1. Jamaica’s Experience Sean Taylor Director, Valuation
Customs Cooperation
Jamaica’s Experience
Sean Taylor
Director, Valuation

2. Customs Cooperation
Customs Cooperation is a cornerstone of the Jamaica Customs vision “to be a world class organization that facilitates trade, protects our borders, and promotes economic growth, consistent with national policies on trade and development.”
The two most critical benefits that cooperation brings are specialized knowledge (training) and intelligence (information sharing), which are especially important from a border control and compliance perspective.

3. International Partners
Caribbean Customs Law Enforcement Council (CCLEC)
INTERPOL
U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
U.K. Serious Organized Crime Agency (SOCA)
Jamaica Customs has undertaken a number of initiatives with our partners that maximize information sharing in conjunction with a coordinated approach to achieve our mandate.
The Caribbean Customs Law Enforcement Council (CCLEC) is a multilateral regional organization dedicated to improving the overall professionalism of its members.
The CCLEC was established in the early 1970s as an informal association of Customs administrations within the Caribbean region. The principal objectives of the Council in these early years were the exchange of information on smuggling and helping the smaller regional administrations adjust to the new threat of organized drug trafficking through the region. This has now being expanded to include training.
Interpol: the International Criminal Police Organization the world’s largest police organization comprises 190 members. Jamaica has been a Member since August 21, Intelligence is shared between INTERPOL and Jamaica Customs and training is provided
 SOCA is a Executive Non Departmental Public Body of the Home Office. Jamaica Customs shares intelligence with SOCA.
We are currently negotiating a mutual administrative assistance agreement in customs matters with the US. However, this is still in draft stage and is being reviewed by the Jamaica Customs legal office. There is also a protocol on information sharing with the US Embassy DEA-ICE

4. Local Partners Transnational Crime and Narcotics Division
Jamaica Defence Force
Bureau of Standards
Ministry of Health
Tax Adminstration Jamaica
Passport Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA)
In order to promote trade facilitation and secure our borders we also have to work with our local partners some of whom are identified. The interaction with a number of local agencies is aimed at sharing information and enforcing the relevant trade related legislation. Jamaica Customs is automated and efforts are underway to share information electronically with other government agencies. In an effort to achieve a coordinated border management approach, there is a Jamaica Import/Export Inspection Centre at our port in Kingston. This center is called a One Stop Shop and houses Customs, Agriculture, Veterinary Services, Bureau of Standards, Health and Industry and Commerce. This means a single location is provided for traders to deal with all agencies and departments with respect to import and export requirements, permits, and inspections. The one stop shop underlies the commitment to simplify requirements and facilitate trade.

5. Customs Cooperation in Context
Globally Networked Customs
Bilateral Treaties
The WCO (GNC) concept is a standardized way for customs administrations to share information, including data obtained from commercial sources. Jamaica would endorse this arrangement as this would assist our Valuation, Compliance and Enforcement units. This concept requires national laws which allow for the exchange of information and which protects that information shared with other parties.
The Mutual Assistance (Criminal Matters) Act, 1997 is the legal basis on which mutual legal assistance with Jamaica is conducted. There are a number of bilateral treaties which could be mentioned :
Argentina
Convention with Jamaica on the Trafficking of Narcotics, Law ,     
Canada
Treaty Between the Government or Jamaica and the Government of Canada on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters   (in the process of ratification)
Chile
Acuerdo con Jamaica sobre Prevención, Control, Fiscalización y Represión del Consumo Indebido y Tráfico Ilícito de Estupefacientes y Sustancias Psicotrópicas y sus Precursores y Productos Químicos Especificos   
Costa Rica
Acuerdo entre el Gobierno de Costa Rica, y el Gobierno de Jamaica para combatir el narcotráfico y la farmacodependencia, Ley no del 08 de marzo de 2002   
United States
Treaty Between the Government of Jamaica and the Government of the United States of America on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters