Restructure and Unify the Existing Tariff Structure

It is estimated that there are over 30,000 customs duty rates on goods imported into Jamaica. These rates range from zero to as high as 200 per cent on different items depending on their end use. The overall average customs duty rate, however, is only eight per cent. The current system is far too complex and costly to navigate for business persons, and also makes the job of enforcement very challenging. A study should be commissioned urgently to devise a multi-stage, multi-year plan to reduce the number of rates with the goal of enacting a much simplified Tariff Structure. Again, since the current average collected rate is so low, it is unlikely that such a structure would lead to significant lost revenue for the Government.