flag Jamaica Jamaica: Trade Profile

Foreign Trade in Figures

Jamaica is open to foreign trade, which represents 90% of its GDP (World Bank, latest data available). The country is a member of CARICOM and WTO. Jamaica’s main imports include food and other consumer goods, industrial supplies, fuel, parts and accessories for capital goods, machinery, transport equipment, and construction materials. The country is also a leading global exporter of bauxite and alumina. Jamaica’s main imports consist of food and other consumer goods, industrial supplies, fuel, parts and accessories for capital goods, machinery, transport equipment, and construction materials (data from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade).

According to data from the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN), in 2024, Jamaica’s main trading partners were the United States, China, Brazil, Japan, and Colombia. The top export destinations were the United States, the Russian Federation, the Netherlands, Canada, and Iceland. Imports under the USMCA fell by 7.9% to USD 3,106.1 million, while imports from CARICOM declined by 5.1% to USD 413.0 million. In contrast, imports from the European Union rose slightly by 0.2% to USD 590.4 million. Jamaica and other countries participating in the CARICOM Single Market and Economy have harmonised their import tariffs applied to third countries. Nevertheless, import duties on some agricultural products and certain consumer goods remain high to protect local producers. Some tax exemptions have also been eliminated, and the country benefits from certain assets, such as its marine harbours, seaports, high-quality transportation infrastructure, and uncomplicated customs regulations.

The foreign trade balance is structurally negative. According to STATIN, Jamaica’s trade deficit at the end of 2024 declined by 3.0% to USD 5,420.8 million, compared to USD 5,590.3 million in 2023. Total import spending for the year amounted to USD 7,288.0 million, down 4.0% from USD 7,592.0 million in 2023. Export earnings totalled USD 1,867.2 million, a 6.7% decrease from the USD 2,001.8 million recorded in the previous year. This drop was mainly due to a 62.9% decline in the value of re-exports. Meanwhile, domestic exports grew by 11.0% compared to the same period in 2023.

 
Foreign Trade Indicators 20202021202220232024
Imports of Goods (million USD) 4,7655,9717,7317,5927,321
Exports of Goods (million USD) 1,2511,4811,9012,0021,928
Imports of Services (million USD) 1,6533,0813,1553,4033,396
Exports of Services (million USD) 1,9672,8894,4915,2425,225
Trade Balance (million USD) -2,949-2,782-4,608-4,400-4,199

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

Return to top

Main Partner Countries

Main Customers
(% of Exports)
2023
United States 50.5%
Latvia 6.5%
Iceland 4.7%
United Kingdom 3.4%
Netherlands 2.9%
See More Countries 31.8%
Main Suppliers
(% of Imports)
2023
United States 41.3%
China 8.0%
Brazil 4.8%
Japan 3.8%
Colombia 3.7%
See More Countries 38.3%

Source: Comtrade, Latest Available Data

Return to top

 

Main Products

2.0 bn USD of products exported in 2023
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 31.3%
Artificial corundum, whether or not chemically...Artificial corundum, whether or not chemically defined; aluminium oxide; aluminium hydroxide 24.2%
Petroleum gas and other gaseous hydrocarbonsPetroleum gas and other gaseous hydrocarbons 12.0%
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) 3.5%
Aluminium ores and concentratesAluminium ores and concentrates 3.4%
See More Products 25.7%
7.6 bn USD of products imported in 2023
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 14.2%
Petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous...Petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, crude 6.4%
Petroleum gas and other gaseous hydrocarbonsPetroleum gas and other gaseous hydrocarbons 6.0%
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) 5.5%
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) 2.4%
See More Products 65.5%

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

Return to top

 

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).
 
 
 

Return to top

Any Comment About This Content? Report It to Us.

 

© eexpand, All Rights Reserved.
Latest Update: October 2025