Come home as a returning resident

Moving back to Jamaica to live? You can bring your household and personal goods with less duty, one time only.

✓ Links tested 24 Oct 2026 · Facts checked 24 Oct 2026

Opens the official government site.

Who can do this

Jamaicans 18 and over who lived overseas for the last 3 years in a row and are coming home for good. Some students, spouses and deportees also qualify. A couple counts as one family.

What you need

Jamaican passport, or a foreign passport with an unconditional landing stamp
TRN
Bill of Lading or Airway Bill for your goods
Last 3 years of overseas tax returns and a tax transcript
A letter from your last employer showing how long you worked there
Pension papers, if you have them
Proof of your address in Jamaica

Tick things off as you gather them.

Steps

Check that you qualify.
Fill in the online application and booking form from the Customs Returning Residents page.
Gather all your documents.
Hand them in at the Returning Residents Unit in Kingston or Montego Bay, and attend your interview.
Once approved, claim your goods within 6 months.
Bringing a car? Get an import licence from Trade Board first. The car must be 10 years old or newer, and full duty is paid on it.
Bringing pets or plants? Get a permit from the Ministry of Agriculture first.

Cost

No application fee is listed. Cars pay full duty and taxes.

How long

Claim within 6 months of approval.

Can’t go online?

Returning Residents Unit, Customs, Myers’ Wharf, Kingston 15: 876-750-3005. Montego Bay Revenue Service Centre, 18B Howard Cooke Blvd: 876-952-0000.

Part of

🌍 Living overseas or coming home

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