# Jamaica: Tariffs, Trade & U.S. Exposure

Jamaica: America imported $379M in goods from Jamaica in 2025 (+4.5% in one year) and sold it $2.6B; the latest U.S. tariff action toward it (2026-04-06) is "Section 232 metals coverage expanded", in effect; it ships 8 essential goods finished to American shelves (as of 2026-11-04).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/countries/jm
- As of: 2026-11-04
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Country code: JM
- Region: Central America N Caribbean
- Capital: Kingston
- Government: parliamentary democracy (Parliament) under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm
- Population: 3M
- GDP: $19.9B
- U.S. imports from Jamaica, 2025: $379M
- Change in imports in one year: +4.5%
- U.S. imports 2026 through August: $226M
- U.S. exports to Jamaica, 2025: $2.6B
- Trade data source: U.S. Census Bureau, International Trade in Goods (customs basis)
- Tariff treatment: universal baseline, no country-specific action
- Reciprocal tariff (universal baseline): 10%
- Section 301: no
- Tariff status verified: 2026-06-13
- Latest tariff action: 2026-04-06: Section 232 metals coverage expanded (in effect)
- Essential goods shipped finished to the U.S.: 8
- Supply-map inputs and goods: 4 inputs feeding 2 essential American goods
- Coverage: data

## What you buy that Jamaica makes: U.S. imports, 2025

| Category | What it is | Value | Share |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Chemicals-inorganic |   | $99M | 26.1% |
| Other foods |   | $56M | 14.7% |
| Vegetables | vegetables | $41M | 10.9% |
| Bauxite and aluminum | aluminum for cans and autos | $40M | 10.6% |
| Alcoholic beverages, excluding wine | spirits and liquor | $28M | 7.4% |
| Bakery products |   | $19M | 5.1% |
| Wine, beer, and related products | wine and beer | $18M | 4.8% |
| Fruits, frozen juices | fruit and frozen juices | $15M | 3.9% |
| U.s. goods returned, and reimports |   | $12M | 3.2% |
| Dairy products and eggs | dairy and eggs | $7M | 1.9% |

2026 so far (through August): $226M in imports. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, International Trade in Goods (customs basis).

## What America sells to Jamaica: U.S. exports, 2025

| Category | What it is | Value | Share |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Petroleum products, other |   | $503M | 19.1% |
| Fuel oil |   | $258M | 9.8% |
| Minimum value shipments |   | $112M | 4.3% |
| Other foods |   | $110M | 4.2% |
| Coal and fuels, other |   | $91M | 3.5% |
| Gas-natural |   | $91M | 3.4% |
| Chemicals-inorganic |   | $85M | 3.2% |
| Corn |   | $65M | 2.4% |
| Agric. farming-unmanufactured |   | $54M | 2% |

## U.S. tariff posture toward Jamaica

No U.S. tariff action singles this country out. Its goods face the universal 10% temporary import surcharge under Section 122 of the Trade Act (which replaced the IEEPA reciprocal baseline in February 2026) plus the sectoral Section 232 duties — steel and aluminum at 50% — that apply to all countries. The Section 122 surcharge is statutorily temporary — scheduled to lapse on or about July 23, 2026 (a 150-day cap) unless extended or replaced.

- Reciprocal tariff (universal baseline): 10%. The universal 10% floor, a Section 122 import surcharge since February 2026, previously the EO 14257 reciprocal baseline, applies to nearly all U.S. imports; this country has no higher assigned rate of its own.

## Tariff status, 6 changes since 2025

- 2026-04-06: Section 232 metals coverage expanded (in effect). The April 2026 proclamation strengthening Section 232 actions on aluminum, steel, and copper expanded derivative-product coverage for all countries, keeping the general metals rate at 50%. [91 FR 18201](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-06960)
- 2026-02-24: IEEPA reciprocal tariffs terminated — replaced by 10% Section 122 surcharge (in effect, 10%). Executive Order 14389 (Ending Certain Tariff Actions) terminated the IEEPA tariff duties — including the EO 14257 reciprocal baseline — effective February 24, 2026. A flat 10% Section 122 temporary import surcharge (Proclamation 11012 of February 20, 2026) replaced them, leaving the universal rate unchanged at 10% on a different statutory basis. Section 122 caps such surcharges at 150 days, so this 10% surcharge is scheduled to lapse on or about July 23, 2026 absent further action (the administration has signaled it could raise the rate toward the 15% statutory maximum). [91 FR 9437](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-03832)
- 2025-11-13: Agricultural products exempted from reciprocal tariffs (in effect). Executive Order 14360 of November 14, 2025 removed reciprocal duties from certain agricultural products listed in its annexes (coffee, cocoa, bananas, and other goods the U.S. does not produce in sufficient quantity), retroactive to November 13, 2025 — for all countries subject to the reciprocal tariff. [90 FR 54091](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-21203)
- 2025-06-04: Section 232 steel and aluminum duties doubled to 50% (in effect). The June 3, 2025 proclamation raised Section 232 duties on steel and aluminum articles and derivatives from 25% to 50% for all countries, effective June 4, 2025. [90 FR 24199](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-10524)
- 2025-04-05: Universal 10% reciprocal baseline takes effect (in effect, 10%). Executive Order 14257 (signed April 2, 2025) imposed a 10% ad valorem reciprocal duty on imports from all trading partners, effective April 5, 2025. Countries without a higher Annex I rate remain at this baseline. [Federal Register 2025-06063](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-06063)
- 2025-03-12: Section 232 steel and aluminum duties set at 25% for all countries (in effect). Proclamations of February 10, 2025 terminated all country exemptions and quota arrangements and applied 25% Section 232 duties to steel and aluminum imports from every country, effective March 12, 2025. [90 FR 9817](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-02833)

## What Jamaica makes for America

- [Beer, wine, and spirits](https://policyrisk.com/supplymap/beer-wine-spirits) (food): $46M to the U.S.
- [Condiments, sauces & dressings](https://policyrisk.com/supplymap/condiments-and-sauces) (food): $34M to the U.S., 1% of U.S. imports of it
- [Canned and shelf-stable foods](https://policyrisk.com/supplymap/canned-and-shelf-stable-foods) (food): $20M to the U.S.
- [Bread, grains, and flour](https://policyrisk.com/supplymap/bread-grains-flour) (food): $19M to the U.S.
- [Soft drinks & juices](https://policyrisk.com/supplymap/soft-drinks-and-juices) (food): $14M to the U.S.
- [Cheese](https://policyrisk.com/supplymap/cheese) (food): $7M to the U.S.
- [Seafood and fish](https://policyrisk.com/supplymap/seafood-and-fish) (food): $5M to the U.S.
- [Coffee](https://policyrisk.com/supplymap/coffee) (food): $5M to the U.S.

## The supply chain view

Jamaica sits upstream of 2 essential American goods through 4 tracked inputs.

- [Bauxite (aluminum ore)](https://policyrisk.com/supplymap/input/bauxite-ore) (mineral): 29% share
- [Bauxite Ore (Primary Aluminum Feedstock)](https://policyrisk.com/supplymap/input/bauxite-ore-mining) (mineral): 29% share
- [Alumina (Aluminum Oxide, Al₂O₃)](https://policyrisk.com/supplymap/input/alumina-aluminum-oxide) (mineral): 9% share
- [Aluminum Oxide (Al₂O₃, Pharma Grade)](https://policyrisk.com/supplymap/input/aluminum-oxide-pharma) (mineral): 1% share

## The country itself

Europeans first saw Jamaica when Christopher COLUMBUS arrived in 1494, and the Spanish settled the island early in the 16th century. The Native Taino, who had inhabited Jamaica for centuries, were gradually exterminated and replaced with African slaves. England seized the island in 1655 and established a plantation economy based on sugar, cocoa, and coffee. The abolition of slavery in 1834 freed a quarter-million slaves, many of whom became small farmers. Jamaica gradually increased its independence from Britain. In 1958, it joined other British Caribbean colonies in forming the Federation of the West Indies. Jamaica withdrew from the Federation in 1961 and gained full independence in 1962. Deteriorating economic conditions during the 1970s led to recurring violence as rival gangs affiliated with the major political parties evolved into powerful organized crime networks involved in international drug smuggling and money laundering. Violent crime, drug trafficking, corruption, and poverty pose significant challenges to the government today. Nonetheless, many rural and resort areas remain relatively safe and contribute substantially to the economy.

Geography
- Location: Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, south of Cuba
- Area: 10,991 sq km
- Climate: tropical; hot, humid; temperate interior
- Terrain: mostly mountains, with narrow, discontinuous coastal plain
- Natural resources: bauxite, alumina, gypsum, limestone
- Coastline: 1,022 km
- Natural hazards: hurricanes (especially July to November)

People and society
- Population: 2,938,503 (2025 est.)
- Nationality: Jamaican(s)
- Ethnic groups: Black 92.1%, mixed 6.1%, East Indian 0.8%, other 0.4%, unspecified 0.7% (2011 est.)
- Languages: English, Jamaican patois
- Religions: Protestant 64.8% (includes Seventh Day Adventist 12.0%, Pentecostal 11.0%, Other Church of God 9.2%, New Testament Church of God 7.2%, Baptist 6.7%, Church of God in Jamaica 4.8%, Church of God of Prophecy 4.5%, Anglican 2.8%, United Church 2.1%, Methodist 1.6%, Revived 1.4%, Brethren 0.9%, and Moravian 0.7%), Roman Catholic 2.2%, Jehovah's Witness 1.9%, Rastafarian 1.1%, other 6.5%, none 21.3%,…
- Median age: 28.8 years (2025 est.)
- Life expectancy at birth: 76.3 years (2024 est.)
- Literacy: 90.8% (2022 est.)

Economy
- Economic overview: upper-middle-income Caribbean island economy; key agriculture and tourism sectors; high crime, youth unemployment, and poverty; susceptible to natural disasters and global commodity price shocks; progress in reducing public debt and moderating inflation within target range
- Industries: agriculture, mining, manufacture, construction, financial and insurance services, tourism, telecommunications
- Agricultural products: sugarcane, goat milk, yams, chicken, oranges, coconuts, bananas, plantains, pumpkins/squash, pineapples (2023)
- Exports - partners: USA 37%, Russia 7%, Latvia 7%, Iceland 7%, UK 5% (2023)
- Imports - partners: USA 39%, China 11%, Brazil 4%, Colombia 4%, Japan 4% (2023)

Government
- Government type: parliamentary democracy (Parliament) under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm
- Capital: Kingston
- Independence: 6 August 1962 (from the UK)
- Constitution: several previous (pre-independence); latest drafted 1961-62, submitted to British Parliament 24 July 1962, entered into force 6 August 1962 (at independence)
- Executive branch: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor General Sir Patrick L. ALLEN (since 26 February 2009)
- Legislative branch: Parliament

## Sources
- [91 FR 18201](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/04/09/2026-06960/strengthening-actions-taken-to-adjust-imports-of-aluminum-steel-and-copper-into-the-united-states)
- [91 FR 9437](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/02/25/2026-03832/ending-certain-tariff-actions)
- [90 FR 54091](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/11/25/2025-21203/modifying-the-scope-of-the-reciprocal-tariffs-with-respect-to-certain-agricultural-products)
- [90 FR 24199](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/06/09/2025-10524/adjusting-imports-of-aluminum-and-steel-into-the-united-states)
- [Universal 10% reciprocal baseline takes effect](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/04/07/2025-06063/regulating-imports-with-a-reciprocal-tariff-to-rectify-trade-practices-that-contribute-to-large-and)
- [90 FR 9817](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/02/18/2025-02833/adjusting-imports-of-steel-into-the-united-states)
- [CIA World Factbook, Jamaica](https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/)

## Related
- [U.S. tariffs by country](https://policyrisk.com/tariffs)
- [All countries](https://policyrisk.com/countries)
- [Jamaica on the supply map](https://policyrisk.com/supplymap/country/JM)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/countries/jm (as of 2026-11-04).