Duty Free Christmas Barrels Again This Year

Contact: Prime Minister's Press Secretary

Saturday, December 8, 2001 - Prime Minister Dr. Kenny D. Anthony has confirmed that the government's policy of granting Duty Free Concessions on Christmas barrels from abroad continues this year.

Dr. Anthony confirmed, just after being sworn-in on Thursday, that the duty free concessions on barrels received by families here as Christmas gifts from relatives and friends overseas will not attract the normal duty and consumption taxes.

He said several weeks before Parliament was dissolved last month, the then Cabinet of Ministers had approved a Conclusion authorizing the continuation of the policy of duty free concessions on barrels containing unsolicited gift items.

According to Dr. Anthony, the gifts were restricted to personal items such as food and clothing and will specifically exclude electronic items. The number of barrels will be two per household and the maximum value of the gifts contained in each barrel should not exceed EC$1,500.

The Prime Minister made it clear that the items qualifying for duty free status must be solely for personal use and should not be for commercial purposes; and he warned that the normal legal penalties will apply if it is found that persons made false declarations or put up such duty free gift items for sale.

Dr. Anthony said the period of duty free concessions for this season stretches from November 22,2001 to January 31,2002.

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