NASSAU, The Bahamas – Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Rt. Hon. Perry Christie signed an Exigency Order that will allow residents who have been hard hit by Hurricane Sandy in October to bring in certain goods duty free for a period of three months. The order came into effect Thursday, November 15, 2012. It is pursuant to the provisions of item 12 of Part B of the Fourth Schedule to the Tariff Act, and Item 5 Part B of the Second Schedule the Excise Act.
The urgent need for goods specified in Schedule A, which the minister is satisfied are intended for the relief of residents in the islands of Abaco, Cat Island, Eleuthera, Exuma & Cays, Grand Bahama and Long Island who suffered loss as a result of the storm, and whose claims/applications in respect of such goods are certified by the Director of the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, or any of his duly appointed agents. The following is the list of goods permitted by the Minister of Finance to be imported duty free commencing November 15, 2012. Such goods are: Building materials, electrical fixtures and materials, plumbing fixtures and materials, household furniture fixtures, furnishing and appliances, freezers and heaters, materials for clean-up or repairs to property including fences, fishing boats, gear, parts and apparatus, farming equipment and utensils and motor vehicles.
An individual located anywhere in The Bahamas who suffered hardship or loss to property as a result of Hurricane Sandy may also apply for duty free relief which shall be certified by the appropriate official prior to granting of any such exemption. And, where any abuse or misuse of goods allowed under this declaration is observed, the goods may be seized and disposed of in accordance with Section 83 of the Customs Management Act.
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