By RASHAD ROLLE
Tribune Staff Reporter
rrolle@tribunemedia.net
THE exigency order declared in the wake of Hurricane Matthew will last for 180 days, effective from October 7, according to the order obtained by The Tribune.
The order will allow residents affected by the storm to import certain items into the country duty and tax-free.
Items that will be tax exempt include building materials, electrical fixtures and materials, plumbing fixtures and materials, household furniture, furnishing and appliances, bottled water, generators and motor vehicles.
The exigency order only covers New Providence, Grand Bahama, the Berry Islands and North and Central Andros.
“Customs duty and VAT exemption will be granted to registered charitable organisations, and individuals whose loss by Hurricane Matthew has been verified by NEMA,” the order says. “All other authorised donations will be deemed a gift to the government and will be received and distributed by NEMA.”
The minister of finance, Prime Minister Perry Christie, may decide to extend the exigency order beyond its April 4, 2017 deadline.
The order further says: “The waiver of departure tax for noncommercial flights bringing in relief goods and customs processing fees on imports in the islands mentioned is only permitted for a period of three months commencing on the 7th day of October.”
Residents will only be allowed to import bottled water duty-free for 60 days, however.
And duty exemptions on cars will be based on the “market value of the vehicle destroyed on the date of the hurricane,” the order says.
“In the event the minimum value is less than $5,000 on the date of the hurricane a value of $5,000 would be used. The destroyed vehicle must be turned over to the authority of the Customs Department in all instances.”
Hurricane Matthew ripped through the Bahamas last week, leaving destruction in New Providence, Grand Bahama, Andros and the Berry Islands.
Comments
croberts6969 7 years, 7 months ago
So each individual resident must import what they need and get approval from NEMA? The local suppliers are these goods cant import the stuff that is needed and sell to us at lower prices?
alfalfa 7 years, 7 months ago
What a farce.. I can only imagine the rush on NEMA's understaffed and unprofessional offices for approval to import items under this exigency order. Good luck. The "boys" will be bringing in whatever they choose without the tangled mess of dealing with NEMA, and truly deserving applicants will be waiting in vain.
SP 7 years, 7 months ago
Brilliant! But Where Will These Already Broke, Unemployed People Find Money From?
PM Christie might as well tell these people to invest in hotels, aragonite mining and oil exploration while he's dreaming bullshyt because under his lousy leadership those most affected were already struggling & living hand to mouth before Matthew!
This clown needs to pull his head out of his ass just this once and take a look around.
The whole country is devastated Sir jackass! Cut the red tape.
This exigency order should apply across the board to everyone so as to stimulate business and immediately create as many reconstruction jobs possible.
sheeprunner12 7 years, 7 months ago
You can only take advantage of exigency orders if you have cash money ........... no money, no imports ............ we cannot go to Florida to shop with your hands swinging
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