JSWIFT a game-changer for car importers, says Hamilton
Published:Tuesday | July 21, 2020 | 12:07 AMPaul Clarke/Gleaner Writer
The Jamaica Single Window for Trade (JSWIFT) facility that became operational on Monday has been touted as a game-changer in the vehicle importation industry.
Importers applying for permits from the Trade Board must now use the new system, which is designed to improve trade efficiency.
Lynvalle Hamilton, president of the Used Car Dealers Association, said that his members have welcomed the new system and that early feedback suggests that, like Asycuda World that has been credited for increased efficiency at Jamaica Customs, it will become the standard in the used-car import sector.
“We first started using the new system Monday and so far we have not had any reports of issues with it. Maybe it is a little too early to comment on that aspect, but I can say that by next week, we would have had enough time with it to comment (further),” said Hamilton.
“But for what we were told, it will eliminate the red tape that we have to jump through when trying to get business done, as it is said to be an effective system that is not easy to manipulate.”
The Trade Board will cease accepting new applications as part of the phased digitisation of State Border Regulatory Agencies, facilitating import- and export-related engagements under the JSWIFT initiative.
JSWIFT Project Manager André Williams said that the new system is geared towards streamlining and enhancing services.
“So, where permits have to be obtained prior to the importation or exportation of items requiring a permit from (the Trade Board) … that service will be subsumed into the single window,” Williams told state news agency, the Jamaica Information Service, recently.
JSWIFT serves as an electronic platform that allows traders to submit transactional information through a single access point. The portal provides services to support the regulatory requirements for cross-border trade in Jamaica.
Traders will electronically submit applications for licences, permits, certificates and other regulatory requirements to facilitate processing by requisite cross-border regulatory agencies and participating government agencies. Traders receive real-time notifications on their applications throughout the process.
Traders can access the portal via any reliable web browser.
Executive administrative assistant at Superlative Auto, located at Portmore Pines, St Catherine, Leah Estick, said that JSWIFT would bring real value to the process of importation of vehicles.
“It is new, but I think it will make our purchases and payment a whole lot less complicated. Long term, it could be of real value to the sector. Having gone through the training, I formed the opinion that it is versatile as it gives us more options and makes the recovery of documents much easier,” Estick said.
“In addition, it cuts out the middleman, and that I believe is a good thing for importers going forward.”
Trescot Buchanan, owner and manager of Mona Motors Limited, said that he is balancing expectations with what is promised.
“It is a tidying up of the process that we have longed complained about, as this system will modernise the process, making it simpler, for example, the long waiting process, while at the same time placing a lot more options at our fingertips,” he said.