Saint Lucian households will once again benefit from the government’s annual Christmas Barrel Trade Concession, offering financial relief for families importing personal items during the holiday season.
The Ministry of Finance, through the Customs and Excise Department, announced that the concession, approved under Cabinet Conclusion No. 910 of 2025, will run from October 15, 2025 to February 28, 2026. The programme offers a 100 per cent waiver of import duties on a range of essential goods including personal items, food, clothing, toys, and household consumables. However, electronic items remain excluded from this exemption.
Under the initiative, each household is allowed up to two barrels, with a maximum declared value of $3 000 per barrel. The concession strictly applies to goods intended for personal use, not for resale or commercial purposes. The Customs Department has reiterated that standard penalties and fines will be enforced for violations.
Additionally, the Cabinet has approved measures to exempt these barrels from both the Health and Citizen Security Levy (HSL) and the Value Added Tax (VAT), pending the enactment of the necessary legal provisions in Parliament.
Despite these waivers, barrels that meet the criteria will still attract a 6 per cent Customs Service Charge.
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