š In this blog post weāll share all law links and known regulations about recreational and commercial drone use in Jamaica (Kingston). Give a š at the end of this post if you enjoyed it & feel free to ask any questions or share your experience in The Forum. Keep in mind that the content below is updated to the best of our ability & does not replace official sources & your own research.
Recreational vs Commercial drone use in Jamaica
Jamaica differentiates between commercial & recreational drone usage - see our post to differentiate recreational vs commercial drone usage. Both are subject to restrictions and a code of conduct.
ā In Jamaica, drone regulations falls under the Jamaican Civil Aviation Authority (JCAA) & they can also be contacted anytime via
Email: jcivav@jcaa.gov.jm
Phone: +1 (876) 960 39 48 or +1 (876) 960 39 65
Can I bring my drone to Jamaica?
ā Currently, there doesn't seem to be any restrictions on bringing drones within Jamaica as long as your import is considered as legitimate (generally one drone per person).
šØ Be aware of the airline you purchase to travel as some main ones will only accept your drone on-board if its batteries are detached & placed in a firecase during travel time. Most airlines will have a battery voltage limit based on the recommendation of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). You can find more info about a specific airline here.
Where can I fly my drone in Jamaica?
ā We did not find an official fly zone map for drones in Jamaica "If you have more information about this, please let us know anytime". Thankfully, app.airmap.io has listed all flight zones in a convenient way organised in a 3 color legend.
šØ You should not fly above or near military installations & strategic infrastructure. Fly away from airports & any aerodromes or airports in the country.
š¦ National parks & reserves are on a case by case permission & you might need to check directly with the local park or reserve authorities.
Recreational Drone use in Jamaica
ā Good things first, you will not need a permit or a license to fly your drone for recreational purposes in Jamaica as long as you do not fly in a restricted or a forbidden zone.
Saying this, within the permitted zones, you will need to follow a few rules:
fly your drone at a maximum altitude of 122 m & 500 m max from you.
fly your drone in manual mode without pre-programmed flights
fly your drone only during daylight & always in sight (Virtual Headsets non allowed).
fly your drone away from large crowds (150 m) or people (50 m &/or 30 m during take off/landing) & respect individuals' privacy.
fly your drone away from private & public properties or dwellings.
fly 5 km away from airports, heliports & give priority to all other categories of aircraft. If you see an aircraft during your flight, land immediately.
do not drop or tow anything from your drone.
fly a drone equipped with a fail safe function (e.g. Mavic Pro 2).
What do I risk for flying a recreational drone illegally in Jamaica?
šØ The amount & scope of the fine will depend on the nature & severity of your infraction. The judges will also evaluate if you intentionally committed the infraction and/or if you had any commercial purposes to do such. Jamaican authorities however explain that they might apply one or more of the following:
a financial fine
prison time
a drone confiscation & more.
Commercial Drone use in Jamaica
ā By law, Jamaica defines commercial drone use as any flight for business-related purposes (we understand; making š² or not). If this applies to you, you will need a permit as a drone pilot before being able to undertake any flight for commercial purposes in Jamaica.
To obtain your drone permit in Jamaica, you will need to contact jcivav@jcaa.gov.jm. When sending your email, make sure to include this information within it:
your full drone details (brand, weight, serial number, etc) & a color photo (jpg).
any accessories or modifications from manufacturer's product.
the full details of your flight route & reasons why you wish to fly there.
any further information showing your professionalism such as overseas licenses.
š Jamaican authorities recommend contacting them 2 days ahead of your flight, we recommend as early as possible to put yourself on the safe side.
šØ You will need one permit per flight you intend to undertake; this means repeating this process several times if you want a decent clip of this wonderful country!
What do I risk for flying a commercial drone illegally in Jamaica?
šØ The amount & scope of the fine will depend on the nature & severity of your infraction. The judges will also evaluate if you intentionally committed the infraction and/or if you had any commercial purposes to do such. Jamaican authorities however explain that they might apply one or more of the following:
a financial fine
prison time
a drone confiscation & more.
Once you've got everything in order, you can start flying above Jamaica's awesome landscapes and create videos like this one:
ā Please leave a comment or update the Forum when you receive news and/or gain experience with your drone in the Jamaica! Have fun and safe flight!
Disclaimer: Although greatĀ care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information researched, we take no responsibility for any loss, harm or damage caused as a direct or indirect consequence of relying on this information. It is your responsibility to seek advice from qualified local & relevant authoritiesĀ for needed information about local drone rules and regulations.
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