Customs duty on 1600 items cut

Attorney-General and Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum last night announced Government’s plans to cut customs duty on 1600 items which will see the cost of imported goods reducing.

“We’re cutting customs duties on over 1600 items –– from toothbrushes to spectacle lenses, contact lenses and artificial eye solution; to testing equipment for businesses to help lower production costs; to life jackets, life belts and fire alarms to strengthen public safety; z to laundry detergent; to exercise books; z to hygiene products like deodorant and shampoos; to food items, like tomatoes, jams, soy sauce, salmon, sardines, cereals, sweet biscuits, potatoes, chocolates, pasta, baking powder and peanut butter; and on to other tourism-related equipment.

“On over 1000 items duties are falling to five per cent or zero per cent, and on more than 500 items, duty is falling from 32 per cent to 15 per cent.”