GNIC to charge $20,000 to scan each container

The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) yesterday said that in keeping with a Memorandum of Understanding between the Authority and the Guyana National Industrial Company (GNIC), a fee of $20,000 will be charged by GNIC for any container scanned at the Lombard Street facility.

A statement from the GRA yesterday said that the administration of this fee takes effect on August 27, 2018 and is necessary to recoup the GNIC’s administrative costs and allow for a return on its capital investment. Importers and Exporters are also advised that the GRA will waive the fees linked to manual inspections for containers scanned.

The statement said that Guyana is now in a position to adequately scan containers on a continual basis thereby facilitating reduced trade transaction costs and time for both imports and exports while simultaneously improving revenue collection. Universal scanning of outbound containers is compulsory in keeping with international maritime conventions on trade facilitation, the statement noted.

The GRA also said that in partnership with its sister agencies, relief measures will be implemented to ease traffic congestion and facilitate faster scanning of containers.

Exporters desirous of further information can contact the GNIC on telephone numbers 223-5887 or 223 9789.