KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) is confident that it will be able to effectively ‘clamp down’ on importers who attempt to circumvent customs regulations and take steps to evade duties.
This, they say, is as a result of the Automated System for Customs Data – ASYCUDA World – that has been in full effect at the agency since April 1.
In a media release today, the agency said the implementation of ASYCUDA World requires that cargo manifest declarations be submitted to the JCA prior to the arrival of the cargo, which has strengthened the risk management capabilities of the agency.
CEO of the JCA, Major Richard Reese, said the agency has urged importers, commercial and otherwise, to obey the regulations governing the importation of goods, in order to prevent being in breach.
According to Major Reese, the JCA has had to deal with several cases of breach, even though majority of the importers are compliant.
“During the 2015/2016 financial year, the JCA registered in excess of 700 breaches, covering both commercial and non-commercial imports,” the release said, adding that the additional duties, taxes and fees collected as a result of these breaches amounted to more than J$35 million, while penalties and fines related to these breaches amounted to more than J$38 million.”
In most cases, it will be open to the importer to pay the applicable duties, taxes and deposit towards possible penalties, and clear the goods, pending the resolution of the breach.
