The Tribune

By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

THE exigency order declared in the wake of Hurricane Matthew will last for 180 days, effective from October 7, according to the order obtained by The Tribune.

The order will allow residents affected by the storm to import certain items into the country duty and tax-free.

Items that will be tax exempt include building materials, electrical fixtures and materials, plumbing fixtures and materials, household furniture, furnishing and appliances, bottled water, generators and motor vehicles.

The exigency order only covers New Providence, Grand Bahama, the Berry Islands and North and Central Andros.

“Customs duty and VAT exemption will be granted to registered charitable organisations, and individuals whose loss by Hurricane Matthew has been verified by NEMA,” the order says. “All other authorised donations will be deemed a gift to the government and will be received and distributed by NEMA.”

The minister of finance, Prime Minister Perry Christie, may decide to extend the exigency order beyond its April 4, 2017 deadline.

The order further says: “The waiver of departure tax for noncommercial flights bringing in relief goods and customs processing fees on imports in the islands mentioned is only permitted for a period of three months commencing on the 7th day of October.”

Residents will only be allowed to import bottled water duty-free for 60 days, however.

And duty exemptions on cars will be based on the “market value of the vehicle destroyed on the date of the hurricane,” the order says.

“In the event the minimum value is less than $5,000 on the date of the hurricane a value of $5,000 would be used. The destroyed vehicle must be turned over to the authority of the Customs Department in all instances.”

Hurricane Matthew ripped through the Bahamas last week, leaving destruction in New Providence, Grand Bahama, Andros and the Berry Islands.