The Commerce Division is responsible for the development of policies and programmes that facilitate commerce and govern how business and trade activities are conducted in Jamaica. This entails the development, recommendation and implementation of policies, strategies, programmes, and regulations designed to foster a stable, competitive, and transparent environment aimed at increasing commercial activities, sustaining businesses, and promoting exports and investments. The division is mandated to create an environment that balances the interests of domestic and regional producers, importers, retailers, and consumers.
Functions of The Commerce Division
Designs, recommends, and implements policies, strategies, legislation, and programs that will ensure a stable, competitive, and transparent commercial environment which balances the interest of domestic and regional producers, importers, retailers, and consumers.
Administers Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Safeguards and Common External Tariff (CET) suspensions in accordance with the provisions of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas.
Formulates projects and programs to manage and monitor select sensitive commodities.
Provide responses to CARICOM on the availability of products/commodities and monitors, supports, and ensures close collaboration with the commerce related departments and agencies with the Ministry’s portfolio.
Services of The Commerce Division
The Suspension/Alteration of the CET is an incentive for
registered manufacturers to import raw materials & intermediate goods duty-free.
registered manufacturers to import raw materials & intermediate goods duty-free.
Request for the granting of Suspension/ Alteration of CET to Manufacturer:
A safeguard complies with the Rules of Origin
(ROO) requirements. Rules of Origin are the criteria needed to determine the national source of a
product. Their importance is derived from the fact that duties and restrictions in several cases depend
upon the source of imports (World Trade Organization). It allows manufacturers to use extra-regional
inputs and still have their products qualify for duty-free access under CARICOM.
(ROO) requirements. Rules of Origin are the criteria needed to determine the national source of a
product. Their importance is derived from the fact that duties and restrictions in several cases depend
upon the source of imports (World Trade Organization). It allows manufacturers to use extra-regional
inputs and still have their products qualify for duty-free access under CARICOM.
Request for granting the Safeguard Mechanism Certificate to Manufacturers:
- Complete: “Safeguard Application form”
- Complete Letter, with description of item(s), requesting Suspension.
- Send the completed application to commerce@miic.gov.jm
Submit a letter requesting removal of the word ‘Limited” giving an outline of the company, specify how the
company contributes to the community and state clearly if amendments were made to the Articles of Incorporation
and Association. Submit the following documents:
company contributes to the community and state clearly if amendments were made to the Articles of Incorporation
and Association. Submit the following documents:
- Certificate of Incorporation & Copy
- Articles of Incorporation & Copy
- Memorandum of Association & Copy (if registered before 2004)
- Special Resolution from COJ (if amendments were made to Articles)
- MIIC Special Resolution form
Section 150 facilitates the extension of the financial year for a holding company or its subsidiary so that the financial year may coincide with that of the holding company, as well as to postpone the submission of relevant accounts to a general meeting from one calendar year to the next.
- Submit a letter requesting extension of the financial year with relevant documents.
Agency/Department Liaison:
