Jamaica: sanctions and trade risk

No elevated indicator

As of 7 November 2026, the screened UN, EU, UK, Swiss and US sanctions lists contain 5 companies, organisations, vessels and aircraft linked to Jamaica.Lists last checked 2026-11-07 21:01 UTC.

Logistics profile: ports, airports, customs, documents, holidays, news ↓

No elevated country indicator for Jamaica in the route rules Sanctioni uses. That is not a clearance: goods may still be export-controlled, and parties in Jamaica may still be on a list.

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On the sanctions lists

5 entries on the official lists name Jamaica — as nationality, address, registration or flag. That links them to the country; it says nothing about other companies there. The same company can appear on several lists and is then counted once per list. Individuals are not included — Sanctioni does not process them.

List	Entries	Companies & organisations	Vessels	Aircraft
US OFAC — Specially Designated Nationals (SDN)	5	5	—	—

Latest changes

No new listings or removals naming Jamaica recorded yet.

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Logistics profile

Jamaica: logistics and trade

Caribbean transshipment hub

Jamaica (ISO code: JM) is the third-largest island in the Caribbean, located south of Cuba and west of Haiti. It is a parliamentary monarchy within the Commonwealth with stable institutions. The climate is tropical with a pronounced rainy season and a hurricane risk from June to November. The economy rests on services, tourism, mining (bauxite/alumina), agriculture and light industry. Exports are led by alumina, bauxite, rum, sugar and coffee, while the island depends heavily on imports of fuel, machinery, vehicles and food. The Port of Kingston, operated by Kingston Freeport Terminal (CMA CGM), is one of the leading container transshipment hubs in the Caribbean, complemented by Montego Bay and the international airports at Kingston and Montego Bay. The currency is the Jamaican dollar (JMD).

Capital: Kingston
Population: 2,839,175
Area: 10,991 km²
Currency: Jamaican dollar (JMD)
Continent: North America
Region: Caribbean
Economic area: CARICOM / CSME
Religions: Christianity
Access to the sea: Yes

Transport modes Sea · Road · Air

Current situation: Kingston (KFTL/CMA CGM) is a leading Caribbean transshipment hub; natural harbour with a depth of about 18 m for Neopanamax ships, about 2,0 million TEU in 2024.
Seasonal conditions: Atlantic hurricane season from June to November with storm, heavy rain and flood risks; possible port and airport closures.

Main seaports

Kingston
Kingston (JMKIN): the Caribbean's leading container transshipment hub, run by CMA CGM (KFTL). Neopanamax-capable, free zone, with alternatives like Caucedo.
Montego Bay
Montego Bay (JMMBJ): multipurpose and cruise port on Jamaica's north coast handling grain, fuel oil and bulk. Containers route via Kingston.
Port Esquivel
Port Esquivel (JM PEV): Jamaica's alumina bulk port west of Kingston, ~2.5M t/year, exporting alumina and molasses. Container alternative: Kingston.
Rocky Point
Rocky Point (JMROP), Jamaica: Jamalco's alumina export and tanker port in Clarendon, no container handling. Box freight runs via Kingston Freeport Terminal.
Ocho Rios
Ocho Rios (JMOCJ), Jamaica: mainly a cruise port, only limited cargo (sugar, limestone). Containers and customs handled via Kingston.
Port Kaiser
Port Kaiser (JMPKS): bulk terminal in St. Elizabeth, Jamaica, exporting alumina and bauxite (JISCO/Alpart) and importing fuel and acid. No containers – use Kingston.

Main trade lanes

Jamaica - USA
Jamaica - Panama (transshipment)
Jamaica - EU
Jamaica - CARICOM

Customs and import

Customs authority Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA)Official website ↗

Import customs system: Electronic via ASYCUDA World (eSAD); commercial declaration IM4 for goods valued from 5000 USD, otherwise IMS4; licensed customs broker mandatory.
Export customs system: ASYCUDA World; electronic export declaration; CARICOM certificate of origin C23 for preferential exports within CARICOM.
Import VAT: GCT standard rate of 15 percent; plus 5 percent Advance GCT on commercial imports by GCT-registered importers; additionally EPL 0,5 percent and SCF 0,3 percent on the customs value.
Proofs of origin and trade agreements: CARICOM origin via C23 invoice; CARIFORUM-EU EPA and CARIFORUM-UK EPA via EUR.1/statement of origin; imports from EU/UK largely duty-free.
Restricted and prohibited goods: Licence/permit required, among others, for firearms and ammunition (Trade Board, Firearm Licensing Authority), medicines, pesticides, agricultural, plant and animal products; motor vehicles over 700 cc require a licence, left-hand drive vehicles prohibited.

Logistics conditions

Customs complexity: Medium
Customs delays: Medium
Port congestion: Medium
Dangerous goods relevance: Medium
Pharma and cold chain relevance: Medium
E-commerce relevance: Medium to high

Trade

Top import partners

United States China Trinidad and Tobago Japan South Korea

Top export partners

United States Canada Netherlands Germany Spain

Top import goods

Petroleum products
Machinery
Vehicles
Chemicals
Food

Top export goods

Alumina
Bauxite
Rum
Sugar
Coffee

Typical cargo

Alumina / Bauxite
Rum
Coffee
Sugar
Petroleum products (imports)
Consumer and capital goods (imports)

Logistics questions

What import tax applies in Jamaica?

General Consumption Tax (GCT) is 15 percent. Commercial imports by GCT-registered importers also incur a 5 percent advance GCT, plus an Environmental Protection Levy (0.5 percent) and a Standards Compliance Fee (0.3 percent) on the customs value.

How is customs clearance handled?

The Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) processes imports and exports electronically via ASYCUDA World. Commercial shipments are declared as an eSAD (IM4 above a value of USD 5000); a licensed customs broker is generally required.

Which trade agreements apply to Jamaica?

Jamaica is a CARICOM member applying the Common External Tariff (CET); CARICOM-origin goods are largely duty-free with a C23 invoice. It also has the CARIFORUM agreements with the EU and the United Kingdom.

Which goods are import-restricted?

Permits or licences are required for firearms and ammunition (Trade Board / Firearm Licensing Authority), pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and agricultural, plant and animal products. Motor vehicles over 700 cc need a Trade Board licence; left-hand-drive vehicles are banned.

Which ports and airports are relevant?

The main port is Kingston with the Kingston Freeport Terminal (CMA CGM), a leading Caribbean transshipment hub with about 18 m depth for Neopanamax vessels. Other ports include Montego Bay and Port Esquivel. Air cargo runs via Norman Manley (KIN) and Sangster (MBJ).

What seasonal risks exist?

The Atlantic hurricane season from June to November brings storm, heavy-rain and flooding risks and can cause temporary port and airport closures as well as supply-chain disruptions.

Full logistics profile on Freight Academy ↗