
Generally, the transit time starts from 2 days of sailing depending on the destination port, in addition to having weekly departure frequencies. Some of the most important ports are:
- Port of Kingston: Located in one of the largest natural harbors in the world, this port is a crucial hub in the Caribbean and is approximately 32 miles from the trade routes passing through the Panama Canal. It is known for being a leading transshipment port in the Latin American and Caribbean region.
- Port of Montego Bay: Known as MoBay, it is the second largest cruise port in Jamaica and can accommodate up to four vessels a day. It is composed of six berths and is an important center for tourism and transport.
- Port Antonio: Situated on the northeast coast of Jamaica, it is famous for being a shipping point for bananas and coconuts, in addition to being a significant tourist attraction.
- Port Kaiser: Located in the St. Elizabeth region, 87 kilometers west of Kingston, it is a small port that mainly handles general cargo.
- Port of Ocho Rios: Located on the north coast of Jamaica, this port comprises a cargo pier that handles sugar and other bulk cargoes, in addition to a passenger pier and an anchorage for cruise ships.
- Port of Lucea: Situated on the northwest coast of Jamaica, in the parish of Hanover, it is a small port that primarily handles molasses tankers.
- Port of Rio Bueno: A small port located in a coastal town between the parishes of St. Ann and Trelawny. It is known for having the deepest harbor in Jamaica.
- Port Esquivel: Situated on the south coast of Jamaica, near Old Harbour in St. Catherine, it is a port specialized in the handling of aluminum oxide (alumina).
- Port Rhoades: In Discovery Bay, it is a joint venture between the Government of Jamaica and Noranda Jamaica Bauxite Partnership, specializing in the handling of bauxite and alumina.
- Port Royal: Situated at the end of the Palisadoes, at the mouth of Kingston Harbour, it is an important cargo and cruise port.
- Port of Salt River: A deep-water port situated near Port Maria, it consists of a bulk cargo terminal and warehouses.
- Port of Savanna-la-Mar: Located in southwest Jamaica, in an open bay at the mouth of the Cabarita River.
- Port of Morant Bay: A Caribbean port situated approximately ten miles west of Morant Point, at the eastern end of Jamaica.
- Port of Falmouth: A newly developed cruise port in Trelawny, which has become a home for many merchants and cruise lines like Royal Caribbean.
To obtain detailed information on all ports, I would recommend consulting with the Port Authorities of Jamaica.
📄Where is the Consulate of Jamaica located?
Currently, it has a Consular Office at the J.W. Marriott, Office 602, PH Floor, Punta Pacifica, Panama City, and you can contact them by phone at (+507) 6517 1088.
🏨Where to stay if I travel to make my purchases?
If you book in advance you can save a lot of money; below we show you the hotel options chosen by the merchants who visit us in the Free Zone. Keep in mind that they are close by and you have the option to take a van or taxi that will take you inside it.
We also show you the options for hotels near the Free Zone and if you like you can consult the tentative dates for your trip. We have an agreement with the hotel search portal booking.com to offer our visitors the best deals on accommodation.
⚓What are the types of maritime containers to send my purchases?
Today, there are logistics services designed to meet your specific needs when transporting merchandise from Panama to Jamaica.
FULL CONTAINER LOAD (FCL) FROM PANAMA TO JAMAICA:
We offer you a variety of options in our Full Container Load (FCL) service to Jamaica, with 20 and 40-foot containers. If your cargo requires special equipment, such as open-top, flat-rack, or refrigerated containers, among others, our specialized equipment division in the Free Zone will provide you with the most suitable and available alternatives.
LESS THAN CONTAINER LOAD (LCL) FROM PANAMA TO JAMAICA:
For shipments that do not occupy a full container, you can take advantage of our maritime consolidation service from Panama to Jamaica. In this case, the rate is determined by the volume of your cargo. If the weight of the cargo exceeds the maximum limit allowed per cubic meter, a weight-based rate will apply.