Barrel relief for Christmas

Dominicans who are expecting to receive barrels from relatives overseas this Christmas will pay less for them when they are collected at the port.

Effective Thursday custom import duty and service charges on barrels will be removed, according to Ports Minister Rayburn Blackmoore.

The measure will remain in place until January 9, 2013.

However Blackmore made it clear that the programme is for items that are for personal use only. “To qualify for this concession the barrels must be valued at $1,500 and the items in the barrels must be for personal use and should not be for commercial purposes,” he said.

He said the contents which will be allowed are mainly food items, limited items of clothing and toys and each person is allowed to clear only two barrels under the programme.

“Persons are expected to pay a flat rate of $10.00 for both barrels; however, persons will be expected to pay the VAT,” he said.

The minister went on to explain the definition of a barrel in order to avoid confusion on the port. “For the purpose of the exercise it can be a box, a drum, a package and a barrel and should not exceed EC$1,500,” he reiterated.

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49 Comments

  1. khaki
    January 23, 2015

    I was disappointed when my family member called me and stated that she paid over $400.00 to clear two boxes of household goods at the customs during the holiday season.. This is just another political insult to the locals on the Island. When our people are going to admit that they are stupid. Skerrit and his cronies are concerned about their families and themselves. They continue to fool you all day after day. People, open your eyes. Dominicans I am calling on you to stop supporting this corrupt government. Can’t you see that the politicians are getting richer while you are getting poorer? Dominica is becoming a Chinese Island. Too many inferior goods on the Island, little or no customs duties for the Chinese, but heavy taxes for citizens. That is so wrong, I wonder if their are intelligent people left on the Island. A few moths ago while visiting, another visitor told me that all the smart people left the Island and only dummies living there.

  2. khaki
    January 23, 2015

    I was very disappointed when my family called to tell me that she paid $400.00 plus to clear two boxes of house hold goods at the customs. I am wondering when politicians intend to stop fooling the poor locals on the Island? My people,! another set of lies and manipulation. When are you all going to open up your eyes? Skerrit and his cronies do not care about you, they are only concerned about their families and themselves. I cannot understand why my people are so gullible and ignorant. I am wondering, could it be poverty or stupidity? A couple months ago, I met someone that was visiting, and he said to me that all the smart people left Dominica and only dummies are left on the Island. I am very close to believing that might be a true statement. People! please take a good inventory of yourselves. My piece for today.

  3. Chrissy
    January 2, 2013

    I am glad for the barrel Christmas reduction…
    But there is absolutely NO reason for the port to charge high import fees to clear packages from abroad…That is unfair and cripples the economy…
    If the port officials care anything about the people of this country why cripple the country when there is no alternative… New businesses are crippled, potential jobs are crippled and the people suffer…
    I am Dominica and I care about Dominicans…ARE YOU?

  4. Toronto
    December 20, 2012

    I just send two barrels to my family,and they call to say that they were asked to pay 580 dollars to clear the papers for the barrels.So,I wonder how much it is to clear the barrels.Itold them this is impossible.

  5. Customs Officer
    December 6, 2012

    Last year when the announcement was made on the radio, no correspondence had been sent to the customs department. It was announce on the radio, that’s where we heard it like all of you. In order to be effective it has to be in black and white be it a memo or cabinet decision. when you are given duty free on an item eg a car of fishing boat doesnt have to go to cabinet? Dont u have to get the FTI101 form stamped and signed? Come on people where is your common sense?

  6. OVERSEA D/A
    December 6, 2012

    ST VINCENT HAVE A PROGRAM LIKE THIS WHERE THEY PAY ONLY 25 DOLLARS DURING THE CHRISTMAS SEASON FOR THEIR BARREL NO MATTER HOW BIG IT IS.I KNOW THIS CUZ I WORK WITH PEOPLE FROM THERE AND IT HURT ME TO SEE WE HAVE TO PAY SO MUCH TO TRY AND HELP OUR FAMILY HOME.
    IF YOU GUYS ARE GIVING US SOMETHING DONT DO IT HALF HALF DO IT WILLING WITH THE POOR IN MIND

  7. marchand lawie
    December 6, 2012

    The 10.00 fee is only a port reduction of the tailgate fee which varies between 25-55 dollars. Customs may give some concessions but ALL other fees VAT etc must be paid. People need to listen to the radio and get it clear. You will not walk out of the port or customs with your barrels or boxes for only 10.00. Goods valued 1500 or less will face a flat rate of about 160.00 based on contents. Groceries,minimal clothing n toys. Any appliances car parts electronics you will market value.

    • Tri-State Beauty
      December 7, 2012

      But wait Dominicans have limiere man. Why would anyone give this person thumbs down for giving them the right information. Thank you Marchand tan because this was very confusing until I confirmed what you said. It’s really only a $10 reduction on the PORT tailgate fees.

  8. stacymaria
    December 6, 2012

    I thought the whole thing costed only $10.00, but it is only for tailgate. Then customs charge is separate and VAT is added, so any way the white house will still be happy. Why couldn’t they do like Antigua charge only $1.00 for everything!

  9. grell
    December 6, 2012

    blackmore you fooling the people again but thats good for them,the vat is duty stop fooling the poor people,well should not care anyway bc they accept you all bullcrap :)

  10. Anonymous
    December 6, 2012

    Came home last year and honestly, I rather just make sure I have enough $US and shop at Whitchurch. Seriously by the time I got those barrels I had a migrain headache and an elevated heart rate and am pretty sure my blood pressure went sky high…..never me again. too much drama. Not worth it!! I’ll convert the $US then shop!!

  11. Observer
    December 6, 2012

    So how much are we really saving? 15% VAT on $1500 – that’s already as $225. What other fees? What is typical value of a barrel? Why a government has to make all that money on one barrel?
    I asked about bringing in some CDs and I was told the input duty is 62% (I would expect they value a CD at least $15 EC or more, so that is already at least $9.3 EC. Isn’t that crazy?! Compared to the US where I paid just about $0.30 USD (ie is about $0.81 EC) cents to input CD. The governments of the Caribbean are wicked, and the custom officers are even worst than them sometimes.

  12. rescue 911
    December 6, 2012

    and expect long lines .because they have to deveday the whole barrel

  13. Lang Dough
    December 6, 2012

    last year they said that, and when I went on the port they charged me full price, claiming that they did not get no information from government yet.

  14. Goosie Gander
    December 6, 2012

    What are the cargo agents doing for the poor people. They charge an arm and a leg just to pick up a piece of paper to go to customs to clear a box. They are highway robbers. All they do is sit in their office and rob the poor.

    The government should step in to put an end to this robbery and abuse of the poor by those unscrupulus cargo agents. We also need a break from them for Christmas. $30, $50, $80, $100, $200, $300, is way too much for a piece of paper. Sometimes they even charge you more than customs.

    • anonymous
      December 7, 2012

      hmm u damn lie karam rate is flat $40 so who paying for the person all day long doing the paperwork the ink the printing the calls to let u knw ur barrel is on island. omg u ppl are so unfair at times plz say it like it is!

  15. SXM resident
    December 6, 2012

    Is it true that you are not allowed to enter Dominica with Christmas ham? I am residing in St. Maarten of course the ham will be American produced ham (there is no livestock in St.Maarten) but someone told me because of swine flue ham cannot be imported into Dominica? I also don’t have barrels my stuff will be packed in duffle bags will I be exemept from the taxes also. Will someone be so care to answer my querries?

    • reality
      December 6, 2012

      so what u r telling me nobody in dominica will be eating ham for christmas this year? cause i may be wrong but i believe all the ham that we get here is imported.like i said i may be wrong.

  16. MWEN
    December 6, 2012

    one month free and we will take it back by march monthend

  17. oo
    December 6, 2012

    DNO please get some confirmation. If my barrel is not valued at $1500 do I not qualify? Or does every barrel have to be valued at this amount
    Do the customs people know about this? Last year we were told that is was so and when you went to the port the custom officers said they were not notified.

    • Anonymous
      December 6, 2012

      1500 or under. contact customs to verify the details.

  18. Rastafari
    December 6, 2012

    Good move on part of the Gov. I hope the custom officers adhere to the change and not play ignorant when people get there to pick up their stuff. Happy Holidays!

  19. wonder woman
    December 6, 2012

    Does this apply to my aeropost package too?? :-D

    • Anonymous
      December 6, 2012

      once it in a box!!!

  20. Anonymous
    December 6, 2012

    Last year the same thing was said, but what actually happened was that the duty at the Port Authority was the 10 dollars, but the duty remained the same.

  21. Anonymous
    December 6, 2012

    While that’s great for Dominicans thats bad news for Dominica as in addition to the Colombians taking away precious sales this season, so will the barrells. So all the hucksters, vendors, shops, department stores will be left with even more itsms unsold.

    What does those mean exactly. They cant pay their loans be it to bank or family member. Jobs may be at stake as layoffs are usually a side effect of poor sales. These people who are laid off have no money so cannot buy so more hardship on hucksters, vendors, shops and department stores so more difficulty in paying back bank or family members and more layoffs and so on.

    Dismal picture for Dominica but hey! at least the politcians are doing really well!

  22. out of town
    December 6, 2012

    merry x-mas DA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  23. Reader
    December 6, 2012

    Just need clarification. The value of the barrel should value $1,500 or should not exceed $1,500?

    • Hmmmm
      December 6, 2012

      Honestly!!!!!

      SMH – are you really asking that question? (Rhetorically asked)

    • MIO
      December 6, 2012

      I was asking that very same question but just as someone pointed out to me, read the final sentence. It clearly states NOT EXCEEDING $1500.00

  24. Huh!!
    December 5, 2012

    I just send down two barrels, I will see how it works!

  25. Little BIG
    December 5, 2012

    Only in Dominica… a BOX is a BARREL!

  26. Malgraysa
    December 5, 2012

    Boy, have your “barrel relief” for 15% vat!
    . I using flush toilet these days for free.

  27. ideal
    December 5, 2012

    good idea, “merry Xmas Dominicans

  28. ahhh
    December 5, 2012

    yayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

  29. Hate ignorance
    December 5, 2012

    Admin i think you made an error in the write up , you said higher up that it must be valued at $1500 but lower the minister said it should not value more than $1500. there is no way a barrel can value exactly $1500 if you get my point so please fix the error. thanks

    • Hate ignorance
      December 5, 2012

      Unless if that was his exact quote. You actually have it in quotation marks so please check

  30. watch
    December 5, 2012

    Every year they saying the same things . When u go on the port is a diffrent thing

  31. dirty harry
    December 5, 2012

    boy i wish i had family that care bout me to send me a barrel.that would make my season be merry

  32. "O" STRESS"
    December 5, 2012

    Great move by the Government,that concession will go along way to easeing the burnden on persons who depend on a little something from relatives abroad much needed stuff, only to struggle to pay in some cases much more at the ports than the Barrels cost. Such a move indicate that the Government is sensitive to the poor people`s situation at a time of year where sharing, and giving is high lighted. My sister will be very happy when she get her Barrel. Thank you to the person {S} who came up with this generous idea.

    • Papa Dom
      December 6, 2012

      Excuse me! but this government is not sensitive to the situation of poor people. This is a vote catching, political gimmick designed to fool those whom they continue to keep in poverty. If they are interested in the situation of the poor, they would find work for them, provide incentives for the farmers to increase food production and stop the red clinic.

      • Zor
        December 6, 2012

        This has been happening in ANtigua, St Lucia, Grenada, for years now. Only difference is you pay only $1.00

      • "O" STRESS"
        December 6, 2012

        If you feel so strongly about the government, then do not vote for them the choice is yours and your convictions. My opinion, Government cannot do every thing for every body.

  33. December 5, 2012

    THAT’S GREAT NEWS ….HOPE THAT THE LINES ARE GONNA MOVE A BITEAR FASTER THIS Y

  34. Lancelot
    December 5, 2012

    Please inform the custom officers of this, because last year when this was announced I went there and the officers told me that they knew nothing about this except customers telling them that.

    • Karma
      December 5, 2012

      Same thing happened to me.

    • strange
      December 6, 2012

      volay they volay. Taking plp things and going home with it. they r well aware but refuse to do so for their own motives. Bram bram later for them.

      • retired civil servan
        December 6, 2012

        Custom officers can feed themselves, They do not need to vole the little rice and sugar from nobodys barrel. Stop giving people bad name.

    • Yes Fada!
      December 6, 2012

      Print the news item and go Ministry for Blackmoore to stamp and sign…maybe is that they want as proof. Comess they have in their tail!

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