Chaguanas Chamber President: Customs Fee Hike Shouldn’t Hit Customers’ Pockets
President of the Chaguanas Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Baldath Maharaj, is urging traders and merchants to be considerate following the government’s decision to double several customs fees.
The increase will see container processing fees rise from $525 to $1,050 in one category and from $40 to $80 in another.
In an interview with TTT News, Mr Maharaj acknowledged that while any increase is undesirable, it should not affect the final costs borne by customers.
« Now in the scheme of things, a container costs north of $200,000 in the main. There are some containers a lot more expensive, some a bit cheaper, but when we look at the increase, that’s a 100% increase, which is $525 to $1,050 as a percentage of the actual value of the container, it is way less than 1%, and in our opinion that should not affect the end price of any goods and services. »
He also noted that customs fees had not been revised for many years, adding that governments still have the responsibility to cover costs and generate revenue.
Against this backdrop, Mr. Maharaj said the increase comes as no surprise.
« It is not that we welcome new taxes, but, quite frankly, it doesn’t impact anything, given that there has not been any increase over the last few years. I would ask the merchants to maintain price as far as possible, because, again, it is relatively nominal in the grand scheme of things. »
