Duty Free

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Extract from Freeprt News article relating to Jack Thompson's press conference in Marsh Harbour

"These two areas of relief are in addition to Customs Declaration of Exigency Order No. 3 for Abaco, in effect from September 3 to November 30, which allows duty free exemptions on such items as building materials, clothing, electrical materials, household furniture and appliances, medical supplies, plumbing materials, foodstuffs and water, among other things."

Full article

http://freeport.nassauguardian.net/national_local/281662139872168.php

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Abaco merchants assist in delivery of duty free goods

By RICHARD E. FAWKES



http://freeport.nassauguardian.net/temporaryimages/tm6744.jpg MARSH HARBOUR, Abaco — Mr. Lester Curry, a manager at Price Right Food Store, announced on Friday in Marsh Harbour that his staff was already adjusting prices to reflect the duty free status of foodstuffs and water under the hurricane relief Declaration of Exigency Order no. 3, issued by Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Perry Christie, effective from September 3 through November 30.

Mr. Curry was speaking at a press conference called by the government's coordinator for hurricane recovery and reconstruction in Abaco, Mr. Jack Thompson.

Also at that meeting was Abaco Hardware CEO Daren Albury, who announced that his company was also adjusting prices according to the exemption order on building materials.

Price Right and Abaco Hardware, along with Standard Hardware, have been contributing to the hurricane recovery efforts by helping to facilitate the availability of supplies under the exigency orders. They have dropped their prices to reflect the exemptions on goods they are now importing to relieve the burden on persons who cannot travel or have their own goods shipped to Abaco.

In the case of the hardware stores, exempted goods include batteries, building materials, electrical materials, plumbing supplies, water pumps, tools, and chainsaws. The order also allows duty-free importation of emergency communications equipment, generators, and motor vehicles, but these items must be specifically applied for to the Minister of Finance, through Mr. Jack Thompson's office.

The food stores are also able to bring in duty free disposable paper goods such as hand towels, plates, spoons, forks, and cups. Other items covered under the exigency order include clothing and footwear, household furniture, appliances, and utensils; medical supplies; and storage containers for water, garbage, etc.

In response to a question at the press conference about possible abuse by storing up of exempted goods for later sale, Chief Customs officer for Abaco, Mr. Gary Smith, said he had every confidence in the integrity of the merchants.

Mr. Albury informed the meeting that there was a 10 to 12-week wait for shipment of 20-year shingles, which he does not recommend because they seemed to have suffered the worst from the hurricanes.

On 30, 40, and 50-year shingles, the wait was 10 to 14 days. He suggested to Mr. Thompson and his colleagues that, in their recommendations to the government of preventative measures for the future, they suggest lowering the duty on metal roofing, presently at about 50 percent, but which promises the best protection in hurricanes.