flag Jamaica Jamaica: Trade Profile

Foreign Trade in Figures

Jamaica is open to foreign trade, which represents 73% of its GDP (World Bank, latest data available). The country is a member of Caricom and WTO. Current negotiations and commercial issues affecting Jamaica include greater Caribbean integration, post-Cotonou negotiations and Jamaican relations with the U.S. In 2021, the country’s main exports were petroleum oils (29.1%), corundum (27.7%) and aluminium ores and concentrates (5% as Jamaica accounts for around 10% of the world’s production of bauxite and 8% of the world’s production of aluminium), and undenatured ethyl alcohol (4.5%); whereas imports are led by petroleum oils (20.9%), petroleum gas (4.8%), cars (4.6%) and medicaments (2.5% - Comtrade).

Jamaica’s main export partners are the United States (50.7%), the Netherlands (10.2%), Canada (6.8%), the UK (4.4%), and Russia (3.1%); while its main imports partners are the United States (40.8%), Brazil (8.6%), China (7.8%), Japan (3.5%), and Turkey (3.2% - data Comtrade 2021). Jamaica was one of nine Caribbean countries that signed an agreement with the U.K. to maintain commercial relations after Brexit. The country has liberalized its trade to boost its economy. Jamaica and other countries participating in the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) have harmonized their import tariffs applied to third countries. Nevertheless, import duties on some agricultural products and certain consumer goods remain high in order to protect local producers. Some tax exemptions have also been eliminated and the country benefits from certain assets, such as its marine harbours, seaports and high-quality transportation infrastructure, as well as uncomplicated custom regulations.

The foreign trade balance is structurally negative; however, the current account deficit had been gradually improving in recent years, especially due to the contraction of imports. According to WTO, in 2021, the country’s exports of goods were valued at USD 1.4 billion (+18.2% year-on-year) while imports stood at USD 5.9 billion (+26.8% y-o-y). With regard to services, exports amounted to USD 3 billion (+41.9% y-o-y), with imports totalling USD 2.5 billion (+52.6% y-o-y), making Jamaica a net service exporter. Data from the World Bank show that in 2021 the country’s trade balance was negative by 18.2% of GDP (from 17.7% one year earlier). According to preliminary figures from the National Institute of Statistics, Jamaica’s total spending on imports increased by 25.4% in 2021 (to USD 5,975.6 million), whereas earnings from domestic exports rose by 10.0% (to USD 1,281.3 million). In the same period, the main import partners were the United States of America, Brazil, China, Japan and Turkey (63.3% of total imports cumulatively); with exports being directed mostly towards the U.S., Puerto Rico, the Russian Federation, Canada and the United Kingdom.

 
Foreign Trade Indicators 20182019202020212022
Imports of Goods (million USD) 6,1716,3894,7655,9717,731
Exports of Goods (million USD) 1,9611,6511,2511,4811,901
Imports of Services (million USD) 2,4062,6241,7143,1433,217
Exports of Services (million USD) 3,8304,3781,9992,9204,522
Imports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change) 64-271212
Exports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change) 84-302615
Trade Balance (million USD) -3,515-4,031-2,949-2,782-4,608
Foreign Trade (in % of GDP) 9090667373
Imports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP) 5152424645
Exports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP) 3938242828

Source: WTO – World Trade Organisation ; World Bank - Latest available data.

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Main Partner Countries

Main Customers
(% of Exports)
2022
United States 60.7%
United Kingdom 4.1%
Canada 4.0%
Iceland 2.3%
Latvia 1.7%
See More Countries 27.1%
Main Suppliers
(% of Imports)
2022
United States 41.7%
China 7.4%
Brazil 6.8%
Trinidad and Tobago 5.7%
Japan 3.1%
See More Countries 35.3%

Source: Comtrade, Latest Available Data

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Main Products

1.9 bn USD of products exported in 2022
Petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous...Petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals (excl. crude); preparations containing >= 70% by weight of petroleum oils or of oils obtained from bituminous minerals, these oils being the basic constituents of the preparations, n.e.s.; waste oils containing mainly petroleum or bituminous minerals 37.6%
Petroleum gas and other gaseous hydrocarbonsPetroleum gas and other gaseous hydrocarbons 16.5%
Artificial corundum, whether or not chemically...Artificial corundum, whether or not chemically defined; aluminium oxide; aluminium hydroxide 13.1%
Aluminium ores and concentratesAluminium ores and concentrates 4.0%
Undenatured ethyl alcohol of an alcoholic strength...Undenatured ethyl alcohol of an alcoholic strength of < 80%; spirits, liqueurs and other spirituous beverages (excl. compound alcoholic preparations of a kind used for the manufacture of beverages) 3.3%
See More Products 25.4%
7.7 bn USD of products imported in 2022
Petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous...Petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals (excl. crude); preparations containing >= 70% by weight of petroleum oils or of oils obtained from bituminous minerals, these oils being the basic constituents of the preparations, n.e.s.; waste oils containing mainly petroleum or bituminous minerals 14.9%
Petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous...Petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, crude 9.4%
Petroleum gas and other gaseous hydrocarbonsPetroleum gas and other gaseous hydrocarbons 6.2%
Motor cars and other motor vehicles principally...Motor cars and other motor vehicles principally designed for the transport of persons, incl. station wagons and racing cars (excl. motor vehicles of heading 8702) 3.9%
Medicaments consisting of mixed or unmixed...Medicaments consisting of mixed or unmixed products for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, put up in measured doses "incl. those in the form of transdermal administration" or in forms or packings for retail sale (excl. goods of heading 3002, 3005 or 3006) 2.2%
See More Products 63.4%

Source: Comtrade, Latest Available Data

 

To go further, check out our service Import controls and Export controls

To go further, check out our service Import Export Flows

 
 

Main Services

Source: United Nations Statistics Division, Latest Available Data

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List of tariffs and local taxes that apply to your product on our service Customs duties

 

Trade Compliance

International Conventions
Member of the World Trade Organization (WTO)
International Economic Cooperation
Member of Caribbean Community (CARICOM)

Member of Free Trade area of America

Useful Resources
Jamaica Customs
National Organisation of Intellectual Property
The Jamaica Intellectual Property Office (JIPO).
 
 
 

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Latest Update: November 2023

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