A courier pre-alert is a simple way to tell your shipping company what is coming before the package completes the warehouse process. It can connect a tracking number, merchant and invoice to your customer account and reduce the amount of information that has to be collected later.

Legacy Shipping includes a Pre-Alert tool inside the customer dashboard so package information and supporting documents can be submitted in one place.

What information is usually included in a pre-alert?

Depending on the shipment, a pre-alert may include:

• Carrier tracking number.
• Merchant or store name.
• Invoice or purchase receipt.
• Item description or other Customs-related information.

Why the invoice matters

Jamaica Customs may require proof of purchase value and item information. The agency advises importers to provide authentic receipts. If the invoice is missing, additional verification may be needed and the package can take longer to resolve.

See the Jamaica Customs Agency’s eCommerce reminders for official guidance.

A pre-alert can help with package matching

Your customer code is still important, but a tracking number submitted in advance gives the courier another piece of information it can use to associate the incoming parcel with the correct customer.

This is especially useful if the merchant formats the shipping label differently or if an order is split into multiple packages.

Pre-alerting does not mean the package has arrived

A pre-alert is advance information. It does not create a warehouse receipt or prove that the carrier delivered the package. Continue to watch the merchant or carrier tracking until delivery, then use the courier dashboard for the next stages.

When should you pre-alert?

Submit the pre-alert once you have the tracking number and invoice, especially for higher-value purchases, packages where Customs information matters, or shipments the courier specifically asks you to pre-alert.

What if the invoice value is over US$100?

Jamaica Customs currently publishes a US$100 de minimis threshold for qualifying goods. Packages above the threshold may attract applicable duties and taxes. Providing the real invoice helps the assessment process.

Make pre-alert part of your online-shopping routine

1. Place the order using your correct Legacy Shipping address.
2. Save the invoice.
3. Save the tracking number.
4. Open your dashboard and submit a Pre-Alert when needed.
5. Watch the dashboard for later package updates.

New to Legacy? Create your customer account. Before placing a heavy order, you can also check the current shipping rates.