OCA EXPRESS · CUSTOMER SUPPORT
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Understand eligibility, compensation and the invoice you need on file.
At OCA Express, we understand how important every shipment is to our customers. While every effort is made to ensure packages are transported safely and securely, there may be rare occasions where a package is confirmed lost or damaged while under OCA’s responsibility.
This policy explains how claims are reviewed and how compensation is determined.
Customers may submit a claim for:
Every claim is subject to review and investigation.
To be considered for compensation, the following requirements must generally be met:
Failure to meet these requirements may result in the claim being declined.
Please report problems immediately wherever possible. OCA’s reporting timeframes are:
Your first report counts. The ticket submission date, or the date your first report is logged by OCA staff, establishes the reporting date. Keep your ticket or reference number. You do not have to complete the investigation within seven days; provide additional evidence when requested.
Invoice timing is separate. The reporting window does not extend the requirement to upload an acceptable purchase invoice before Customs clearance in Jamaica.
Exceptional late reports: management will review the circumstances and available evidence case by case rather than automatically rejecting every late report. Review does not guarantee compensation.
These operational reporting timeframes do not limit any rights available under applicable law.
Uploading the invoice before Customs clearance establishes the purchase value of the shipment before any issue occurs.
This helps ensure claims are handled fairly and prevents disputes regarding the value of an item after it has been reported lost or damaged.
Invoices submitted only after a shipment has been reported lost or damaged may not be accepted for claim valuation.
Every claim is individually reviewed.
The investigation may include:
OCA may contact the customer if additional information is required during the investigation.
If OCA determines that it is responsible for the approved claim, compensation will generally be provided through one of the following methods:
OCA does not normally provide cash refunds for approved claims.
The method of compensation will be determined by OCA based on the circumstances of the claim.
The maximum liability for any approved claim is:
US$100 or the Jamaican-dollar equivalent (J$16,200 at an exchange rate of J$162 to US$1), whichever is lower than the verified purchase value of the item.
For example:
Compensation may not be provided for:
If a customer believes an incorrect shipping weight was charged, OCA will review the shipment records.
Where an error is confirmed, the customer will receive an account credit for the applicable difference.
Investigation times vary depending on the circumstances of each claim.
Customers will be kept informed if additional information is required.
OCA aims to complete investigations as quickly as reasonably possible; however, some investigations may require additional time where third-party information or Customs verification is needed.
Invoices should be uploaded before Customs clearance. Documents submitted after a package has been reported lost or damaged may not be accepted for claim purposes.
No. Approved claims are generally settled through account credit or repurchase of the affected item.
No. Every claim is investigated individually. Compensation is only considered where OCA confirms responsibility and all eligibility requirements have been met.
The compensation limit allows OCA to provide a fair and consistent claims process while maintaining sustainable shipping services for all customers.
Once your package is received at the OCA Miami warehouse, the arrival email provides a link that allows you to upload your purchase invoice.
The invoice helps OCA:
You should upload the invoice after the package is received at the Miami warehouse and before the shipment is cleared in Jamaica.
Customers are strongly encouraged to upload the invoice as soon as they receive the package-arrival notification.
You may return to the upload link later, but you should not wait until the package has already been reported lost, damaged or cleared.
The invoice placed on file before clearance establishes the item’s declared purchase value before any claim is made.
This helps prevent uncertainty or changes to the value after a package has already been reported lost or damaged.
The invoice submitted before clearance will normally be used when OCA reviews the value of an eligible claim.
A package without an invoice uploaded before clearance may not be eligible for compensation for loss or damage because OCA may be unable to verify the declared value of the item before the incident.
OCA may also be unable to complete Customs clearance promptly if Jamaica Customs requests documentation and no invoice is available.
Management may review exceptional circumstances, but approval is not guaranteed.
The document should clearly show:
A merchant invoice, order confirmation or purchase receipt may be accepted, provided it clearly shows the required transaction details.
OCA will contact you if Jamaica Customs requests an invoice, proof of payment, product information or any other supporting documentation.
You should provide the requested information as soon as possible. OCA will then submit it to Customs for review.
Customs controls the final clearance decision and may request further verification.
You may occasionally be asked to upload or resubmit your purchase invoice, even if you previously uploaded one.
This does not necessarily mean there is a problem with your shipment.
In many cases, OCA or Jamaica Customs simply requires a clearer or more complete copy of the document before the shipment can continue through the clearance process.
OCA may request another copy if:
Your invoice should clearly show:
If Jamaica Customs requires additional documentation, OCA will contact you with the specific information needed.
Uploading your invoice promptly helps prevent unnecessary delays.
If Jamaica Customs requests documentation, OCA cannot continue the clearance process until the required information has been submitted.
Your invoice helps OCA:
Yes.
If a shipment is confirmed lost or damaged while under OCA’s responsibility, an acceptable invoice must be uploaded before the shipment is cleared into Jamaica for the package to be considered for compensation.
For complete information regarding eligibility, compensation limits, and claim procedures, please refer to the OCA Claims & Compensation Policy.
Find out what your status means and what to check when a delivery is missing.
Received at Origin means that your package has been received and scanned at the OCA Express warehouse in Miami.
Once the package is scanned, it is added to your OCA account and you will normally receive an email containing information such as:
After the arrival scan, the package enters the warehouse processing workflow. During this stage, the warehouse team may:
The status may not change immediately after the first scan. This does not necessarily mean there is a problem with the package.
You should:
Uploading your invoice early helps OCA respond to Jamaica Customs if additional information is required. It is also important for eligibility under OCA’s lost or damaged package compensation process.
All packages are arrival-scanned when they are physically received by the OCA warehouse.
If the package is not showing in your account, first confirm:
A merchant may sometimes provide an order number or an initial tracking number that is different from the number used for final delivery.
If the package still cannot be located, submit a support request under Not Received at Warehouse and provide the delivery confirmation and all available tracking numbers.
OCA arrival-scans packages when they are physically received at the Miami warehouse.
If your package is not showing in your OCA account, it may mean:
Before submitting a support request, review the merchant’s order page and the courier’s delivery information.
Look for:
The number displayed on the merchant’s website may not always be the same number shown on the package when it reaches the warehouse.
Your package should include your name and assigned OCA mailbox number and should be sent to the current OCA overseas shipping address shown in your account.
An incomplete name, missing mailbox number or incorrect warehouse address can delay the package-matching process.
When submitting a ticket, provide:
OCA may ask the warehouse team to perform a track-and-trace investigation using the information provided.
A delivery status shown by the merchant or courier does not by itself confirm that the OCA warehouse physically received the package.
OCA will review the available warehouse records and delivery information before confirming whether the package was received.
The Processing status means that your package has arrived in Jamaica and is currently undergoing OCA’s verification and processing procedures before it can be released for collection.
Once your shipment arrives in Jamaica, it is scanned by our local team upon arrival. From there, your package enters the verification process, which may take place either:
During this stage, your package is being reviewed to ensure it can continue safely through the final stages of the clearance and distribution process.
Depending on the shipment, OCA may carry out one or more of the following activities:
Not every package follows the same process, and some shipments may require additional verification before they can proceed.
Your tracking status will only update when your package reaches the next operational milestone.
While your tracking shows Processing, our team may still be actively working on your shipment.
Several factors can affect how long this stage takes, including:
A package remaining in Processing does not automatically mean that there is a problem with your shipment.
Not necessarily.
A package showing Processing has arrived in Jamaica and has been received by OCA’s local team.
However, depending on the shipment, it may still be:
Once all required checks have been completed, your package status will change to Ready for Pickup.
If your package has remained in the Processing stage significantly longer than expected and there have been no updates, you may contact our Customer Support team.
When contacting us, please provide:
Our team will review the status of your shipment and provide an update where possible.
You can help us process your shipment more efficiently by:
Yes. A Processing status means your package has arrived in Jamaica and has been received by OCA’s local operations team.
Not always.
Depending on the shipment, Customs verification may still be in progress, or the package may be undergoing sorting and verification at OCA’s local facility.
Once all verification, Customs processing (where applicable), and local sorting have been completed, your package will be transferred to the appropriate branch and its status will change to Ready for Pickup.
Not necessarily.
Some shipments require additional verification or Customs processing, which may take longer than others. If the Processing status remains unchanged for an unusually long period, please contact Customer Support for assistance.
A package may remain at the same status while work continues behind the scenes.
Tracking updates are added when the package reaches a new recorded stage. There may therefore be periods where the status appears unchanged while the shipment is:
A status that has not changed does not automatically mean that the package is lost.
OCA currently operates three air-freight shipment cycles each week.
| Delivered to Miami warehouse | Airport drop-off | Scheduled Jamaica clearance |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday to Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday |
| Tuesday to Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
| Thursday to Friday | Saturday | Monday |
These are normal operating schedules and are not guaranteed delivery dates.
Airline delays, short shipments, peak-season volumes, weather, Customs examinations and other operational issues may affect the expected timeline.
Continue monitoring the tracking information in your OCA account.
A support ticket is generally appropriate when:
When submitting a ticket, include the OCA package number and merchant tracking number.
OCA should not promise a specific delivery or clearance date unless the shipment has already been confirmed for that stage.
Shipment and clearance schedules are estimates and may change due to circumstances outside OCA’s control.
Learn about duties, holds, examinations and import requirements.
Most goods imported into Jamaica are subject to duties, taxes, or other Government charges.
These charges are assessed by Jamaica Customs, not by OCA Express.
OCA prepares and submits the required documentation to Customs and facilitates the clearance process on behalf of our customers.
Jamaica Customs determines the amount of duties and taxes payable.
OCA does not:
Those decisions are made solely by Jamaica Customs under Jamaican law.
Customs considers several factors when assessing duties and taxes, including:
Different products may attract different duty rates, even if they have similar purchase values.
Your invoice is one of the most important documents used during Customs clearance.
It helps Customs verify:
For this reason, OCA encourages customers to upload their invoice as soon as their package arrives at the Miami warehouse.
Yes.
Depending on the shipment, Jamaica Customs may request:
If this happens, OCA will contact you as soon as possible so the requested information can be submitted.
If you believe your duty assessment is incorrect:
Please note that OCA cannot change or override a Customs assessment.
OCA may provide a general estimate based on the information available.
However, estimates are not guaranteed, and the final assessment is determined by Jamaica Customs after reviewing the shipment.
Several factors can affect the final assessment, including:
For this reason, two similar products may not always receive identical duty assessments.
OCA works closely with Jamaica Customs to ensure shipments are processed as efficiently as possible.
Our team will:
While we facilitate the process, all Customs decisions remain under the authority of Jamaica Customs.
For the most current information on Customs duties, restricted goods, prohibited goods and import requirements, customers are encouraged to visit the official Jamaica Customs Agency website.
A Customs Hold means Jamaica Customs has temporarily paused the clearance of your shipment while additional checks are completed.
A Customs Hold does not necessarily mean there is a problem with your package.
Customs may place shipments on hold for routine inspections or to request additional information before releasing the shipment.
Common reasons include:
If Jamaica Customs requests additional documentation, OCA will contact you as soon as possible.
You may be asked to provide:
Once received, OCA will submit the requested documents to Jamaica Customs.
No.
Only Jamaica Customs can authorize the release of a shipment once it has been placed on hold.
OCA acts as your customs broker by submitting the requested information and communicating with Customs throughout the process.
Every Customs review is different.
Some holds are resolved quickly, while others may require additional verification.
Because Customs controls the review process, OCA cannot guarantee a clearance date.
A Customs Examination is a physical inspection performed by Jamaica Customs before a shipment is released.
This examination allows Customs officers to verify the contents of the shipment and ensure they match the declared documentation.
A shipment may be selected because:
Selection is made entirely by Jamaica Customs.
No.
Only Jamaica Customs performs official Customs examinations.
OCA representatives may be present during the inspection when required but cannot decide whether a shipment will be examined.
No.
Many examinations are routine and are completed without any issues.
Depending on the shipment, Jamaica Customs may request:
Customs uses these documents to:
If OCA contacts you requesting documentation:
Before purchasing or shipping an item to Jamaica, it is important to understand that not all goods can be imported freely.
Some items are prohibited, meaning they cannot legally be imported into Jamaica, while others are restricted, meaning they may only be imported with the appropriate licence, permit, or approval from the relevant Government authority.
Failure to comply with these requirements may result in delays, seizure, forfeiture, or other enforcement action by Jamaica Customs or the relevant regulatory agency.
Prohibited items are goods that are not permitted to be imported into Jamaica.
Examples include certain obscene materials, counterfeit currency, and other goods prohibited under Jamaican law. The official list is maintained by the Jamaica Customs Agency and may change from time to time.
Restricted items can generally be imported, but only after obtaining the required permit, licence or approval from the appropriate Government agency.
Examples may include:
The exact requirements depend on the type of product and the Government agency responsible for regulating it.
In many cases, yes, provided all required permits and approvals have been obtained before Customs clearance.
However, OCA cannot obtain import permits on behalf of customers unless specifically arranged as part of a separate service.
Customers remain responsible for ensuring they are legally permitted to import the item.
If Jamaica Customs identifies a restricted item, your shipment may:
OCA will contact you if additional information or documentation is required.
If a shipment contains a prohibited item, Jamaica Customs may:
OCA cannot override or reverse decisions made by Jamaica Customs or any Government regulatory authority.
To help avoid delays, OCA recommends that customers:
The official lists of prohibited and restricted goods are maintained by the Jamaica Customs Agency.
Customers should always refer to the official Jamaica Customs website for the most up-to-date information, as import requirements may change.
The examples provided in this article are for general guidance only and are not a complete list.
The final decision regarding whether an item may be imported into Jamaica rests solely with Jamaica Customs and any other relevant Government regulatory agency.
Prepare for collection and understand the storage timeline.
When your package has completed the shipping and Customs clearance process, it will be transferred to your selected OCA branch for collection.
Once the package has been received and processed at the branch, your tracking status will change to Ready for Pickup.
This means your package is available for collection during normal business hours.
Before your package is made available for collection, it goes through several stages:
Only after these steps are completed will the package be marked Ready for Pickup.
OCA will notify you once your package has been processed at the branch.
Customers should also monitor their OCA customer portal for the latest tracking updates.
Please wait until you receive the Ready for Pickup notification before visiting the branch.
To help us serve you efficiently, please have your:
Providing your package number will help our staff locate your shipment more quickly.
Yes.
Another person may collect your package on your behalf, provided they satisfy OCA’s collection requirements.
OCA may request authorization and valid identification before releasing the package.
Additional verification may be required depending on the shipment.
Once your package is marked Ready for Pickup, you have seven (7) calendar days to collect it without storage charges.
Beginning on Day 8, storage fees of J$100 per package per day will apply.
Packages that remain uncollected for 30 days may become eligible for liquidation in accordance with OCA’s Storage Fees & Package Liquidation Policy.
Not always.
After Customs clearance, packages must still be:
Customers should wait for the official Ready for Pickup notification before visiting the branch.
If you are unable to collect your package within the complimentary storage period, please contact OCA Customer Support as soon as possible.
While our team will review your circumstances, storage fees may still apply in accordance with OCA’s Storage Fees & Package Liquidation Policy.
Yes. If you are unsure whether your package is available, you may contact OCA Customer Support or check your customer portal before travelling to the branch.
If your customer portal shows Ready for Pickup, your package is generally available for collection.
If you have not received a notification, please verify that your contact information is correct in your account and contact Customer Support if necessary.
Packages left uncollected beyond the complimentary storage period will begin attracting storage charges.
After 30 days, they may become eligible for liquidation.
Where online payment options are available, customers are encouraged to pay any outstanding charges before visiting the branch to help reduce waiting time.
To make your collection faster:
At OCA Express, we encourage customers to collect their packages as soon as possible after receiving their Ready for Pickup notification.
Packages that remain at our branch for extended periods occupy valuable storage space and prevent us from efficiently serving all customers.
To help manage warehouse capacity, OCA applies the following storage policy.
Once your package has been cleared and made available for collection, you will receive a Ready for Pickup notification.
Customers are provided seven (7) calendar days to collect their package at no additional storage cost.
Beginning on the eighth (8th) day, a storage fee will be applied.
Starting on Day 8, a storage fee of:
J$100 per package, per day
will be added until the package is collected or otherwise disposed of in accordance with this policy.
Storage fees continue to accumulate daily.
| Days After Ready for Pickup | Storage Fee |
|---|---|
| Days 1–7 | No charge |
| Day 8 | J$100 |
| Day 9 | J$200 |
| Day 10 | J$300 |
| Day 15 | J$800 |
| Day 30 | J$2,300 |
Storage fees are calculated per package.
Storage fees help OCA:
The storage fee is not a penalty; it is intended to offset the cost of storing uncollected packages beyond the complimentary storage period.
If you are unable to collect your package promptly, we recommend contacting OCA Customer Support as soon as possible.
Our team may be able to discuss available options based on your circumstances. However, storage fees may still apply.
Packages that remain uncollected for 30 days after becoming Ready for Pickup may be considered abandoned.
At that stage, OCA reserves the right to begin the liquidation process to recover outstanding storage charges and other applicable costs.
Liquidation may include the sale or disposal of the uncollected package in accordance with OCA’s policies and applicable laws.
Customers may lose the right to collect or claim the package once the liquidation process has begun.
OCA makes reasonable efforts to notify customers that their package is ready for collection.
Customers are responsible for ensuring that:
Failure to receive or read a notification does not prevent storage fees from being applied or the liquidation process from proceeding where appropriate.
Storage fees are generally applied in accordance with this policy.
Any request for a waiver or adjustment will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and is subject to management approval.
Approval is not guaranteed.
The complimentary storage period begins on the date your package is marked Ready for Pickup, not the date it arrived in Jamaica or was received at the Miami warehouse.
Yes, provided they meet OCA’s collection requirements and have any required authorization or identification.
Yes.
Provided the package has not entered the liquidation process, you may collect it after paying any applicable shipping, duty, storage and other outstanding charges.
Please contact OCA Customer Support as soon as possible.
While management may review exceptional circumstances, storage fees may still apply.
No.
Storage charges continue to accrue until the package is collected or another arrangement has been approved by OCA.
To avoid storage fees:
Have your OCA account or mailbox number and merchant tracking number ready. You can sign in to report an issue, or contact our team so staff can log it and provide an issue number.
These articles explain OCA’s service procedures and policies. Customs decisions remain with Jamaica Customs. Individual claims are subject to investigation and the applicable policy requirements.