Useful information for sending a parcel to Jamaica
As a former British colony, Jamaica has close ties to the United Kingdom. Still, the island nation has its own rules for importing products and packages through its borders.
Like many former British colonies, Jamaica maintains its designation as a Commonwealth country. This means that the British monarch, currently Queen Elizabeth II, acts as the official head of state. The country, however, has been fully independent since 1962 and has a strong and distinct national identity and culture. Still, both the United States and Britain receive a measurable and significant number of immigrants from the island nation each year. US and British citizens also move rather freely across Jamaica's border. Trade relationships between Jamaica and the UK remain strong, largely because of this close historic and cultural relationship. More than 2 million Jamaicans live overseas, with Britain being the top emigration destination.
Jamaica is a large Caribbean-island nation of 2.7 million citizens. The country's capital is Kingston. Hailing from its English colonial heritage, the official language of Jamaica is English. However, a language of mixed cultures, often referred to as Creole, is the most commonly used method of communication. This influence is especially evident in the reggae music style that makes Jamaica world-famous on the music scene.
Beginning in the 1980s and accelerating during the 90s, Jamaica's government has actively tried to improve economic conditions in the country. Private sector business and investments are encouraged under new economic growth policies, encouraging strong trade partners such as Britain to import to the country. Tourism is still the main economic engine in Jamaica, however, with industries such as agriculture and manufacturing filling in the gaps. The country mines products such as bauxite and alumina, while also growing tropical crops such as bananas, sugar and coffee.
We do have a good number of very fortunate people to have second homes in Jamaica who send items of
clothing (not jumpers and jackets I imagine) and other household items to their winter homes in Jamaica, as well as people here that have family on the wonderful Caribbean island that wish to send items to those family members for birthdays, Christmas and weddings. Via DHL we have managed to secure some fantastic prices for internal parcel delivery to Jamaica.
Despite most industrial and heavy items being much more expensive on the islands, we don't see many car parts or heavy electrical items be shipped over, but we do see a lot of delicate and fragile artwork being delivered thre. We also see a great deal of expensive cutlery being transported, especially items from such fine kitchenware from companies such as David Mellor.
Jamaica Import Restrictions
As part of the economic growth package Jamaica implemented in recent years, importing to the country is designed to be easy to understand and straightforward. However, some things are still prohibited from entering the country. Jamaica specifically indicates that
nothing of an obscene nature may be imported, including pornography, obscene items and indecent literature of any type. In addition, Jamaica will reject any package that promotes cultism. The country also does not allow counterfeit money to be delivered.
The list of restricted items is larger than the few things that are prohibited. Still, Jamaica is much more liberal than many other countries. Most restricted items are logical and the requirements are easy to understand. Licensing and permission is required to move:log and timber products from Liberia (wood-chips, poles, post, fence pickets, sheets, flooring, molding, pallet, tool handles, barrels, crates, tableware/kitchenware, shutters, blinds, cases/boxes/chests for jewelry and silverware, clothes hangers, clothespins, toothpicks, etc. As well as Indecent and obscene prints, paintings, photographs, cinematograph films, lithographs, engravings, books, cards or written communications or any indecent or obscene articles whether similar to the above or not and any parcels, packages or packets having thereon, or on the cover thereof, any words, marks or designs which are grossly offensive or of an indecent or obscene character.
As well as items from certain publications in Chicago relating to divination and similar topics.
A full listing, including the governing agencies who issue import licenses for these items, can be found at the
Jamaica Customs Department: website.
Can you deliver to all parts of Jamaica?
Jamaica may be one of the largest of the Caribbean islands, but we do offer a two day parcel delivery service to all parts of the island including all 14 parishes, towns and villages. If you're interested in finding out how cheap we can send a parcel to Jamaica on your behalf for, then just pop along to our
courier quotes form and it could take just five minutes to get your parcel booked in.
