Gov't extends relief from import duties and GCT for Hurricane Melissa donations to January 15

The Ministry of Finance and the Public Service has announced a two-week extension for the relief from import duties and General Consumption Tax (GCT) on selected items donated in response to Hurricane Melissa. The new deadline is January 15, 2026.

The extension follows the original announcement of October 30, which outlined relief measures for customs duty and GCT on a specified list of items.

In explaining the extension, the the ministry acknowledged that the Christmas season and intervening holidays constrained the capacity of shippers, freight forwarders, brokers, and ports.

"As a result, some donors may not have had their donations arrive on or before December 31, 2025, which is the cut-off date for relief of import duty and GCT upon importation of selected items. As such, the Government of Jamaica is extending the period to January 15, 2026. This date will be a hard stop," a statement said.

The decline in customs tax revenues is estimated at approximately $12 billion, it added.

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The government warned that the relief period would not be extended further and urged those sending items to use normal import channels moving forward, as Jamaica transitions from the relief phase to recovery and reconstruction.

Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica on October 28, killing at least 45 persons and leaving more than US$8.8 billion in physical damage.