Above: Jamaica (CJ Photo)
By the Caribbean Journal staff
Jamaica’s government is working to encourage more yachts to register in the country, the government said recently.
The country’s cabinet has approved a single prescribed annual fee that would replace the existing customs duty, customs user fee, environment levy and general consumption tax charges on yachts registered in Jamaica.
“It will also enhance the competitiveness of the Jamaican Shipping Registry by encouraging the registration of pleasure crafts and facilitating home porting in Jamaica,” said Information Minister Sandrea Falconer.
Right now, only about 8 percent of the 100 yachts berthed in Jamaica are registered in the country, she said.
Under the revised programme, yachts that are shorter than 25 feet would not have to pay registration of safety inspection fees for the first two years after being landed in Jamaica, she said.