$20,000 fee for scanning containers

In keeping with a Memorandum of Understanding between the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the Guyana National Industrial Company (GNIC), businesses will be required to pay a fee of GYD $20,000 for any container scanned at the GNIC Lombard Street facility.

The administration of this fee takes effect on August 27, 2018, GRA said.

In a statement on Monday, the Authority said it is necessary “to recoup the GNIC’s administration costs and allow for a return on its capital investment.”

GRA also advised Importers and Exporters that it will waive the fees associated with manual inspections for containers scanned.

The Revenue body launched its new Container scanning facility on July 19, 2018, at the at the corners of Lombard and Sussex Streets.

The scanner is a mobile piece of equipment that makes use of X-ray imaging and other scanning features sophisticated enough to penetrate the cargo and produce quality images.

“The absence of a functioning container scanner and facility had put Guyana at risk of losing key export markets, given that many countries require universal scanning of container shipments destined for their territories in keeping with international maritime conventions on trade facilitation,” GRA had said.

Subsequently, on August 14, the Revenue Authority said concerns were raised by businesses in the vicinity of Lombard Street being impeded but the body said it is working to remedy the situation.

Exporters desirous of further information can contact the GNIC on telephone numbers 223-5887 or 223 9789.