Shipping and Clearing
Your Container

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Efficient Clearance for Container Shipments

Kingston Wharves handles both Full Container Load (FCL) and Less-than-Container Load (LCL) shipments.

Less-than-Container Load (LCL) shipments consist of various items for more than one person or consignee. This may include barrels, boxes, crate and pallets or other packages containing personal effects such as clothing, household items, small commercial items motor vehicle parts etc.

Full Container Load (FCL) normally have goods for one owner. These containers are often shipped by customers moving goods for their home or businesses seeking to replenish shelves or providing raw material in the manufacturing process. Returning Residents also often ship FCL containers with items and supplies to facilitate their resettlement

This guide outlines the step-by-step process for clearing a container in Jamaica.

Starting the Shipping Process from Overseas

The process begins with selecting an overseas shipping agent or freight forwarder. They will:

  • Collect your items, prepare documentation and arrange shipment to Jamaica.
  • Provide you with the details of their local agent so you can prepare for clearance when the cargo arrives in Jamaica.

If your cargo is valued at over $5,000USD, or require approval of import permits, you will require the services of a licensed Customs Broker to do the process on your behalf.

The overseas agent coordinates with the Jamaica-based agent, who manages the local clearance process once the shipment arrives at Kingston Wharves.

To import a container into Jamaica, it is recommended that you must work with a licensed customs broker. 

When the container arrives the shipping agent/line will provide an arrival notice and contact customer to settle shipping charges and Bill of Lading.

The Customs Broker or Freight Forwarder will:
  • Prepare and submit a Customs Declaration to the Jamaica Customs Agency.
  • Present the Bill of Lading to Kingston Wharves to pay terminal charges and stripping charges 
  • Lodge container documents and indicate the container activity
  • The container activities are listed below

Site Containers

Site Containers are removed to importer’s warehouse for examination and stripping.

  • An appointments must be scheduled in the Port Community System (PCS) for site removal for Customs examination.

Stripping Containers

Stripping Containers are stripped at a Kingston Wharves warehouse for Customs examination and delivery.

  • Manifest is uploaded to the PCS and a physical copy submitted to Kingston wharves Client Services Department
  • Container is stripped and cargo placed in the warehouse for Customs examination upon arrival of the customer 

Strip and Stuff Containers

Strip and Stuff Containers are stripped, examined, repacked, and delivered.

  • Container is stripped and examined by Customs
  • An appointments must be scheduled in the Port Community System (PCS) for site removal

Strip and Lift Containers

Strip and Lift Containers contents are stripped from the container and placed on delivery truck.

  • Container is stripped and examined by Customs
  • Containers reporting at Kingston Freeport Terminal (KFTL)
    Customer/Broker present the Arrival Notice to Kingston Wharves to and advice of stripping activity along with all the above.
Fees may include:
  • Shipping Agent Fees
  • Kingston Wharves Fees
  • Port Authority Fees
    • Port Development Cess 
    • Storage Fees (incurred daily 7 days after arrival at the port)
  • Customs Broker Fees
  • Jamaica Customs Agency Fees
  • Permit Fees (if required)

Kingston Wharves offers several payment methods:

Get more details here
To clear a container, you must present:
  • Bill of Lading or Order
  • Proof of payment for Kingston Wharves charges
  • Customs Declaration
  • Customs Release
  • Permits (if applicable)
  • Valid Government-issued Identification

Once the Jamaica Customs issues a Release, and all Kingston Charges are settled, Kingston Wharves will proceed to issue a gatepass to complete clearance.
Arrangement should be made with a haulage contractor to collect the Terminal

  • Special Notes
Have the Resources on Hand to Unpack Your Shipment from the Container

It is recommended that the customer have persons and other resources on hand to assist with the unloading of their container on the same day when it arrives at their premises. 

Allowing the trailer to wait for the container to return it to the terminal avoids the accumulation of demurrage which will accrue if the container is kept for more than the charge-free time allowed by the shipping line. It also avoids paying the trucker twice, as the haulage company will require another payment to make the trip to retrieve the container to take it back to the wharf.  

Storage—Storage costs are levied by the Port Authority of Jamaica. Quoted in Jamaican dollars, this payment applies if a shipment is not cleared within seven days of its arrival at the port. Storage costs are based on the container size.  

 

Contact your customs broker. For KWL charges call the Kingston Wharves Client Services, Information Desk at 876-618-1068, ext. 5510 or email customerservice@kwljm.com. You may also visit the Kingston Wharves’ website at www.kingstonwharves.com .   

 Strip and Stuff Versus Strip and Lift  

If a container is a strip and stuff, the container is unpacked for examination, repacked and then hauled on the back of a chassis from the Terminal at the end of the cargo clearance process.   When a container is a Strip and Lift, rather than hire a trailer to remove the entire container from the terminal, the customer would hire transportation to remove the contents on the terminal, leaving the container behind.  

Any cargo that arrives in Jamaica is in the custody of the Jamaica Customs Agency until it is cleared. A separate entity from Kingston Wharves Limited, Jamaica Customs is the government’s revenue collection and border protection agency that collects duties the State’s behalf. Jamaica Customs examines and values the cargo (whether a vehicle or other) and collects its charges.   

Kingston Wharves’ role is to receive the shipment and provide for its storage as well as safe and efficient delivery when all steps in the cargo clearance process have been completed. KWL also handles containers being exported and those for transhipment.  

Your customs broker usually guides the customer and monitors the process to the point where the container is collected or delivered. Your broker is the liaison between you and the companies involved in the clearance process. The broker provides the relevant documentation and makes the necessary arrangements for the seamless clearing of your cargo.