WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/VAL/24
3 April 2000
(00-1329)
JAMAICA - AGREEMENT ON IMPLEMENTATION OF
ARTICLE VII OF THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE 1994
Decision
The following Decision concerning the reservation by Jamaica under paragraph 1 of
Annex III of the Agreement on Customs Valuation was adopted by the Committee on16 March 2000.
1
_______________
TAKING NOTE of the Government of Jamaica’s request under Paragraph 1 of Annex III of
the Agreement on Implementation of Article VII of  the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994
(“WTO Agreement on Customs Valuation”) done at Marrakesh on 15 April 1994, to extend its delay
in the application of the provisions of that Agreement;
RECOGNIZING that on 9 March 1995, Jamaica became a contracting party to the WTO
Agreement on Customs Valuation and invoked paragra ph 1 of Article 20 of that Agreement to delay
application of its provisions for a period of five years from the date of entry into force of the
Agreement on 9 March 1995, and was therefore scheduled  to apply the provisions of that Agreement
by 9 March 2000;
NOTING that Jamaica notified the WTO on 28 April 1995 its intention to delay the
application of paragraph 2(b)(iii) of Article 1 and Article 6 for a period not exceeding three years
following the application of all other provisions of the WTO Agreement on Customs Valuation, as
provided by Article 20:2 of the WTO Agreement on Customs Valuation;
NOTING that Jamaica notified the WTO on 28 April 1995 its reservation under paragraphs 3
and 4 of Annex III of the WTO Agreement on Customs Valuation;
CONSIDERING that Jamaica has made substantial efforts to implement the provisions of the
WTO Agreement on Customs Valuation;
CONSIDERING also that Jamaica has received technical assistance and has a continuing
interest in taking advantage of  technical assistance in support of implementation and application of
the WTO Agreement on Customs Valuation;
NOTING Jamaica’s long-standing commitment and considerable efforts in reforming and
modernizing its customs administration;
NOTING also Jamaica’s objective of ensuring the effective implementation and
administration of the WTO Agreement on Customs Valuation;
                                                     
1 See document G/VAL/M/13.G/VAL/24
Page 2
NOTING that Jamaica’s authorities have established a detailed work programme2, involving
the relevant ministries and agency, to enable the elaboration and approval of its legislation and the
completion of its domestic administrative and legal procedures, including training, dissemination of
information, and other actions, for implementing and applying the WTO Agreement on Customs
Valuation;
NOTING that Jamaica will limit the application of minimum values for customs valuation
purposes during this requested extension in the delay of its application of the WTO Agreement on
Customs Valuation to the products identified in Annex II;
NOTING further that such minimum values will be used for the purposes of addressing
incidences of fraudulent invoicing in the case of the agricultural products and the absence of invoicesand other undervaluation problems in the case of the used products identified in Annex II while
Jamaica develops proficiency in risk management and verification;
NOTING  that the Government of Jamaica will implement and apply by 30 September 2000
Paragraph 2 of the Decision on the Valuation of Carrier Media Bearing Software for Data ProcessingEquipment
3;
NOTING, that the Government of Jamaica does not use or plan to use preshipment inspection
services for purposes of customs valuation;
RECOGNIZING Jamaica’s indication that this would be a single request for an extension to
delay its implementation of the WTO Agreement on Customs Valuation;
Members, acting pursuant to the provisions of paragraph 1 of Annex III of the WTO
Agreement on Customs Valuation,
DECIDE, in view of the exceptional circumstances set out above, that:
1. Subject to the terms and conditions set out hereunder, Jamaica may delay further the
application of the provisions of the WTO Agreement on Customs Valuation for a period not
extending beyond 9 March 2001.
2. The Government of Jamaica shall report to the Committee on Customs Valuation by 31
October 2000 on the progress in fulfilling the work program in Annex I and the status of its
implementation of the WTO Agreement on Customs Valuation under the terms and
conditions of this Decision.
3. The Government of Jamaica will, by May 1, 2000, notify the Committee on Customs
Valuation on the basis, criteria and other relevant information for determining the minimum
values for the products listed in Annex II.  Such minimum values shall be made available,
upon request, to other Members of the Committee on Customs Valuation.
4. The Government of Jamaica will notify th e Committee on Customs Valuation of any
amendments or changes to the basis, criteria and other relevant information 60 days before
implementing such changes, and will not appl y such changes to importations entering its
customs territory prior to the completion of this 60 day notification period.
                                                     
2Annex I – Work Programme.
3G/VAL/5.G/VAL/24
Page 3
5. This Decision shall not prejudice the rights and obligations of Jamaica under the WTO
Agreements, in particular those rights and obligations under the WTO Agreement on Customs
ValuationG/VAL/24
Page 4  ANNEX I
2000 2001
Activities Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar A. REMARKS
Passage of Legislation 5th Draft Bill expected 25th
February
Preparation of Admin.
Procedures4Completion dependent onpassage of legislation.
II. TRAINING
Training of Trainers Training in Sept to
incorporate final
legislation
Training of other staff
Training of auditors
Training of customs brokers
Provisions of Infra-structure
(Space, Furniture, Computers)
Establishment of Valuation
Division
Preparation of structure Draft completed
Preparation of job descriptions In progress
Approval of structure and
classification of staff
                                                     
4 These are procedures which will inform both the customs and the public on how the new system will work.  These procedures will  provide:  a step by step guide of the new
system;  identification of the sections of the new Legislation, Regulation and Interpretative and Explanatory Notes that are re levant to various circumstances;  guidance to the officers
concerning areas requiring diligence;  examples of documentary ev idence required;  identification of areas of responsibility;  and all other instructions as are necessary for
implementation.G/VAL/24
Page 5Activities Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Remarks
Recruitment/appointment
Establishment of database
computerized
Identification of funding
Identification of package
Preparation of high-risk list
Updating of list of related
parties
Design of computer linkages
Installation of package
Establishment of interim data-base
Review of in-house data
Identification of data sources
Preparation of card system
Publicity Campaign
Implementation –9th March, 2001G/VAL/24
Page 6
ANNEX II
MINIMUM VALUES
Product Description HS Tariff Code
Chicken Leg Quarters 0207
Fresh Vegetables 0701 to 0714
Fresh Fruit 0801 to 0810
Used Motor Vehicles Ex 8701 to Ex 8705Used Chassis and Bodies Ex 8706 and Ex 8707Used Motor Cycles Ex 8711Used Equipment Ex 8426, Ex 8427, Ex 8429 and Ex 8430
__________