TERMS & CONDITIONS
THINGS TO NOTE:
For our Privacy Policy & a breakdown of how we use your data please see: PRIVACY POLICY PAGE
OUR ROLE AS YOUR COURIER AGENT INCLUDES:
Clearing your items/packages on behalf of you the importer, through our Courier Agent or by an importer at the warehouse where the goods are stored. Packages with a Free on Board (FOB) value of US$100 or less will not attract Customs charges. However, if the value is greater Customs charges will be calculated on the full value. It is therefore important that the invoice be included in the package, or presented to Customs to assist with the assessment of the items.
If a package is detained by Customs an advisory will be sent via the Email Address provided at signup, stating the reason for the detention and what is required. By creating an account via our website and or in person at one of our outlets and or branch locations you agree to Authorize Momentum Carriers and its affiliates to act as your Courier Agent in matters relating to the Jamaica Customs Agency, USPS and other services relevant to transacting the business of importing and exporting. You will therefore be required to provide updated, relevant forms of identification including signatures of approval where necessary.
REGISTERING/SIGNUP:
Once you have registered for a Momentum Carriers account, it will be assumed that you have already read and accepted our terms and conditions. We kindly encourage customers to review our policies, at intervals, in order to remain up to date with any possible changes.
After creating an account with us, each customer will be given a US or other mailing address along with a unique mailbox code to which packages can be sent at any time. When making a purchase, the complete mailing address has to be entered in order to prevent packages from being delivered to the wrong person. An incorrect mailing address may also attract a fee to have it modified to the correct address.
SHIPPING SCHEDULE:
IMPORTING: With Momentum, packages are transported twice per week from our Florida warehouse to Jamaica. We advise that customers upload their invoices and/ or create a pre-alert of their packages within a timely manner. Standard Air Shipments are sent on Tuesdays and Thursdays Weekly, While Sea Freight is sent on a Friday Weekly. This schedule is subject to change without notice.
CUSTOMS PROCESSING TIME: The actual processing time depends on the time that your package(s) arrive in Jamaica and then clears customs. In the best possible scenario we will usually complete processing on the same day and your order will be ready for pickup on the next or within Three (3) business days.
PACKAGING: Since we do not offer packaging solutions, we encourage customers to ensure that their items are properly packaged in order to prevent damage. Momentum Carriers will not assume responsibility for items that may become damaged outside of our care such as when clearing customs or packages that may have arrived damaged from the company that you purchased from online. We will only assume liability for packages that may become damaged or missing while in our possession.
FLIGHT SCHEDULE:
SATURDAY PICKUP
If your package is dropped off between Monday and Wednesday then it will be ready for pickup by the next Saturday.
WEDNESDAY PICKUP
If your package is dropped off between Thursday and Saturday then it will be ready for pickup by the next Wednesday.
LOCAL PROCESSING:
Once in Jamaica, packages are weighed and priced. Momentum Carriers prices packages according to their weight and/or the cost of the items inside the package. We provide a rate sheet and a rate calculator on our website so that customers may obtain an estimate of the cost of their package(s) beforehand.
READY AT COUNTER:
Once a flight manifest has been processed Local invoices are generated for each package and a Ready at Counter notification email, which includes said invoice, will be sent.
DAMAGED GOODS/RETURNS:
At Momentum Carriers, we treat our customers as a part of our family by providing the lowest possible rates, exceptional customer service in addition to special promotions for frequent users. While we understand that no one wants to receive damaged goods and strive to ensure a seamless and ultimately satisfactory shopping experience, there is a limit to the level of liability which Momentum Carriers will assume.
In the rare event that you should need to return your order, Momentum Carriers will assist you in making these arrangements to the best of our ability. Please contact your local pickup counter for more information.
UNCLAIMED/ABANDONED PACKAGES:
Packages that remain unclaimed or uncollected at our Local Warehouse for Three (3) months or Ninety (90) consecutive days will be auctioned off to recuperate any expenses incurred as a result of the package being abandoned.
If you have a package that has remained unclaimed for less than but close to Ninety (90) consecutive days, then please contact your local pickup counter for information relating to accumulated storage fees and payment options. See Storage Fees and charges below.
- Packages shipped by Air get to you within 3-5 Business Days. This method is best for light to medium weight shipments
- Packages shipped by Sea get to you within 3 Weeks. This method is best for heavy shipments since they’re charged by size and not weight. 30lbs and over is our recommendation.
- Local Delivery is available upon request. Please contact us for more information.
PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT US IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, COMMENTS AND OR CONCERNS.
WHAT ARE PERSONAL ITEMS?.
The Jamaica Customs Agency defines personal items as those goods whose nature, quantity, and intended use indicate that they are for private, personal or household consumption and do not reflect any commercial intent.
Personal items therefore include all articles (new or used) which may be reasonably required for personal, taking into account all the circumstances of use, but excluding any goods imported for commercial purposes.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED WHEN CLEARING PERSONAL ITEMS INCLUDE:
- Valid identification such as Passport, National ID or Jamaican Driver’s Licence.
- Taxpayer Registration Number (TRN)
- A Proper Unedited and Valid Invoice (where applicable)
- Import Permit or Import Licence (where applicable)
WHAT ARE COMMERCIAL GOODS?.
The Jamaica Customs Agency specifies that Goods can be classified as being commercial if they fall into any of the following categories:
- They are imported for business purposes.
- They are imported for resale.
- They are samples imported for business purposes.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR CLEARING COMMERCIAL GOODS INCLUDE:
- Goods with a Cost Insurance and Freight (CIF) value of more than US$5000.00 will require additional documentation. Please notify us in advance to schedule these shipments.
FEES, RESTRICTIONS & PROHIBITED ITEMS
RESTRICTED SHIPMENTS
Any restricted goods arriving without a valid permit is a breach of Section 210 of the Customs Act.
Please note the following items cannot not be legally imported and therefore will be disposed of at your expense: Toy guns, pepper spray, any form of weapons including swords, guns, ammunition, radar detectors, unprocessed meat, live animals, firecrackers, explosives, lighters and matches, camouflage, cash etc.
PERMIT REQUIRED
Some products require a special permit to be imported. Please contact us for information before shipping these items. The list includes but is not limited to: Supplements, pesticides, sexual enhancers, certain plants and seeds, animal products, honey, swords, gun holsters, bow and arrows etc.
Persons who wish to import meat products for personal use must have:
- Meat inspection certificates from the relevant approved official Government Veterinary Division or Ministry of Agriculture.
- Stamp of approval on all carcasses
- An import license from the Ministry of Agriculture in Jamaica. The Jamaica Tourist Board will make arrangements to obtain the license, if given two weeks notice. Goods not in compliance with these stipulations will be confiscated and handed over to the relevant authority when detected.
FEES & CHARGES
Handling Fees are not directly related to the goods being shipped but are instead generated by extraordinary storage time, transportation, time and resources that would have been used to facilitate the clearance of the shipment. Handling Fees include:
1. UNKNOWN PACKAGE FEES: Bad/Incomplete/Incorrect Addresses which result in packages being held in an unassigned state at our Overseas Warehouse. The fee for packages with bad shipping addresses is $3 USD/package.
2. DETAINED PACKAGE FEES: Items that were detained or held pending the submission of invoices will attract a fee. We urge you to upload your invoice(s) as soon as your supplier provides a tracking number or as soon as the item is delivered to the overseas warehouse in order to prevent these fees being applied. The fee for packages that are detained for a prolonged period is $3 USD/package.
3. PROCESSING FEES: This helps us cover the risk(s) associated with charge-backs which may arise from accepting Credit Cards or Other Digital Payment Options, as well as the technology required in the provision of this service in general. This fee is 4% of the total figure.
4. STORAGE FEES: These fees automatically begin accruing once a package has been in our Local Warehouse for over Fourteen (14) days. Packages that remain unclaimed for Three (3) months or Ninety (90) consecutive days, from the “Ready For Pickup Date”, will be auctioned off to recuperate any expenses incurred as a result of the package being abandoned. This fee is $0.75 USD per Day.
5. OVERSIZED HANDLING FEES: A Handling fee of $3 USD/package is added to all packages between 5-10 Ibs and $7 USD/package for packages 10Ibs and Over. Packages weighing more than 70 lbs or having dimensions exceeding 90 inches attract a fee of $10 USD/package. Oversized Packages automatically qualify for free Home Delivery. Please schedule delivery at the soonest possible time to avoid storage fees..
6. REPACKAGING FEES: Some US sellers will from time to time ship orders in plain plastic bags. One such example is Walmart. In the instances where this occurs Momentum will make every effort to safely repackage your shipment to ensure safe delivery. In these instances the fees are as follows: Packages 0-20lbs the fee is $5 USD/package. 21-45lbs is $10 USD/package. 46 – under 70lbs the fee is $15 USD/package. TVs requiring re-packing are $30 USD/package.
SPECIAL ORDERS
Take advantage of our Guaranteed Price Offers and only pay what you agreed to. To take advantage of these limited time offers, create a Personal Shopper Account on our website or visit our location nearest you to have it done for you. Next:
- Choose from any of our limited time only offers and contact us to arrange payment/use your credit card to make payment.
- If you are paying in Cash then a 50% deposit is required to order the item, with the balance due on arrival to the Island.
- Package must be collected within 14 Days of receiving the “Ready for Pickup” notification.
- This offer is valid only while limited time offers last.
- Orders not collected within 14 business days will become classified as “Aged Packages”. Aged Packages will begin accruing storage fees and can be disposed off in the same manner as any other abandoned page.
PLEASE NOTE:Â This list is not exhaustive. Items are added and taken off as the Government dictates. Momentum Carriers does not facilitate the importation of Living organisms or Perishables.
DUTIES, TAXES & FEES ON APPLICABLE IMPORTED ITEMS COLLECTED BY CUSTOMS
The following is a breakdown of the definitions chargss and terms as used by the Jamaica Customs Agency.
- Import Duty/Customs Duty
This is the duty payable on imported goods. The rates of duty are published in the Jamaica Customs Tariff, which may be purchased from Jamaica Printing Services at 77 ½ Duke Street, Kingston, Telephone (876) 967-2250; [email protected].
- Stamp Duty
Postage Stamps amounting to the value of Jamaican Five Dollars ($5) must be affixed to receipts with a Cost Insurance and Freight (c.i.f.) value of Five Thousand Five Hundred Jamaican Dollars (J$5,500) and less. For receipts with values above this range, One Hundred Dollars ($100) worth of stamps must be affixed.
- Additional Stamp Duty (ASD)
Additional stamp duty is payable on certain items e.g., chicken and most chicken parts, pork and some pork products, beef and some beef products; some aluminum products, alcoholic beverages, and cigarettes.
- General Consumption Tax (GCT) and Special Consumption Tax (SCT)
The General Consumption Tax Act provides for two main types of taxes.
These are General Consumption Tax (GCT) and Special Consumption Tax (SCT).
Since October 22, 1991, the General Consumption Tax (GCT) and Special Consumption Tax (SCT) have replaced several duties and taxes, e.g., Excise Duty, CARICOM Duty, Consumption Duty, Entertainment Duty, Retail Sales Tax, Hotel Accommodation Tax and Telephone Service Tax.
GCT is paid on goods and services except those items that are zero-rated and those that are exempted from GCT. Zero rated items are items that attract 0% GCT. Exempted items are items that do not attract GCT.
SCT is payable on a few items. These are alcoholic beverages, most tobacco products and some petroleum products.
Most items attract only GCT, while some attract both GCT and SCT.
- Standard Compliance Fee (SCF)
This is a fee of 0.3% collected on behalf of the Bureau of Standards. SCF is calculated on the CIF value.
- Customs Administrative Fee (CAF)
The Customs Administrative Fee (CAF) is a fee imposed on or in connection with importation or exportation, and is an approximate cost of the services rendered
- Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF)
Cost: This is the total cost of the goods abroad including ex-factory price, commission, mark-up and inland freight but including sales tax and interest. The cost of the goods is sometimes expressed as FOB (Free on Board) or FOA (Free on Air)
- Â Insurance: This is the insurance charge which is payable to transport the goods to Jamaica in order to ensure that some compensation will be available to you in the event of the loss or damage of the goods.
If you have not paid any insurance charges when freighting your goods to Jamaica, an insurance charge is still applicable for valuation purposes. For goods arriving by sea, the insurance charge is 1.5% of the total Cost and Freight(c. & f.), that is, if the goods cost US$100 and the freight charge is US$50, then C&F would be US$100 + US$50 = US$150. 1.5% of US$150, i.e. 150 x 3/200 = US$2.25.
Total c.i.f. therefore is $100 + $50 + $2.25 = US$152.25.
For shipments arriving by air the insurance applicable is 1% of the total Cost and Freight. The insurance rate of 1.5% is applicable to marine cargo.
- Freight: This is the amount of money paid or payable to the shipping agent or the airlines for the goods to be shipped or transported to Jamaica, including inland freight, packaging and handling charges.
- Environmental Levy – 0.5% of the CIF value of all imports