SLASPA and Customs collaborate in annual concession program

Castries, Saint Lucia: The Saint Lucia Sir and Sea Ports Authority (SLASPA) and the Customs and Excise Department collaborate to ease festive season burdens.

Notably, the government of Saint Lucia announced its annual concession program last month, which allows nationals to import barrels and grocery items with reduced fees and tariffs.

It is to be added in the remarks of the Saint Lucian government that the concessions period spans from November 1 to February 28, 2023.

The main agenda of this concession is to palliate the financial burdens on citizens during the festive season and beyond so they will enjoy the festivities to the fullest.

It is to be noted that the program is managed through a collaborative effort between the two key entities, which are as follows,

– The Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority (SLASPA)

– The Customs and Excise Department

The Public Relations Officer for SLASPA, Geena McPhee, marked the role of the organization in making a smooth path for this concession.

She ensures a safe space for barrels and improves the ease of doing business. This will help customers make an appointment online, which enables a smooth transaction.

“SLASPA is the facilitator of the process. We ensure that there is a safe space for barrels to come in and be stored. Our appointment system was launched in 2020 to improve the ease of doing business =. Now, customers are able to make an appointment online and then come in to clear their barrels, which enables a smooth transaction”, she stated.

Notably, Mr Gilroy Polius, who is serving as a Supervisor of the Customs and Excise Department, gave a detailed description of the department’s responsibilities in managing concessions.

As they are the ones who determine and examine if the goods qualify for the barrel trade. However, a person is allowed to bring in only two pieces, each family during the concession period.

This year, the maximum value per piece is EC $3000, and previously, it used to be EC $2500 per piece. The allowance increase was ordered by the government so they can ensure whatever comes in should meet those requirements.

If the consignments are over that amount, then the balance will attract the regular rate of duty. The qualified goods would be foodstuffs, clothing, toys and household consumables.

It is to be noted that the concession period gives relaxation to the consumers and ensures that they will pay no extra costs, health and safety rates, value-added taxes on imported items, or import duties.