GRA says systems in place to deal with used tyres
The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) says that systems are in place for the effective implementation of restrictions on used-tyre imports.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Deputy Commissioner of Customs and Trade Administration, Rohan Beekhoo explained that the authority has several control mechanisms in place to ensure that the correct procedures are followed when applying the law.
These measures according to the GRA include stringent risk management practices, enforcement checks, inventories, and Customs examinations at the wharves, ports of entry, and premises.
Beekhoo explained that while the importation of used tyres for sale has been restricted since April 1, 2017 when used tyres are presented with the vehicles, they can be allowed entry with the vehicles once the tyres have a minimum of 6mm tyre depth. These tyres have also been attracting a fine but from June 1.
Officers have been presented with tyre depth gauges which would be used at the point of importation to ascertain compliance in the absence of which a fine would be issued.
Meanwhile, Commissioner General, Godfrey Statia explained that there is unlikely to be a reduction in revenue from the used tyre industry until next year since many dealers have stockpiled the product.
“The importers were given long notices so they stocked up. They imported a whole set of tyres,” Statia explained before noting than one dealer’s attempts to create a stockpile led to him paying GRA a large fine when 11 containers arrived at the wharf after the restriction was in place.
That particular dealer was fined $600 per tyre after appealing an initial fine of $1,000 per tyre.
The categories of vehicles for which the used tyres are restricted include motor cars, vans, sport utility vehicles, pick-ups, buses and similar vehicles.
The restriction excludes heavy-duty vehicles including trucks, lorries, vehicles used in the agricultural and industrial sector and special purpose vehicles. Fines range from $10,000 for cars, vans, minibuses to $15,000 for SUVs and pickups
Importers are free to clear their vehicles with the used tyres once they have paid the fines applicable. One of the four men who allegedly robbed air conditioning technician, Richard Govinda of his licensed firearm and other items on Wednesday morning was yesterday charged and remanded to prison.
Keevon Gulliver, 21, of Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara pleaded not guilty to armed robbery when he appeared at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Rushell Liverpool.
He is accused of robbing Govinda of a .32 semi-automatic Taurus pistol, several matching rounds, a cell phone and a quantity of cash on June 7 at a bar in Uitvlugt, WCD.
Gulliver was arrested on Thursday and placed on an ID parade during which he was positively identified.
Forty-seven-year-old Govinda of Lot 169 Para Field, Leonora, WCD was stabbed and robbed early Wednesday morning after four men posing as customers launched an attack at the bar.
The police in a press release had said that during the attack which occurred at about 1am, Govinda was stabbed in his left hand and thigh with broken bottles. He was taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital where he was treated and sent away.