A motion for the approval of integrated customs tariff amendment regulations was passed in the House of Assembly on Tuesday evening, June 28, 2022, despite the dissent of Opposition members.
Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr Ellis Webster, presented the Motion to the House noting that the intention of the Regulation is to update the declaration form on imports and exports to ensure that the right duty is paid on goods imported to Anguilla, and to remove the duty on some products – including electric vehicles and sanitary products.
Opposition Leader, Mrs Cora Richardson-Hodge, argued that while the regulation points to the updating of goods and duty rates, and while some items are duty-free, the regulation also makes reference to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) – an issue that continues to be hotly contested.
Mrs Richardson-Hodge said that the Opposition continues to oppose the GST, not necessarily because it is a specific tax, but because of how it is created and implemented.
“In terms of how we move forward, in terms of the integrated customs tariff regulations – which lists GST on every single page of the 585-page document outlining the 13% – it would be remiss of me, having objected to the implementation of the GST in the way in which it was implemented wholesale, and earlier than was anticipated, not to raise this concern and objection and bring it to this House representing the people,” the Opposition Leader stated.
Premier Dr Webster rebuffed the Opposition’s argument, noting that it was the former AUF administration that signed an MOU with the British Government for approval of fund assistance following Hurricane Irma.
“…And then you had to borrow $59 million from the Caribbean Development Bank. There had to be some commitment to raising that revenue. That commitment – from the former administration – was the Goods and Services Tax (GST),” Dr Webster stated.
Following discussion on the merits of the Motion, Dr Webster again presented the Customs Tariff Amendment Regulations to the House. The Motion was passed without amendments.
