Trade Act

The Trade Board Limited, an agency of the Ministry, is a regulatory agency of the Government of Jamaica which operates in accordance with the Trade Act. The Trade Board Limited has responsibility for:

• issuing import and export licences for specific items that impact negatively on the environmental, social and economic conditions of the country, in keeping with the international obligations under the WTO Agreement for import licensing.
• issuing certificates of origin for Jamaican exports under various Preferential Trade Agreements.
• monitoring import and export of specified commodities as required by the Ministry.
• establishing and operating a Certifying Authority for issuing Digital Certificates and regulating Certification Service Providers – Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) Programme.
• being the catalyst to facilitate commerce through interfaces with a wide range of organizations including Embassies, Ministries and Agencies of Government and private sector organizations.
• ensuring that Jamaica meets its international obligations under the following:
• World Trade Organisation (WTO) Agreement on Rules of Origin
• WTO Agreement on Import Licensing.

Amendment of the Trade Act is currently being pursued by the Ministry. This proposed amendment seeks to change the function and name of the Trade Board. Changes should reflect the Trade Board as the Certifying Authority administering the Trade (Certificates of Origin) Regulations under the Trade Act. Amendments to the Trade Act are being undertaken, bearing in mind the recently enacted Consumer Protection Legislation.

The mission of the Trade Board is to stimulate a modern commercial environment by:

• Enhancing the operations of the business community at large by providing facilitation and regulatory services to meet the provisions of Government’s import and export policies; the major focal points of our operations are licensing of selected imports/exports, certifying motor vehicle dealers and manufacturing processes as well as country of origin verification;
• Informing the business community and prospective entrepreneurs of the facilities available under the various Trade Agreements;
• Providing a PKI which will protect the identity of clients who conduct e-Business.

The Commerce Division of the Ministry has responsibility for administration of the Trade Act, as well as the activities of the Trade Board.