Government navigator
The form, the cost, the time it takes, who to call — and what members who have done it wish they had known. Fees are starting points; confirm with the agency before you go.
What do you want to do?
Agriculture
Register as a farmer with RADA
A RADA farmer ID is the key to agricultural grants, duty-free inputs, the Praedial Larceny receipt book, and selling to hotels and agro-processors.
A RADA farmer ID is the key to agricultural grants, duty-free inputs, the Praedial Larceny receipt book, and selling to hotels and agro-processors.
Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA)
Cattle tags and animal identification (NAITS)
All cattle must be tagged and registered under the national animal identification and traceability system; it is the main defence against praedial larceny.
All cattle must be tagged and registered under the national animal identification and traceability system; it is the main defence against praedial larceny.
Ministry of Agriculture — Veterinary Services Division / RADA
Finance & grants
Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ) MSME loans
DBJ lends through approved financial institutions — credit unions and banks — at rates lower than ordinary commercial credit.
DBJ lends through approved financial institutions — credit unions and banks — at rates lower than ordinary commercial credit.
Development Bank of Jamaica
EXIM Bank financing for exporters and producers
EXIM finances working capital, equipment and trade for businesses that export or supply the tourism and manufacturing sectors.
EXIM finances working capital, equipment and trade for businesses that export or supply the tourism and manufacturing sectors.
National Export-Import Bank of Jamaica
JBDC business support, training and the Accelerator
JBDC offers free and low-cost business coaching, product development, incubator space and access-to-market programmes for MSMEs.
JBDC offers free and low-cost business coaching, product development, incubator space and access-to-market programmes for MSMEs.
Jamaica Business Development Corporation
GOJ MSME Business Relief (Hurricane Melissa)
The Government of Jamaica relief programme for MSMEs affected by Hurricane Melissa. The Chamber facilitates applications; funds are administered by the Ministry.
The Government of Jamaica relief programme for MSMEs affected by Hurricane Melissa. The Chamber facilitates applications; funds are administered by the Ministry.
Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce
Getting started
Get a Taxpayer Registration Number (TRN)
Every business and sole trader needs a TRN before anything else — banking, GCT, contracts and government programmes all ask for it.
Every business and sole trader needs a TRN before anything else — banking, GCT, contracts and government programmes all ask for it.
Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ)
Register a business name or sole proprietorship
Trading under any name other than your own requires registration with the Companies Office.
Trading under any name other than your own requires registration with the Companies Office.
Companies Office of Jamaica (COJ)
Incorporate a limited company
A limited company separates your personal assets from the business and is what most lenders, tenders and larger customers expect.
A limited company separates your personal assets from the business and is what most lenders, tenders and larger customers expect.
Companies Office of Jamaica (COJ)
People & skills
Permits & licences
Municipal trade licence and signage approval
Most retail, food and service premises in the parish need a trade licence from the Municipal Corporation, renewed annually.
Most retail, food and service premises in the parish need a trade licence from the Municipal Corporation, renewed annually.
Westmoreland Municipal Corporation
Spirit licence (selling alcohol) — bars, shops, restaurants
Selling rum, beer or any spirits by retail requires a spirit licence granted at the quarterly Spirit Licence Sessions, renewed every year.
Selling rum, beer or any spirits by retail requires a spirit licence granted at the quarterly Spirit Licence Sessions, renewed every year.
Westmoreland Spirit Licence Authority (Resident Magistrate’s Court)
Food handler’s permit and public health inspection
Anyone preparing or serving food needs a food handler’s permit, and the premises need a public health certificate.
Anyone preparing or serving food needs a food handler’s permit, and the premises need a public health certificate.
Westmoreland Health Department
Food handler’s permits for every employee
Each person who handles food — cooks, servers, bar staff, packers — needs their own permit; the owner’s permit does not cover staff.
Each person who handles food — cooks, servers, bar staff, packers — needs their own permit; the owner’s permit does not cover staff.
Westmoreland Health Department
Barber, hairdresser, nail and beauty salon registration
Salons and barbershops need a Public Health inspection and certificate, and the operators need a trade licence from the Municipal Corporation.
Salons and barbershops need a Public Health inspection and certificate, and the operators need a trade licence from the Municipal Corporation.
Westmoreland Health Department / Municipal Corporation
Vending and street-trading permit
Selling from a stall, cart, roadside or at the Savanna-la-Mar market requires a vendor’s permit or market stall allocation from the Municipal Corporation.
Selling from a stall, cart, roadside or at the Savanna-la-Mar market requires a vendor’s permit or market stall allocation from the Municipal Corporation.
Westmoreland Municipal Corporation
Butcher’s licence and meat shop approval
Slaughtering, cutting or selling meat requires a butcher’s licence, a Public Health-approved shop, and animals slaughtered at an approved abattoir with inspection.
Slaughtering, cutting or selling meat requires a butcher’s licence, a Public Health-approved shop, and animals slaughtered at an approved abattoir with inspection.
Westmoreland Municipal Corporation / Veterinary Services Division
Permits for a public event, party or fete
A public event with music, admission or alcohol needs an amusement permit from the Municipal Corporation, a police permit, and usually a special spirit licence and music licence.
A public event with music, admission or alcohol needs an amusement permit from the Municipal Corporation, a police permit, and usually a special spirit licence and music licence.
Westmoreland Municipal Corporation / Jamaica Constabulary Force
Music licence for playing music in a business (JACAP / JAMMS)
Bars, restaurants, shops, salons and events that play recorded or live music must hold licences from the two collecting societies.
Bars, restaurants, shops, salons and events that play recorded or live music must hold licences from the two collecting societies.
JACAP and JAMMS
Selling to Government
Tax & compliance
Register for General Consumption Tax (GCT)
Businesses above the turnover threshold must register for GCT and file monthly; registering voluntarily lets you reclaim input tax.
Businesses above the turnover threshold must register for GCT and file monthly; registering voluntarily lets you reclaim input tax.
Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ)
Register employees for NIS, NHT, Education Tax and HEART
Hiring your first worker means registering as an employer and deducting statutory contributions every month.
Hiring your first worker means registering as an employer and deducting statutory contributions every month.
NIS / TAJ
Data Protection Act compliance
Any business that keeps customer or staff records must register as a data controller and follow the Data Protection Act.
Any business that keeps customer or staff records must register as a data controller and follow the Data Protection Act.
Office of the Information Commissioner
Still not sure where to go? Email the Secretariat or ask at the next general meeting — no question is too small.