How to Ship a Car to Jamaica from the US

Cars sail to Jamaica by roll-on/roll-off (the car is driven onto the ship) or inside a container — alone, or shared with your barrels. Florida sailings are frequent; the car lands in Kingston (or Montego Bay on some services).

The rule that stops cars at the port

Jamaica restricts the age of imported used cars, and an import licence from the Trade Board is required before the car arrives — a car that lands without its papers in order sits at the port gathering storage while the paperwork chases it. Confirm the current age limit and licence steps with the shipping company before you buy the car, not after.

Papers

• Title in your name, or a notarized letter from the title holder.
• Your photo ID and the receiver's Jamaican tax number (TRN).
• The bill of lading from the shipping company — the document your receiver clears with.

Duty and GCT on cars in Jamaica are substantial and are calculated on customs' value of the car, not on what you paid your cousin for it. Ask the company for a written estimate of the full arrival cost before the car sails.