Category

Import Inspection  Procedure 

Responsible Agency       

Ministry of Health 

Address: 10-16 Grenada Way

Kingston 5

Phone: 

876-633-8172, 876-633-7771 

Legal base of the Procedure

 The Food and Drugs Act

 

Required Information

No.

Type of information

Note

1

Import Declaration, Bill of Lading (BoL) or Air Way Bill (AWB), invoice, TCC, TRN, GCT Certificate and where required; Import Permit, certificate of origin, health certificate  

 

Process Steps

Step 1

Importer submits Import Declaration and supporting documents 

 

Step 2

MOH receives and checks documents 

Step 3

Document Stamped "To be inspected" and returned to Broker 

 

Step 4

 Import Declaration and supporting documents received  

 

Step 5

Broker advise MOH when goods available for inspection
Step 6  Inspectors allocated to consignment to be inspected   
Step 7 JCA Site and Wharf Container Inspection list general  
Step 8

Site list and Wharf Container Inspection List

 
Step 9

 

The list is sent to OGAs

 

 
Step 10

JCA list is received

 
Step 11

HQ advises Parish Inspectors offices of consignments to be inspected  

Step 12 Goods inspected at port, cold store or owner's premises 
Step 13

If goods can be released to trade then:

i) Import Declaration is stamped and signed as approved and returned to owner/broker 

ii) Import Declaration and supporting documents are received

If goods cannot be released to trade then:

i) Goods are detained and notice of seizure  is issued to the importer and copied to Customs 

ii) Notice of Seizure received by the importer 

iii) Notice of Seizure is received by Jamaica Customs 

If importer appeals the decision then: 

i) The importer prepares and lodges an appeal

Step 14  Goods are detained and notice of seizure  is issued to the importer and copied to Customs 
Step 15

If  testing is  not required  then:

i) Food is condemned 

ii) Food disposal complete 

iii) Disposal Certificate is issued to the importer and copied  to Customs 

iv) Notice of Release received by the importer 

v) Notice of Release received by the Jamaica Customs 

If testing is required then: 

i) A sample is taken and tested 

 

Step 16

If food does not meet standards then:

i) Food is condemned 

ii) Food disposal complete 

iii) Disposal Certificate is issued to the importer and copied  to Customs 

iv) Notice of Release received by the importer 

v) Notice of Release received by the Jamaica Customs 

If food standards then

i) Public Health issues notice of the release and notifies Customs and importer of decision/approval

ii) Notice of Release received by the importer 

iii) Notice of Release received by Jamaica Customs 

 

 

Forms
# Title Description Issued By File
Measures
# Name Description Measure Type Agency Comments Legal Document Validity To Measure Class
1 Inspection of Imported Food The importation of any food products requires products to be inspected by a Ministry of Health inspector from the Ministry of Health (MOH) after the importation of plant products in Jamaica. Any food products are required under the law- Foods and Drugs Act 1975 to be inspected Inspection Requirement Ministry of Health & Wellness Importers must get their food products inspected in Ministry of Health The Food and Drugs Act 9999-09-09 Good
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