NASSAU, The Bahamas – The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA wishes to advise that the Ministry of Finance has extended the Exigency Order permitting residents whose properties were damaged during Hurricane Sandy, 2012, to import goods duty free for a further period of 90 days.
The Minister of Finance, on November 15, 2012, pursuant to the provisions of the Tariff Act, also declared that the goods be certified by the Director of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) or any of his duly appointed agents. The specified items permitted are building materials, electrical 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.
The Islands exempted are Abaco, Cat Island, Eleuthera, Exuma & Cays, Grand Bahama and Long Island. An individual located anywhere in The Bahamas who suffered hardship or loss of 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. The extension order commenced February 14, 2013.
