The Ministry of Commerce, Manufacturing, Business Development, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs wishes to remind the general public that effective August 2, 2023 all sanitary napkins were zero-rated for Value Added Tax.
As an additional support measure to ensure consumers benefit from the 12.5% VAT reduction, the Cabinet of Ministers approved an amendment to the Price Control Order No. 54 of 2008 to include sanitary napkins on the list of price-controlled goods effective, Monday October 23, 2023 with a maximum wholesale mark-up of 30% and a maximum retail mark-up of 35%.
Importers are reminded that the prices of these essential items must now be approved by the Consumer Affairs Department prior to sale, according to Section 35 of the Distribution and Price of Goods Act Cap 13.09 of the Revised Laws of Saint Lucia.
Further, wholesalers should state ‘the retail price fixed’ on all invoices for price-controlled goods when these items are sold to retailers.
All stakeholders are reminded that as per Section 37 (1) a person shall not sell or offer for sale any good in excess of the maximum price fixed by the order.
Any contravention of this section is deemed an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or to both.
The Ministry of Commerce through the Consumer Affairs Department will continue to provide guidance to the business community to ensure compliance and invites consumers to contact the Department at 468-4239 or 468-4226, should you have any queries.
SOURCE: Ministry of Commerce, Manufacturing, Business Development, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs
10.00 for the cheapest ones at m &c vieux fort. Msssy in vieux fort town is a gone case. And let me say, the public can’t police every store for the government. They have price control people why these lazy government workers not doing their jobs at Massy store and the others? Why they not going to those and check out the prices? What is the purpose of this new complaint body if there is no price control to back up their work? How are the stores being held accountable for the rise in price? I guess Pierre will ask them to keep the tax that they collect from us instead just like he did before. Shut down certain supermarkets who violate the policy and put a government notice and police around it until they pay the fine. Show Massy you all serious.
I only use pads for leaving the house now. When at home I use old teeshirts.
Only now it is realised that this commodity is an essential product for women? At least something has been done. Thank you!!