{"id":345490,"date":"2025-07-28T08:13:20","date_gmt":"2025-07-28T12:13:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dominicanewsonline.com\/news\/?p=345490"},"modified":"2025-07-28T08:15:21","modified_gmt":"2025-07-28T12:15:21","slug":"dominica-government-announces-major-vat-and-import-duty-cuts-on-essential-food-items","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dominicanewsonline.com\/news\/homepage\/homepage-carousel\/dominica-government-announces-major-vat-and-import-duty-cuts-on-essential-food-items\/","title":{"rendered":"Dominica Government announces major VAT and import duty cuts on essential food items"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Finance Minister D. Irving McIntyre presenting the 2025 National Budget on Friday<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Finance Minister Dr. Irving McIntyre has announced major Value Added Tax (VAT) and import duty cuts on a number of essential food items in Dominica.<\/p>\n

During his presentation of the National Budget for the Fiscal Year 2025\/2026 last week, he said that the changes will take effect on October 1, 2025.<\/p>\n

According to him, the government is\u00a0fully aware of\u00a0its\u00a0citizens\u2019 concerns regarding the rising cost of living\u00a0and\u00a0has taken firm, targeted action to provide relief where it matters most.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne measure we have implemented is the removal of customs duties and Value Added Tax (VAT) on a range of essential food items,\u201d he said. \u201cThis policy is designed to ease the financial burden on households by reducing the cost of basic goods that form part of the daily diet of our people.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Presentation of Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The minister highlighted the list of items currently benefiting from these exemptions. That is, \u2018Food items with no import duty\u2019 chicken-backs and necks, rice,\u00a0\u00a0chicken- wings, oats, codfish, cream of wheat, herring, cooking oil, salted mackerel, sausage, milk, canned sardines, butter, canned mackerel, cheddar cheese, canned tuna, garlic, sugar, onion, pasta, spilt peas, couscous, red kidney beans, margarine, lentils, cereal (cornflakes, raisin bran), green tea, apple juice, black tea, infant formula, and flour.<\/p>\n

He also listed the food items not subject to VAT. These include: milk, flour, rice, sugar, infant formula, locally produced agricultural products, and locally produced bread and food items.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo continue supporting families across the country, we will be expanding the list of exempted items in the upcoming financial year for a period of six months,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n

The public will see the exemption of Value Added Tax expand to: blackeye peas, lentils, pigeon peas (cajanus cajan), cream of wheat, cornmeal, oats, luncheon meat, canned corned beef, canned herring, canned mackerel, cereals (wheat, bran, etc), biscuits, unsweetened orange juice, tomato ketchup, toothpastes, laundry detergent, toilet paper and sanitary napkins,\u00a0almond milk and soy milk.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Dr. McIntyre encourages the public to examine their consumption habits.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile government has taken steps to ease the burden, there are additional ways in which we, as individuals and households, can reduce expenses,\u201d he said. \u201cOne such measure is the revitalization of backyard gardening, which can provide fresh vegetables and herbs year-round, lower food bills, and promote healthier eating.\u201d<\/p>\n

He continued,\u00a0\u201cWe also encourage citizens to purchase local produce which is often more affordable and fresher than imported alternatives.\u201d<\/p>\n

He further affirmed that the government will continue to implement policies to ease the financial pressure on the public.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe, as citizens, must build a culture of financial mindfulness, resourcefulness, and community cooperation,\u201d Dr.McIntyre urged.\u00a0\u201cIt is this collective effort that will make our society more resilient and better equipped to withstand global economic pressures.\u201d<\/p>\n