Basseterre, St. Kitts, February 11, 2021 (SKNIS): The Immigration Department completed its introduction of new uniforms across the Federation this week as part of efforts to mould its identity as an independent institution. Immigration Officers in St. Kitts and Nevis turned out to work smartly dressed donning the new blue button-down tops and dark grey bottoms, with shoulder straps that display one, two, or three bars depending on the Officer’s rank.
The Immigration Department previously fell under The Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force. It was made a separate entity in July 2018 with former Assistant Commissioner of Police, Merclyn Hughes, at the helm as the first-ever Chief Immigration Officer. Since that time, under her leadership, steps have been taken to shape the image of the Department. A logo was created and social media platforms, in addition to a webpage, are being developed. The new uniforms are the latest step towards achieving this goal.
Ms. Hughes registered how pleased she was to see the Immigration Officers sporting the new uniforms.
“I think this uniform makes us look more like the law-enforcing body that we are. With Officers posted around the Federation at ports of entry, they help to create the first impression visitors get of the country, so it is important that they look the part, in addition to being professional on the job,” Ms. Hughes said. “We have immigration officers at the RLB International Airport, then we have at the private jet facility, that is, the Kayan Jet section, we have Officers at the Port Zante Marina, Marina Telca at New Guinea, and Christophe Harbour on the Peninsular. Then in Nevis, there are Officers at the Vance W. Amory International Airport, as well as the Long Point and Charlestown Piers. We also want to be a body that nationals can take pride in because of the way we present ourselves.”
Deputy Immigration Officer, Jacqueline Browne, was assigned to the Department for several years prior to its separation. Formerly an inspector of Police, she is excited about the changes being made.
“The new uniform was made by Sun Island Clothes and it has really been a long time in the making. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the launch was pushed back, but we are finally here, and we are very pleased with the results. I think with the new look, the team feels re-energized, reinvigorated, and motivated to carry out our mission to provide an efficient and professional service to all arriving and departing our ports, to prevent illegal entry of persons, and to liaise with local, regional and international agencies, and to be seen to be discharging the function in a courteous and friendly manner,” Ms. Browne added.
The Officers gave the new uniforms their nod of approval and disclosed that they were thrilled with the direction of the Department.
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, January 29 2021 (ZIZ News) As part of activities to observe International Customs Day, the Customs and Excise Department held a Customs Officer Appreciation Luncheon at Customs Headquarters on Thursday.
5 former Customs employees were awarded for their service to the department over the years.
Public Relations officer for the Customs Department Kishma Griffin noted that the honouress have contributed greatly to the department’s success, hence the importance of the ceremony.
Acting Comptroller of Customs, Jomo Butler said the Customs Department is eternally grateful for the work the honourees have put in over the years.
The recipients present to receive their awards were Clement Duporte, Edwin Charles and Trevor Henville.
Kurt Liburd accepted on behalf of Patricia Liburd and Jevon Gumbs accepted on behalf of Janice Pemberton.
The International Customs Day week of activities was held under the theme “Bolstering Recovery, Renewal & Resilience”
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Basseterre, St. Kitts, January 26 2021 (ZIZ News) The St. Kitts Nevis Customs & Excise Department is joined its regional and international counterparts in celebrating 2021 on Tuesday.
Activities for this year’s observation are being celebrated under the theme “Bolstering Recovery, Renewal & Resilience”.
Public Relations Officer at the St. Kitts Nevis Customs and Excise Department, Kishma Griffin spoke of the significance of this theme and how the department was able to apply it to its daily operations.
She said a number of the activities to celebrate World Customs Day this year had to be scaled down due to the on-going pandemic.
Other activities to commemorate World Customs Day include a Customer Appreciation Day on Friday where persons clearing packages will receive a small token of appreciation.
]]>BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, January 01, 2021 (Press Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister) – Understanding the challenges being faced by international shipping agencies as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and its subsequent impact on the timely importation of goods into the Federation, the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis has taken the decision to extend its duty free concession on goods to January 31, 2021.
“My Government has been attentive to the concerns from various local couriers, shipping agents and their customers, as it relates to the delivery of goods by suppliers in the United States of America to their facilities in Miami. The said goods should have arrived in the Federation in December, 2020. However, due to backlogs in Miami, these goods did not arrive by the December 31, 2020 deadline. Accordingly, our citizens and residents could not benefit from the usual US$200.00 concessionary allowance on their imports. In light of this, it is agreed that to facilitate non-commercial entities importing goods, the allowances will be extended to January 31, 2021,” Prime Minister Harris said in his 2021 New Year’s Day Address to the nation.
This means that gift packages of foodstuff up to 400 pounds in weight are allowed free of duty and taxes, and non-commercial imports are granted duty-free allowance of EC$540 or US$200 off the Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF) value of goods.
Mindful of the economic impact of the pandemic locally, the Team Unity Government has also introduced a number of new measures designed to ease the burden on business entities.
Prime Minister Harris said, “We will extend the due date for the payment of Businesses and Occupation Licenses for all Businesses from January 31, 2021, until March 31, 2021; ensure that the Inland Revenue Department works with affected businesses to help them stay current with their existing tax liabilities by allowing them to enter low-interest payment plans to ease their cash flow situations, and taxi and tour operators unable to pay their Businesses and Occupation Licenses for 2020 and 2021 would be allowed to license their vehicles provided that they enter into a payment plan for the settlement of any outstanding Businesses and Occupation Licenses.”
In his 2021 Budget Address, the honourable prime minister announced the extension of nine of the measures in the Government’s $120-million stimulus package.
Some of the stimulus measures that were extended to June 2021 are the removal of VAT and Import Duty on hygiene items; the removal of Import Duty and Customs Service Charge on vegetables, fruits, fruit juices, cough and cold preparations and vitamins; waiver of payments for the consumption of water for individuals who have been laid off or have experienced a reduction in earnings as a consequence of COVID-19; 24 percent reduction of the Corporate Income Tax rate from 33 percent to 25 percent for businesses that retain at least 75 percent of their employees and the reduction of the unincorporated business tax rate by 50 percent.
]]>NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (December 22, 2020) — The Nevis Air and Sea Ports Authority (NASPA), on Monday, December 21, 2020, recognised four street cleaners at the Ministry of Health for their contribution to keeping Charlestown clean.
Mr. Donald Browne; Mr. Raoul Archibald; Mr. Joseph Prince; and Mr. Lester Nisbett were awarded at a ceremony at the Charlestown Sea Port as part of NASPA’s annual community outreach programme. They were presented with a certificate of appreciation and a gift basket for their contribution to keeping Charlestown clean.
Mr. Kenny Warner, Operations Supervisor at the Charlestown Sea Port, explained the purpose of the event.
“Every year at NASPA, we thank our sanitation workers in Charlestown for keeping the area clean and tidy. They have kept the city clean throughout the whole year, especially during this COVID-19 pandemic, where cleanliness is so important and vital to keeping us and the community safe.
“As a port authority, we are very grateful for the sanitation workers, and we want to show our appreciation for all the hard work that they do throughout the year,” he said.
Ms. Loretta France, Human Resource Manager; and Ms. Michelle Lawrence, Administrative Officer, presented the gift baskets.
The street cleaners in Charlestown have been recognized by NASPA for the past six years during the Christmas season for their committed service to the community.
]]>BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, December 17, 2020 (Press Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister) – With the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic expected to spill over into the year, the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis has taken the proactive decision to extend nine of the 17 measures outlined in its comprehensive $120-million stimulus package introduced in March of this year.
This was one of the major initiatives outlined by Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris, when he presented the tax-free 2021 Budget on Tuesday, December 15.
The nine stimulus interventions that were extended are:
In making the announcement, Prime Minister Harris stated that, “We believe, Mr. Speaker, that the extension of these measures would help to advance the recovery process and, most importantly it would extend important lifelines to affected families and businesses.”
The extension of these measures have been welcomed by the St. Kitts and Nevis Chamber of Industry and Commerce, with its President Mrs. Giselle Matthews stating that these will help to regenerate the Federation’s economy.
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BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, December 16, 2020 (Press Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister) – Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris delivered his 2021 Budget Address on Tuesday, December 15 to a packed hall of senior government officials, representatives of the diplomatic and consular corps and business leaders at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort.
The much anticipated address highlighted, inter alia, the St. Kitts and Nevis Government’s plans and programmes that will help to stimulate the Federation’s recovery efforts and minimize the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on the economy.
Among the interventions listed by Prime Minister Harris was the Government’s decision to extend a number of offerings first outlined in the $120-million stimulus package, originally announced in March 2020 to help cushion the economic and health fallout from the coronavirus pandemic.
Some of the stimulus measures that were extended to June 2021 are the removal of VAT and Import Duty on hygiene items; the removal of Import Duty and Customs Service Charge on vegetables, fruits, fruit juices, cough and cold preparations and vitamins; waiver of payments for the consumption of water for individuals who have been laid off or have experienced a reduction in earnings as a consequence of COVID-19; 24 percent reduction of the Corporate Income Tax rate from 33 percent to 25 percent for businesses that retain at least 75 percent of their employees and the reduction of the unincorporated business tax rate by 50 percent.
This decision is being welcomed by the St. Kitts and Nevis Chamber of Industry and Commerce.
Chamber President, Mrs. Giselle Matthews, in a post-Budget address interview hosted by ZIZ Broadcasting Corporation, said, “I think the [Budget] presentation spoke to regenerating the economy and in doing so, one of the private sector on a whole and the business community would be pleased with is that the Government was able to continue the reduction in the tax breaks that they’ve given to businesses. Unincorporated tax to 50 percent extended down to June of 2021, so that’s part of the stimulus package which will continue. A reduction in corporate tax rate from 33 percent to 24 percent which is also extended to June 2021.”
Prime Minister Harris stated that his Government is of the view that “the extension of these measures would help to advance the recovery process and, most importantly for my people-centered administration, is the fact that it would extend important lifelines to families and businesses.”
President Matthews also pointed to other positive indicators outlined in the prime minister’s Budget Address such as the increase in the application for new business licences this year.
“I think they have had many applications for new businesses which shows that even with COVID there is still some sort of activity taking place and that people are encouraged to open new businesses, and a real thrust towards supporting those businesses and individuals on a whole with the stimulus package that can allow people to spend some money and put money into the economy,” Mrs. Matthews added.
President Matthews was also encouraged by the Government’s added interest in the development of the agricultural and fisheries sector.
The waiver of payments for the consumption of water by farmers was also among the stimulus measures extended into 2021.
Furthermore, the Government intends to inject an additional $5 million over two years to boost production in the agricultural sector to ensure greater food security for the Federation.
]]>NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (December 15, 2020) — A senior officer at the Custom and Excise Department, Nevis Division is reminding the public of an important procedure they must follow when goods are being cleared.
Mr. Roger Fyfield, Assistant Comptroller attached to the Division told the Department of Information of December 14, 2020, that they are critical documents necessary for clearing goods on behalf of others.
“I just want to take this opportunity to remind you the general public also of the Authorisation Form. If you are unable to clear your package and you want someone to clear it on your behalf, we are asking you kindly to send a note to the Customs or you can go on to the Customs website www.skncustoms.com and the permission slip is on there that you can download and you complete it.
“We are also asking you to provide the Customs with a picture ID of yourself. That’s a government-issued picture ID, of course, one that is valid and one that bears your signature, and the person who is clearing your package too is also required to bring a valid government-issued picture ID to Customs,” he said.
Mr. Fyfield also addressed the process the Customs Department is using to determine the fees to paid on packages due to the Federal government’s Christmas concessions on some imported goods.
“The government, they have been kind and gracious to us all by providing the Christmas package…Once you import during the month of December from the 1st December to 31st December and you would have cleared your goods during that particular time frame, you would be allowed 400 pounds of food stuff absolutely free. On non-food stuff items, you would get [an] allowance or exemption of US$200 or EC$540…
“If you order a cell phone and it comes in and your cell phone costs US$300, what we will do at the Customs, we will subtract the US$200 and so…the taxes and duties will be levied on US$100, So that’s how that works,” he said.
The Senior Customs Officer explained further on how the concession is applied.
“How it works is per shipment. It is not per piece. You may have a particular shipment that may have 10 pieces or three pieces, you would not get the exemption on each of the pieces. The 10 pieces or how many ever that would be your shipment, and so the total Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF) would be added and then the US$200 would be subtracted from that.
“So it is per shipment and not per piece but of course, if you import this week, if you import next week or when you import that is fine because it is per shipment and not per piece. I hope that I have made myself clear, and I hope by doing so persons would better understand and have a better idea of how things work so you can plan accordingly,” he said.
In closing, Mr. Fyfield extend Season’s Greetings to all.
“On behalf of the management and staff of the Customs and Excise Department, Nevis Division, [I] to wish everyone a happy and Merry Christmas and a bright and prosperous 2021,” he said.
]]>Bird Rock, Basseterre, St.Kitts (Tuesday 08thDecember 2020): The St. Christopher Air & Sea Ports Authority (SCASPA) in collaboration with the St Kitts Customs and Excise Department (CED) has implemented new covid-19 safety cargo clearance procedures to facilitate the quick release of cargo specifically for the December 2020 peak season.
An integral part of the New Covid-19 Cargo Clearance procedure is its Cargo Examination/management; to reduce contact with the general public and ensure the continuity of the operation, all personal cargo will now be pre-examined and assessed by both SCASPA and CED prior to the Customers’ arrival to clear them. Cargo assigned to the students at the Medical Schools will now be examined and assessed offsite.
The Agents and Shippers are now tasked with the responsibility to;
⦁ Submit/upload their manifest and riders in a timely manner to both SCASPA and Customs 48 hours prior to vessel arrival.
⦁ Inform the customer of the time when their cargo would be ready and available for release through the online (SCASPA) Port Portal https://www.scaspa.com/cargo/
⦁ Provide shipping information to the CED, including invoices. This will allow for the CED to assign early charges to the Customer to facilitate payment. Customers will pay for their goods on compound in the SCASPA waiting area.
Customers will now access the Customs and Port Authority via the following new process for the clearance of cargo;
Step 1: NEW Assemble Point. Customers will assemble at the empty lot adjacent to the Customs entry point at Bird Rock which has transformed into a comfortable screening section with tents and barricades for Customers seeking entrance into the compound. Adequate parking space is also available.
Step 2: Covid-19 Safety Protocols. Customers are required to wear a face mask, sanitize their hands, and have a temperature check before entering the line.
Step 3: Documents for goods. Once entrance to the line is permitted, customers will then present their documents to the Customs Officers, who will then confirm the availability of their goods.
In the event the cargo is unavailable for clearance, the Customs Officer will provide a copy of a pamphlet, which provides information about the availability of cargo, using the SCASPA website (https://www.scaspa.com/cargo/) and the customs hotline (TBA).
Persons are not be permitted to wait in area if cargo is not available.
Step 4: Ticket number issued. Once your cargo is available for clearance, the customer is required to present a government issued ID to the Customs Officer. A ticket number will then be issued to signify order of entrance into the Customs/SCASPA shed.
Customers are advised not to leave the area with the number given and in any event the customer is not present when the number is called, the process will have to be repeated and a new number will be allotted.
Step 5: Entering the Customs Compound. A Customs representative is positioned at the entrance to check for the ticketed number and inform customers when it is their turn to enter the compound to clear their goods.
Step 6: Hold on to your number. To maintain order and fairness in the processing of customers, the number given to the customer by the CED will be recognized throughout the clearance process.
Step 7: Walk-in ONLY. The Customer will be permitted to enter the compound by foot. No vehicles would be allowed onto the facility without a gate pass.
It is important to note that no more than (ten) 10 Customers will be allowed to enter the compound at any one time. Special preferences will be given to the elderly, Medical personnel, and essential workers (with ID). CHILDREN ARE NOT ALLOWED TO ENTER THE COMPOUND.
As facilitators of trade, the St. Christopher Air & Sea Ports Authority (SCASPA) has made a significant stride to execute the speedy release of cargo with the erection of two (2) temporary Transit Sheds added to the operation; Temporary Transit Shed 5 is located on the outside of Transit Shed 1 while Temporary Transit Shed 4 is located at the container offloading platform situated next to Shed 2.
Transit Shed 1 & Temporary Transit Shed 5 Operates Commercial cargo. All cargo from the King Ocean vessels (commercial/personal) is now released at Shed 2 at the lawn adjacent to the concrete slap.
Transit Shed 2 & Temporary Transit Shed 4 Operates Personal Cargo ONLY while
Transit Shed 3 continues to operate all air cargo.
At each Transit Shed, customers are processed by the following:
⦁ Upon entering the Customer section of the Transit Shed, the Customer is directed to sanitize their hands by utilizing the Hand Sanitizing Dispenser that is located at the entrance of the facility.
⦁ The Customer is then proceeded to the Waiting Lounge and join in line where they will be required to observe the social distancing protocol by adhering to the signs and markings on the floor. No more than 10 Customers are allowed inside the Waiting Lounge.
⦁ At the counter, the Customer will present their document to the Customs Cashier.
⦁ The Customs Cashier will then examine the documents to ensure that they are in order and collect any outstanding charges owed by the Customer.
⦁ After the Customer would have paid all outstanding customs dues, the Cashier will then issue a receipt to the customer and the customer will move on to the port cashier.
⦁ The Customer will present their documents to the Port Cashier and the Port Cashier will examine the documents, to ensure that they are in order and collect any charges owed by the Customer.
⦁ After the Customer would have paid all port charges, the Cashier will then give a receipt and a Gate Pass to the Customer.
⦁ The Cashier will then give a ticket to the handyman who will then proceed to the back of the Transit Shed to retrieve the cargo. It is the desire that the provision of information by CED concerning consignments of waiting customers, will allow consignments to be brought forward prior to customers reaching the customer section of the port office.
⦁ The Customer will then be directed to sit and wait while their cargo is being retrieved.
⦁ After the cargo has been retrieved, the Customer will then be called to collect their cargo.
⦁ If the Customer has their own vehicle, then the customer will proceed back out to the Security Gate where they will show the Gate Pass to the Officers at the Security Gate. The Officer will then allow the Customer to reenter the compound with their vehicle to collect their cargo.
⦁ Any additional person entering with the Customer will be screened at the access point. They will be required to wear a mask, sanitize their hands, and take a temperature check prior to entrance.
⦁ The Customer will then reenter the Transit Shed and give their Gate Pass to the SCASPA Security Officer (SO).
⦁ A handyman or the Forklift Operator will then take the cargo outside to the Customer’s vehicle.
⦁ In the case that the Customer chooses to use the services of a Trucker, then the Customer will identify the Trucker and the Handyman/Forklift Operator will take the cargo to the Trucker’s vehicle.
To more efficiently serve the general public during this busy season, SCASPA in joint forces with the St. Kitts Customs & Excise Dept, have extended Opening hours from;
⦁ Monday 7th – Friday 11th December: 8:00 a.m -5:00 p.m.
⦁ Monday 14th – Friday 18th December: 8:00 a.m -6:00 p.m.
⦁ Saturday 12th & 19th December: 8:00 a.m -1:00 p.m.
The newly established Covid-19 cargo clearance procedures were designed to uniquely develop new means of cargo clearance for all parties of the clearance process including agents/shippers, SCASPA Cargo Operation personnel, Truckers, Customs Officers and ultimately the Customers.
This new arrangement seeks to address the many obstacles encountered by both Customs and SCASPA in previous years with the massive increase of cargo during the Christmas season, also known as the peak season.
In recent times, within the context of Covid-19, these new procedures are intended to guide the way forward in achieving the main objective, which is, the timely and safe clearance of cargo.
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, November 24, 2020 (SKNIS): Abdias Samuel, Chair of the National COVID-19 Task Force, appealed to all travelers arriving in St. Kitts and Nevis to upload certified and accurate test results and other pertinent information to knatravelform.kn for smooth processing of their online immigration and customs forms, as well as entry into the Federation.
“Persons are uploading receipts and things that cannot be verified and that will not be accepted. Please ensure that when you upload your test it verifies everything – the lab, the location of the lab, and the information…,” said Mr. Samuel during a special National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) COVID-19 Briefing on November 24, 2020.
Mr. Samuel said that persons who are using home kit testing and others will not be accepted.
“The Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction [Laboratory Based Molecular Test] is what will be accepted and not any rapid test or any other type of test. It is very important that you do so and if you do not do so and there is no means of verifying these tests your application will not be processed.”
He noted that persons who are uploading incorrect information are putting others at risk.
“We are seeing a number of irregularities as it regards to the approval process where persons are attempting to circumvent the system with uploading wrong test, wrong information and doing other things in order for them to travel,” he said. “You are jeopardizing the travelers who are travelling with you, you are jeopardizing the country at large and everybody else that you come into contact with. We are appealing to everyone who wants to travel to St. Kitts and Nevis to do so and do so the right way.”
He reiterated that the right way is to visit knatravelform.kn and follow the requirements.
Mr. Samuel thanked the team responsible for the vetting process and noted that they are going above and beyond the call of duty to ensure that travelers understand the requirements.
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, November 17, 2020 (SKNIS): Frontline workers and members of the National COVID-19 Task Force in St. Kitts and Nevis, who were instrumental in ensuring that citizens and residents remain safe and secure during the COVID-19 Pandemic over the past several months and in the immediate future came in for high praise during the Sitting of Parliament on Tuesday, November 17, 2020.
Special mention was made of Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Hazel Laws; Medical Chief of Staff at the Joseph Nathaniel France (JNF) General Hospital, Dr. Cameron Wilkinson, and Abdias Samuel, Chair of the National COVID-19 Task Force.
“Their leadership, selflessness, sacrificial guidance, their love of country were evident in the long hours, the advice, the spur of the moment, arrival at meetings that were important and their leadership of the Task Force by extension,” said the Honourable Senator Wendy Phipps, Minister of International Trade, Industry, Commerce, Consumer Affairs and Labour. “We at the same time would have to give due credit to the security forces of our country, our frontline workers, Immigration, Customs, SCASPA, NEMA, the St. Kitts Tourism Authority who were all part and parcel of the thrust towards getting the COVID-19 Pandemic under control.”
Minister Phipps also recognized the COVID-19 Compliance Task Force who continues to professionally execute its duties.
“At the same time, we also thank those workers, the compliance officers, who would have laboured continuously in terms of making sure that the non-pharmaceutical protocols are in place to this point to save lives since there is still no vaccine regardless of what AstraZeneca, Moderna, and others would have touted as their 95 percent or 90 percent efficacy in terms of getting close to a vaccine that should deal with the pandemic,” said the minister. “But in the interim, these are the people we must rely on and while we continue within the context of the State of Emergency we still would require their services and their selflessness when it comes to their own personal time and families that would have been sidelined in the interest of national development, and again out of love of country.”
Deputy Speaker, Senator the Honourable Bernicia Nisbett, shared similar sentiments and recognized those who played a pivotal role in the safety of all. She recognized them for being exemplary and outstanding in their duties “by keeping this Federation relatively safe during this pandemic.”
“Mr. Speaker, as the numbers increased, the Task Force went back to the drawing board to strategize the best course of action that can be taken to comeback the spread of COVID-19 in our Federation,” said Dr. Nisbett.
Dr. Nisbett used the occasion to thank all the healthcare frontline workers; the district medical officers; the doctors in medical institutions; the matron at JNF General Hospital; the community and hospital nurses; the emergency medical technicians; the lab technicians; the orderlies and auxiliary staff “for the tremendous job they do every day to ensure the safety of our nation.”
]]>BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, November 17, 2020 (Press Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister) – Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris, has reaffirmed that the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis has no intention of introducing Personal Income Tax or increasing Corporate Income Tax.
The prime minister made this statement during the Tuesday, November 17 Sitting of the National Assembly in response to the misinformation that is presently in the public domain surrounding the tabling of the Income Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2020.
Prime Minister Harris said the Amendments to the Bill seek to clarify the application of taxation to ensure full compliance with international good governance standards.
“Specifically, Mr. Speaker, the Amendments will ensure that we meet our commitments to the EU and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and avoid the reputational damage and consequential financing costs which come with blacklisting. As a responsible Government and highly respected member of the international community my Government cannot shirk from our obligations even when they are inconvenient,” Dr. Harris stated.
The prime minister further noted that this is not the first time legislative amendments are being made in St. Kitts and Nevis in response to changing international regulations and practices.
Prime Minister Harris said, “Over the last 20 plus years, the country’s National Assembly has had to make amendments to a range of Tax regimes that was deemed inconsistent by the EU or OECD. At the level of the Nevis Island Assembly, it too has had to respond with amendments to the Nevis Business Corporation Ordinance and the Nevis Limited Liability Company Ordinance in order to ensure compliance with international tax good governance principles.”
“Our efforts over the last four years to act in a timely manner led to St. Kitts and Nevis in February 2020 being removed from the EU’s list of non-cooperative jurisdictions,” Dr. Harris added.
The honourable prime minister said the records will show that his Team Unity administration over the last five years has managed the country well, achieving unprecedented surpluses year after year, without introducing one single new Tax measure.
“We are a Government disposed to keeping taxes low. The record is also pellucidly clear that for the last five years my Team Unity Government has not introduced any new taxes. Instead, we have reduced the tax burden of our people by removing VAT from all food items, educational supplies and funeral expenses. Mr. Speaker, we went even further and more recently, as part of our stimulus package in response to the negative impact of COVID-19, we have instituted a series of tax breaks for the benefit of taxpayers large and small,” Prime Minister Harris said.
The Government’s comprehensive stimulus package provided for the removal of VAT and Import Duty on additional hygiene items and the removal of Import Duty and Customs Service Charge on selected food items for a period of six months; reducing the Corporate Income Tax rate from 33 percent to 25 percent, and reducing the Unincorporated Business Tax rate by 50 percent, from 4 percent to 2 percent, for a period of six months.
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, October 28th , 2020 (ZIZ News):
By: Chaïra Flanders
A new Immigration and Customs form is being launched today, Wednesday October 28 2020 for travellers preparing to visit St. Kitts and Nevis after the reopening of borders on Saturday October 31.
This was revealed by Chief Immigration Officer, (CIO) Merclyn Hughes during Tuesday’s edition of Leadership Matters on ZIZ. She used the opportunity to inform the public that all persons seeking entry must meet specific requirements.
“All travellers to St. Kitts and Nevis, must complete a pre-arrival Online Immigration and Customs form at least 24 hours before arrival. The online form will also include personal health information which includes evidence of a negative COVID-19 PCR Test done within 72 hours or 3 days of travel”, she said.
Hughes also highlighted the importance of having a valid email to allow a smooth process of form submission.
“Passengers must have a valid email and once the form is completed and submitted, the passenger will receive an automatic reply in that email thanking you for successfully submitting your form. The information would be reviewed by agents from Immigration. Customs, Health and the Ministry of National Security. Upon approval, passengers will be notified by email with further instructions on entry into St. Kitts and Nevis”, the CIO explained.
She said in the case where a passenger is rejected, that individual will be notified and advised to contact the Ministry of National Security. Once approval is granted to enter St. Kitts and Nevis, a confirmation email will be sent.
The CIO outlined the steps that follow the confirmation email once permission to enter the twin island federation has been granted.
“The email must be saved to a mobile device or it must be printed. The information which includes a receipt number and a QR Code which must be presented to Immigration and Customs official upon arrival”, she explained.
The new immigration form will be launched at a special National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) briefing at the Royal St. Kitts Hotel later this afternoon.
The online form will be available at www.knatravelform.kn
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, August 3, 2020 (SKNIS): Attorney General, the Honourable Vincent Byron, supported the bill entitled the Advance Cargo Information Bill, 2020, during the sitting of the National Assembly on September 3, 2020. The mover of the bill was Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris.
In his presentation, the Attorney General said, “that the bill seeks to facilitate the provision of advanced information relating to cargo onboard aircrafts of vessels entering and leaving the jurisdiction of St. Kitts and Nevis.”
“Mr. Speaker, the bill is based on a CARICOM regional initiative and the model law is intended to be implemented within a harmonized legal framework throughout the region. “In that connection, the bill would seek to provide for the sharing of information with other CARICOM member states with a view of enhancing border security control efforts in relation to the movement of cargo,” he said..
“Mr. Speaker, the bill is in fact a result of a number of years of collaborative work between the regional Customs departments and the joint regional communications Center (JRCC),” said the Attorney General.
He said that the JRCC is an agency responsible for both advanced passenger information and advanced cargo information in the region. “It is a clearing house of intelligence and information to help us in our security systems. Mr. Speaker, the regional cooperation on this matter is essential since the proper administration for advanced cargo information may be costly for customs and other stakeholders.”
“Mr. Speaker, at the national level, the bill would provide for better analysis for cargo entering and leaving the Federation…It is anticipated that the bill will facilitate the more efficacious utilisation of electronic advanced cargo information and relevant data sets of information to identify high risk cargo prior to arrival,” he said.
He also said that the Customs department will also be afforded additional time to scrutinize consignments prior to their arrival in the territory and to take appropriate steps for the purposes of safety and security.
“Mr. Speaker, the bill also seeks to ensure that the customs department is better able to separate cargo shipments in different categories and more efficiently, match resources to the specific small number of shipments that require the maximum intervention of the customs department,” said Attorney General Byron.
“In time Mr. Speaker, the enactment of this law would lead to the building of capacity to make more informed decisions on interdiction of goods at the borders and this would likely result in a more secure supply chain as well as enhanced trade facilitation and economic growth,” he said.
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, September 03, 2020 (SKNIS): St. Kitts and Nevis is one of the first countries within CARICOM to pass the Advance Cargo Information Bill, 2020 in the Federal Parliament on Thursday, September 03.
The Bill is to facilitate the provisions of advance information relating to cargo and passengers of a conveyance to share information with other states with a view to identifying cargo and persons that may pose risk to security while facilitating trade through electronic data interchange and for matters connected therewith.
The Advance Cargo Information Bill, 2020, was passed to strengthen border security and, through the Advance Cargo Information System (ACIS), it calls for the provision of advanced data or information to the Customs and Excise Department from cargo vessels entering the Federation’s ports.
“Mr. Speaker, when the Bill is passed it is anticipated that the information provided by the ACIS would help to ensure that the Customs and Excise Department would better be placed to protect the Federation and the region from threats emanating from international trade,” said Mover of the Bill, Prime Minister and Minister with responsibility for Customs Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris.
Dr. Harris indicated that other CARICOM territories would move to pass the said Bill.
“…it is important to note that the Bill we are moving through the Parliament would in a similar way be moved through all the Parliaments of member states of CARICOM as we move to have a harmonized piece of legislation everywhere compatible and in sync with each other so that information can be shared and the same approaches basically are being followed,” said Prime Minister Harris. “Mr. Speaker, with this in mind we are able to appreciate that in this regard it is not just one nation attempting on its own to serve its borders, it is all the member states of the CARICOM region which are attempting to do so.”
Prime Minister Harris said it was important for the CARICOM member states to move forward with harmonized policies that will benefit the people of the region
“So, in this manner Mr. Speaker, the forces of integration are saying instead of insularity we must show solidarity. The forces of integration recognize that the criminals have no respect for our borders and thus we must have a holistic and unified approach if we want to maintain in the context of St. Kitts and Nevis, a beautiful country in which peace abounds,” said the prime minister. “Mr. Speaker, it must be remembered that if we are moving towards deeper integration with the intent to encourage greater integrational trade and travel, we must be in a better position to mitigate the threats emanating from not only international but regional trade and travel.”
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