News

Jamaica Customs Agency clarifies clearance procedures for containers

Published

7 years ago

December 30, 2016

Kingston, Jamaica, December 27, 2016 – For many Jamaicans with relatives overseas, receiving a barrel with gifts is a common occurrence. Though barrels are shipped to the island throughout the year, Jamaicans abroad and at home look forward to sending and receiving barrels at Christmas, which is the busiest period for the Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA).

Customs Manager for the JCA’s Operations Department, Alicia Christian-Scott, told JIS News that duration for processing and clearing barrels ranges from 30 minutes to one hour. She explained that specific documents are required to facilitate this. These include: shipping documents from agents; a national identification card; and a Taxpayer Registration Number (TRN).

Ms. Christian-Scott informed that any person clearing a barrel on behalf of a party in whose name the container was shipped must have a written authorization from the individual, as well as a copy of their identification, certified by a Justice of the Peace (JP). She said the processing fee is $2,500 plus General Consumption Tax (GCT), adding that the minimum duty applicable per shipment is $6,500. The customs officer said the sum of duty payable may vary and is contingent on the barrel’s contents.

Ms. Christian-Scott explained that on arriving at customs area, persons should collect their documents from the shipping agent and pay the relevant handling and/or freight charges. Thereafter, they should proceed to the warehouse where the barrels are stored, pay the relevant handling and storage fees and present the shipping documents to the security personnel on location.

Ms. Christian-Scott said once the barrel is located, a customs officer will ask the client to open the container for examination. The officer will evaluate the contents and, thereafter, direct the client to the customs cashier to pay the applicable duties and fees. At this stage the release order, received earlier, should be presented to the warehouse operator who will issue a gate pass. Persons should then proceed to the delivery area with this pass to collect their barrel, which then completes the process.

Ms. Christian-Scott told JIS News that if a client receives an unaccompanied baggage clearance declaration (C27/Yellow form) form at the airport, they should present this along with their passport and TRN card to the customs officer at the warehouse.

Ms. Christian-Scott said one of the main misconceptions in clearing containers was the belief that the JCA’s and shipping agent’s fees are one and the same. “When they go to the shipping agent to collect their document and pay the relevant fees to the warehouse personnel, and when they come to customs and we apply the relevant charges after examining their shipment, there are a lot of persons who will tell us that they have already paid, not realizing that when you interface with customs you are required to pay a processing fee and any relevant duties that will be applicable to the item,” she outlined.

Ms. Christian-Scott advised persons to ensure that prohibited or restricted items are not included in their barrels. Prohibited items include: narcotics, indecent and obscene prints, paintings, photographs and cinematograph films, among others. Restricted items are those requiring a special permit to be brought in. These include meats and plant material, among other items.

Photo credit: Jamaica Observer

News

InvestTCI facilitates the Development Agreement Between TCIG and Molo Hotel Group

Published

4 days ago

May 14, 2024

Deandrea Hamilton

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – May 14th, 2024 – The Turks and Caicos Islands Government and Molo Hotel Group reached a pivotal juncture on Monday, May 13th, 2024, with the ceremonial signing of a development agreement at the Premier’s Office on Providenciales. The agreement, which received official Cabinet approval on March 13th, 2024, signifies a steadfast commitment to advancing the economic landscape of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Molo Hotel Group is a family-owned business, renowned for its distinguished portfolio of high-quality hotels worldwide. The development initiative encompasses the construction of three distinct IHG branded hotels: InterContinental Turks and Caicos, Kimpton Turks and Caicos and Hotel Indigo Turks and Caicos. Scheduled for completion by 2027, each resort boasts a distinctive design from luxury to laidback sophistication spanning across the shores of Grace Bay Beach.

Kimpton Turks and Caicos – an epitome of luxury lifestyle living, will feature 192 guest rooms including three outdoor pools, a luxury spa and a fitness center. Additionally, seven dining options ranging from a beachfront restaurant to a rooftop bar.

Adjacent to the Kimpton, InterContinental Turks and Caicos will offer 59 classic luxury suites with panoramic ocean views. Mirroring its counterpart, this resort will offer an array of dining options and upscale facilities.

Steps away from the Intercontinental and Kimpton resorts, Hotel Indigo Turks and Caicos will embrace a sense of community and contemporary elegance, offering 56 bedrooms. The resort will feature an onsite restaurant, lobby bar, outdoor pool, and fitness room.

Beyond the realm of hospitality, this development agreement underscores the government’s commitment to fostering economic growth and enhancing employment opportunities in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Molo is partnering with the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College (TCICC) to actively promote hospitality as a career choice and support in developing training programs, career fairs, seminars, workshops, and events to raise awareness about hospitality careers. Molo has committed to provide employment and apprentice opportunities to TCICC students and provide mentoring and practical on property training to students.

The signing event was graced by Hon. Charles Washington Missick, Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Hon. Jamell Robinson, Deputy Premier, Hon. Kyle Knowles, Minister of Public Safety and Utilities, Hon. Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, Łukasz and Marcin Slominski, Owners of Molo, Ross Morrow, Managing Director Molo, Arik Kono, Vice President Upscale Development for IHG, Dr. Candice Williams, President and CEO of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Angela Musgrove, InvestTCI CEO, Dr. Barbara Ambrister, Chairperson of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Dr. Delores Stapleton- Harris, Vice President of Academic, Vocational and Student Affairs for the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Mr. Kevin Baxter, Dean of Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) and Sheryl McLaughlin, InvestTCI Investment Services Executive.

Commenting on the development agreement, Premier, Hon. Misick, stated “The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing of IHG/Molo Hotels is a significant step towards a sustainable future for hospitality in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Three hotels, Kimpton, Intercontinental, and Hotel Indigo, will be introduced, enhancing our tourism product and creating employment opportunities.”

He further added, “Partnerships with the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College and Turks and Caicos Islands Sports Commission are underway, demonstrating the Government’s commitment to developing human capital and elevating tourism offerings. This project will bring economic growth, embrace local talent, and enrich our economy.”

Additionally, Mrs. Angela Musgrove, CEO of Invest Turks and Caicos Islands, emphasized “This collaboration confirms our commitment to fostering economic growth and prosperity within our country. We have worked closely with Molo Hotel Group, and we are confident that this transformative project will further position the Turks and Caicos Islands as a premier destination for travel and investment. Much to our delight, it will also provide opportunities for engagement with our Community College and small business community.”

The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands, operating through its primary Investment Promotion

Agency, Invest Turks and Caicos Islands, remains committed to attracting and facilitating Foreign Direct Investments to the country by providing a comprehensive suite of services. Through strategic initiatives and targeted promotion, the agency catalyzes sustainable development, driving innovation and small business opportunities across various sectors of the economy.

Crime

Male Charged with Robbery

Published

6 days ago

May 13, 2024

Deandrea Hamilton

#TurksandCaicos, May 13, 2024 – Detectives of the Serious Crime Unit of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force have charged a man who allegedly stole a vehicle.

The accused, DANVANTE BRISCO, 30, of Kew Town, Providenciales, was charged with:

One Count: Robbery
One Count: Taking Motor Vehicle Without Authority
One Count: Using Offensive Weapon to cause fear

Mr. BRISCO appeared in court today (May 13 ) and was granted bail of $7500.00 with one surety.

The matter was adjourned to July 05 for a Sufficiency Hearing.

Crime

Dock Yard Male Charged

Published

6 days ago

May 13, 2024

Deandrea Hamilton

#TurksandCaicos, May 13, 2024 – A 20-year-old Dock Yard male appeared in court today (May 13th) charged with a series of firearm-related offences.

The accused, JAMES SIMON, was denied bail and remanded into custody pending a Sufficiency Hearing scheduled for July 05^th, 2024.

Mr. SIMON faces the following charges: 

One Count: Robbery;
One Count: Gang Membership
One Count: Possession of a Firearm for the Benefit of a Gang
One Count: Possession of Ammunition for the Benefit of a Gang.

The charges against Mr. Simon followed investigations by officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force into a robbery at the parking lot of a Casino where three males robbed a victim.

Additionally, Mr. Simon is charged with the following offences, having been arrested on May 02^nd, 2024, along South Dock Road.