17th October 2019

Prime Minister Allen Chastanet approved concessions on barrels imported at Christmas

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Prime Minister Allen Chastanet has announced the approval of the granting of concessions on barrels imported at Christmas.

The announcement was made on Chastanet’s official Facebook page.

The PM noted that the Cabinet Conclusion No. 913 dated September 23, 2019 authorises the concessions in accordance with certain conditions.

They include a 100% Waiver of Import Duty on personal items, food, clothing, toys and other household consumables, contained in barrels imported between November 15, 2019 and January 31, 2020.

However, electronic items are ‘explicitly excluded’.

In addition, the number of barrels that would qualify for the concessions would be limited to two per household.

The other conditions announced were:

There would be an upper limit of EC$2, 500.00 per barrel on the value of items qualifying for the concessions;

The items identified in one (1) above must be for personal use only and not for commercial use; and the usual penalties, fines, etc. would be applied if the goods are used for commercial purposes.

The Prime Minister disclosed that cabinet further approved the transmission of the appropriate legal instrument to Parliament to declare barrels imported during the period November 15, 2019 and January 31, 2020, exempt from Value Added Tax (VAT).

He noted that items which qualify for this concession will attract Customs Service Charge at the rate of 6%.

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