Permits & Licences

  • The Forestry Department issues various permits and licences to the public to ensure that Jamaicans can enjoy the resources of the forests while complying with the laws set out to protect our forest resources. With the exception of the sawmill licence, these permits and licences govern activity on Crown Lands and the timber and produce sourced from these lands.


    Permits are issued for use of the forest road, to remove timber or forest produce, to use and/or transport a power saw, and to use or light an open fire or charcoal kiln in forest estates.

    The Forestry Department issues licenses:

    1. to operate a sawmill
    2. to cut/or extract timber or forest produce

The application fee for any permit or licence is $250. 

Sawmill Licence

Sawmill means any power-driven saw…or any other type of saw capable or being used for cross-cutting or sawing timber into boards or planks.

You need a sawmill licence if you:

    • Drive, transport or use in any place a sawmill of any type or make 
    • Trade in locally produced lumber 
    • Store locally produced lumber 
    • Purchase locally produced

    Each sawmill licence is issued for a calendar year, and costs $15,000.

    Download the Sawmill Licence Application Form  


    Standing Timber:

    If you are interested in cutting timber from local forests, you will have to obtain a licence to cut/or extract timber. 

    Find out more about our standing timber product.





    Frequently asked questions about our permits and licences

     

    You will need to apply for a permit if you use the forest road to:

    • Remove timber or forest produce
    • Use and/or transport a power saw
    • Use or light an open fire or charcoal kiln

    You will require a licence to operate sawmills and to cut/or extract timber or forest produce. If you cut local timber for commercial use whether from government lands, or your own property, you will need a sawmill licence. Also, if you are in the business of trading and storing local timber, you will require a sawmill licence.

    A non-refundable application fee of $250 must be paid upon submission of applications for the respective licences and or permits. The licencing fee for a sawmill licence is $15,000. The cost of a licence to cut/or extract timber is calculated based on the stumpage rate, which is assessed based on the timber species available. 

    You need a sawmill licence if you,

    • Drive, transport or use in any place a sawmill of any type or make 
    • Trade in locally produced lumber 
    • Store locally produced lumber 
    • Purchase locally produced lumber 

    The sawmill licensing fee is $15,000, and a sawmill licence is valid for one calendar year, i.e. January to December of each year.