Import Process Hurricane Relief Supplies

Under the Hurricane Dorian Exigency Order of September 2, 2019

From the Department of Inland Revenue and NEMA

https://inlandrevenue.finance.gov.bs/other/hurricane-dorian-exigency-order/

 

 

Under the Exigency Order, hurricane relief supplies can be imported into The Bahamas duty free and VAT free based on the conditions outlined in the Order. Importers must complete a simple, one-page application form to benefit from these tax breaks. The Bahamas Customs clearance process has also been simplified to facilitate the smooth release of hurricane relief supplies.

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WHO IS ELIGIBLE

 

Individuals and businesses are eligible to import tax free goods under the Exigency Order under the following three condition:

1. Imported goods fall under the approved list of items

   • For the next 30 days, bottled water, clothing, food for personal consumption and personal hygiene products will be duty free and VAT free for individuals and businesses importing these items as donations to registered charities.

   • For the next 90 days, medicine and medical supplies, building materials, tents, cots, bedding materials, mosquito nettings, electrical and plumbing fixtures and materials, household furniture, furnishings and appliances, and electrical generators will be duty free and VAT free for individuals and businesses importing these items as donations to registered charities.

2. The final destination of the imported goods is an approved island:

   • Abaco and the Abaco Cays

   • Grand Bahama Island

   • Sweetings Cay

   • Deep Water Cay

   • Water Cay

3. Imported goods will be used for:

   • charitable purposes to support restoration activities directly related to Hurricane Dorian.

   • by individuals who have directly suffered hardship or loss as a result of Hurricane Dorian.

 

WHAT IS THE PROCESS

 

STEP 1 – Complete an Exigency Order Form

• Download forms online or request a copy in-person at Customs.

• Exigency Forms: (September 2nd-

• Exigency Forms:  (Ending  October 15th,  2019)

  • FORM A – APPROVED GOODS – 30 Day Exigency Order Hurricane Dorian

  • FORM B – OTHER ITEMS – 30-Day Exigency Order Form for Hurricane Dorian

  • FORM C – 30-Day Exigency Order – Hurricane Dorian – Vehicles

• Form A is used to import Approved Goods. This form is processed and approved by Customs at
  the Border.

• For goods not included on the list, Form B is required to obtain Ministry of Finance approval.

• The individual importer or business importer that is requesting the tax relief should complete
  the relevant Exigency Order Form.

 

STEP 2 – Complete Relevant Customs Declaration Form

• C-18 for Unaccompanied Goods (e.g. Goods arriving on a private aircraft or charter plane)

• C-17 Accompanied Goods (e.g. When travelling through baggage claim at the airport or on
  private vessel/pleasure craft)

• C-13 Air Cargo or Sea Cargo (e.g. Goods arriving through a shipping company, freight forwarder,
  courier: DHL, Zipx, Betty K, etc.). This Customs form is typically complete by a broker or agent.

 

STEP 3 – Present Documents to Customs at Port of Entry

• Customs will be responsible for reviewing and approving documents at the Port of Entry.

 

NEED HELP?

The Customs Department, Ministry of Finance, and Department of Inland Revenue have dedicated officers to support individuals and businesses importing tax free goods under the Exigency Order.

The Customs Department, Ministry of Finance, and Department of Inland Revenue have dedicated officers to support individuals and businesses importing tax free goods under the Exigency Order.

 

Customs

Telephone Support: 376-7657, 604-3011, 604-3076, 604-3157

• Mark Daniels – markdaniels@bahamas.gov.bs (Nassau)

• Lorrain Smith – lorrainesmith@bahamas.gov.bs (Nassau)

• Clarkson Darville – clarksondarville@bahamas.gov.bs (Nassau)

• Cleveland Dawkins – clevelanddawkins@bahamas.gov.bs (Abaco)

• Celestine Cox – celestinecox@bahamas.gov.bs (Freeport)

• Larry Bodie – larrybodie@bahamas.gov.bs (Freeport)

Ministry of Finance – Revenue Department

• Sheronne Smith – sheronnesmith@bahamas.gov.bs

• Gia Williams – giawilliams-ferguson@bahamas.gov.bs

Department of Inland Revenue

• Gaynel Rolle –gaynellrolle@bahamas.gov.bs, 604-8070 (Nassau)

• Shunda Strachan – shundastrachan@bahamas.gov.bs, 6048073 (Nassau)

• Jamal Moss – jamaalmoss@bahamas.gov.bs (Nassau)

• Leo Hepburn – leohepburn@bahamas.gov.bs (Freeport)

• Crystal Spicer – CrystalSpicer@bahamas.gov.bs, 6990053 (Marsh Harbor, Abaco)