Friday, March 29, 2024

Customs not reclassifying items

Date:

Share post:

The Customs and Excise Department says it is not reclassifying items brought into this country by importers.
This point was emphasised today by the Comptroller of Customs, Frank Holder, in response to an alleged statement made recently in a section of the print media by the Customs Brokers Association, which indicated that the department was reclassifying items.
Holder emphasised that the regulations and procedures have been in place since 1962 and form part of the Laws of Barbados. However, he said the procedures “will from time to time form part of written examinations which brokers must pass in order to obtain a license to do business”.
The official pointed out that differences of opinion will occur between importers and the Customs and Excise department as to the correct classification of goods. In such a situation, the Comptroller of Customs explained that “the importer shall pay the duty demanded and immediately remove the goods pending settlement of the dispute.”
He noted that a classification committee had always existed in the Customs department to determine the correct tariff heading under which goods must fall. “It comprises officials of the Customs and Excise department, the Ministry of Commerce, and the Barbados Industrial Development Corporation. The committee must follow the interpretative, sectional and chapter rules set out in the Customs Tariff Order” the Comptroller of Customs stressed. Furthermore, Holder said “any importer who is aggrieved by the decision of the committee may require that the matter go to arbitration or take it to the High Court.
The Comptroller of Customs disclosed that the same system exists in most customs jurisdictions and has the same structure of appeals against any decision. “For example, in the United States and the United Kingdom, some classification committee rulings are overturned by the Courts,” he stated.
However, Holder underlined that the decision of the committee does not always result in the payment of additional duties. In fact, he revealed that last year, the department refunded over $39,000 to one importer who was incorrectly classifying his goods.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Related articles

No decision yet on Lester Vaughan School

A firm decision has not yet been made regarding when the Lester Vaughan School will be reopened. Following a...

BDF to conduct simulation exercise on April 2 & 3

The Barbados Defence Force (BDF) will conduct a Mass Casualty Simulation Exercise from Tuesday, April 2, to Wednesday,...

Barbadians reminded to file taxes online as filing season starts

The Barbados Revenue Authority (the BRA) is advising that tax filing season for 2023 begins on April 1 this...

Minister Abrahams’ statement on Ismail Patel’s passing

Below is the full statement by Minister of Home Affairs and Information, Wilfred Abrahams: I was saddened to...