Application Process for Exporters to Go Online

Effective August 23, exporters applying to the Trade Board Limited (TBL) for Certificates of Origin (COO) will be required to do so online.

This is in keeping with the decision to transition from the existing manual process to an electronic service to obtain certificates. The online process will also satisfy the requirements under the respective free trade agreements, while facilitating expeditious, seamless, and more timely service delivery.

Additionally, the digital process will significantly reduce the level or extent of physical interaction among stakeholder users, thereby aiding in limiting transmission of the pervasive coronavirus (COVID-19).

The COO verifies that exported goods are certified as of Jamaican origin and is forwarded to the relevant regulatory agencies in the recipient countries ahead of the shipments’ arrival.

This enables the importer to benefit from preferential tariff rates under the respective free trade agreements. It also enables the importer or his agent to initiate and complete the clearance process.

Digitisation of the COO forms part of the Government’s initiative for increased efficiency and ease of doing business under the Jamaica Single Window for Trade (JSWIFT) Project, for which the Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) is the lead implementing entity.

JSWIFT is tailored to provide traders and their representatives with access to fully automated services related to cross-border trade provided by state Border Regulatory Agencies (BRAs), thereby enabling clients to conduct seamless and timely electronic transactions.

JSWIFT Project Manager, André Williams, notes that the overall manual COO process is very time-consuming and involves “quite a bit of logistics” to obtain the approved document.

He explains that clients are currently required to complete the relevant forms and submit those along with supporting documents, such as invoices, to TBL and, thereafter, make payment for approval before obtaining the certificate.

Additionally, Mr. Williams says prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, recipient countries stipulated that the physical certificate be forwarded for verification and processing prior to the importer being approved for clearance, while accessing preferential tariff rates.

“So, the process, especially for persons living outside of Kingston who needed to obtain the requisite COO, would have been quite challenging,” he indicates.

Mr. Williams, who is also the JCA’s Chief Information Officer (CIO), points out that following the onset of COVID-19, recipient countries indicated a willingness to accept digital documentation.

This served as a precursor to the overall exercise to revamp the COO manual procedure, in terms of expediting the paperwork and, by extension, the movement of export shipments.

“Since no physical movement is involved in the new process, in less than a day, a client can complete the application form and secure approval for the certificate from the convenience of their home or office. They can do so using their computer, tablet or any other mobile device,” he adds.

Mr. Williams tells JIS News that upon approval, the applicant will immediately have access to and can download the PDF copy of the certificate.

This document, he further informs, can then be sent directly to the recipient country.

“So, it’s a complete service that is being made available, and at the applicant’s convenience,” Mr. Williams advises.

He says in preparation for the August 23 roll-out of the new process, the JSWIFT Project Team has been facilitating a series of stakeholder training sessions, in addition to initiating a pilot, now underway, which commenced on June 22.

Persons already participating include TBL officers, who will be integrally involved in administering the service, as well as exporters and their Customs Brokers.

Mr. Williams says the training sessions, which started in July, and are continuing throughout August, have been successful, so far.

He tells JIS News that stakeholders desirous of participating can register on the JCA’s e-learning platform – www.learning.jswift.gov.jm, which affords them access to all the relevant material.

Additionally, he says persons who may only want to view video presentations can do so on YouTube at learningjswift.

“We’ve made the necessary content available in as many formats as is possible, to ensure persons have a suite of options from which to choose,” he tells JIS News.

Mr. Williams further advises that the client relations support team is available to assist persons encountering challenges with the facility.

“So anyone who wants additional information about how to use this service, how to register or who may have any other questions [or] concerns, may contact us at support@jswift.gov.jm or info@jswift.gov.jm ,” he shares.

Mr. Williams says the stakeholder feedback has, to date, been positive, noting that several business interests, particularly those outside Kingston, are elated that the service is now fully digitised.

Additionally, he says stakeholders already using it have indicated that it is very convenient.

“We are doing everything to ensure that all is in place so that when utilisation of the system becomes mandatory, everything will go well,” Mr. Williams states.