Returning Residents

The establishment of the Returning Residents Facilitation Unit in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade in Kingston is to deal specifically with Returning Residents' affairs. The Unit co-ordinates the efforts of designated officers in Jamaican Embassies, High Commissions and Consulates in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom specially assigned to deal with Returning Residents, and liaises with Ministries and Government Agencies which administer the various procedures and regulations affecting Returning Residents.

The review of statutory provisions relating to such matters as eligibility for concessions, and importation of personal and household effects and tools of trade with a view to possible amendment of the relevant laws.
The standardization of procedures relating to the importation of motor vehicles for all Jamaicans at home and abroad.
The provision of adequate and up-to-date information to actual and potential Returning Residents and the briefing of officials with whom they will come into contact.

As part of a process of liberalization, every effort has been made to simplify the bureaucratic processes involved in returning home.

We must caution however, that penalties still exist for the abuse of the relevant laws and regulations. Please be aware of this and act accordingly.

In preparing this document, matters that a Returning Resident will have to address have been identified, some of which require explanation and prior knowledge of what to expect. We believe that this Information Pack should provide the answers to most of your questions, but please do not hesitate to contact the Returning Residents Facilitation Unit, or the Jamaican Diplomatic or Consular Mission nearest to you at the addresses in the directory provided should you require any further clarification.

For detailed information contact the Returning Residents Facilitation Unit Jamaica High Commission UK.

The Returning Residents Facilitation Unit's Web site incorporating general facts on the Returning Residents Programme as well as Skills Bank Programme details as part of the process of providing increased communication links to Jamaican communities abroad. This follows on the establishment (June 1996) of our e-mail address rrfuminfaft@cwjamaica. Earlier (January 1996) the text of the Returning Residents Information Pack was made available "On Line" on the (REMNET) Jamaica House on the Web site at http://www.jol.com.jm.

Amendment to motor vehicle policy reducing the age limit on used motor vehicles to be imported into Jamaica from seven (7) years to four (4) years in the case of motor cars and from seven (7) years to five (5) years in the case of light commercial vehicles.

Used motor vehicles to be imported into Jamaica must not be older than 1994 model units. Submission of applications for the importation of older units will not be accepted by the Trade Board.

The Trade (Prohibition of importation Equipment con-taining Chloroflourocarbons) Order, 1997 advising importers of the prohibition of the importation into Jamaica of equipment containing or using Chloroflourocarbons (CFC) may be scheduled to he effected in March 1998 Such. equipment would include domestic refrigerators and deep freezers; and domestic and vehicular air conditioning units and importers may he subject to penalties for the importation of equipment containing CFCs after specified dates. Full schedule of equipment and effective date of implementation - may he had from Trade Board.

New 876 country area code introduced for overseas telephone calls to Jamaica. The new 876 code replaced the 809 international area code.

Approval of amendments to the Customs regulations to provide for the increase from US$l000 to US$5000 in value of goods which may he cleared by individual importers without requirement for the services of a licensed customs broker.

The Returning Residents Facilitation Unit launched a Feature Column in collaboration with GO-JAMAICA the Jamaica Gleaner web site at http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com aimed at providing information directly to prospective returning residents where queries regarding the process of relocation to Jamaica and related issues deal with.

A Tax Registration Number System was Introduced by the Government as part of the Tax Administration Reform Project. Please note that all Jamaicans including returning residents transacting business with local Revenue Departments, and these include the Customs Department and the Trade Board Limited, will require a Tax Registration Number (TRN).

Application on prescribed forms (Sample form included in this Information Pack) must be made to the Revenue Board (See Address in the Directory Section) or through the Taxpayers Service Centres/ Tax Collectorates in each Parish Arrangements have been made for temporary TRN's to be issued to permit the conduct of business while applications for permanent TRN's are processed.

Detailed information may be requested directly from the Taxpayer Registration Centre, Revenue Board Kingston. You may also contact the overseas diplomatic or consular mission nearest you or the Returning Residents Facilitation Unit for guidance.

Community Relations Officer's
E-mail address: - cooperd@jhcuk.com
Telephone No: - (44) (0) 207 808 8020