The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

Please permit me to express my views on the recently introduced “customs exempt app” which I was required to upload and populate on my return to my country of citizenship.

Despite its promotion as a tool of convenience for the traveling public, the introduction of this “Exempt App” speaks volumes of the extent to which the government will resort to make sure not one dollar escapes its wasteful hands.

The fact that the country is still so heavily reliant on customs duties from returning citizens and residents on items purchased abroad for their personal consumption and enjoyment, is an indictment on how we have mismanaged our financial affairs.

I expected with the introduction of VAT this would have been one of those revenue sources that would have been eliminated or at least further relaxed.

The introduction of this app, however, seems to run counter-wise to such an intention, and further suggests that the government is strengthening its ability to enforce such a levy and will be doing so for quite some time. Why else, make such an investment in this app?

I also find it personally embarrassing and insulting that after fifty years of self-governance, Bahamians upon returning to their home country, are still being asked by the government to disclose their purchases abroad right down to the purchase of personal items such as a pair of underwear, socks and female sanitary products.

And to add insult to injury, the government is now requiring Bahamians to find time on their travel schedule to take a photo of all purchase receipts and upload them to some “app” so that the government could be satisfied that they did not also purchase a pair of shoes or dog snacks. This is a classic case of enforcement overreach.

To me it makes no difference whether these items are tax exempt or not.

When the government reaches the point that it requires citizens to disclose and provide receipts on purchases, the likes of female sanitary products and deodorants, incontinence diapers, underwear, biscuits and crackers, dentures, etc., to name a few of the many items listed on the custom exempt app, the government in my view has crossed a line which I find demeaning to its citizens and insultingly embarrassing and unacceptable.

If such disclosures and searches were being done for the primary purposes of intercepting contrabands and illegal weapons or activity, I could understand and may find such measures reasonable, but such is not the case.

This is a measure introduced for no other purpose than to pick up a couple extra dollars at the airport to satisfy the government’s insatiable appetite for revenue.

Revenue, I might add, which the government is yet to demonstrate it can manage productively or wisely.

Would the country really suffer irreparable financial harm or collapse, if a returning citizen or resident happens to purchase a pair of socks or underwear or a tube of toothpaste and the government misses out on collecting a dollar or two in custom duties?

I am of the view that Bahamians ought to be allowed entry into this country with minimal interference or disclosures on where or what they have spent their money on while travelling abroad. Exception being in the case of investigating a criminal intent or occurrence.

I can for the time being, fully support the collection of customs duty on the importation of goods which are being imported in such quantities that it can be reasonably assumed, is for commercial trade rather than one’s personal use.

But what is now required by this exempt app for Bahamians to travel back to their country of citizenship is simply overreaching and an insult. It brings back the unpleasant memory of the travel visa requirement for Bahamians introduced under the last administration.

In my view, Bahamians with no more than one checked luggage and or a carry-on, should have the privilege of passing through the airport un-disturbed by the tax collectors, unless there is a reasonable suspicion of something unsavory or criminal going on.

The government ought to have what it takes to find a replacement source for the revenue that will be lost which should be relatively insignificant.

CLAUDE B HANNA

New Providence,

October 15, 2023.