Opposition calls for roll back of barrel duty

Charlene Stuart, Senior Staff Reporter

The Opposition wants the government to reverse the decision to increase the flat fee to clear barrels at the wharves.

Yesterday, the Customs Department announced that starting today it will now cost a flat rate of $6,500 to clear personal-effects barrels.

That’s an increase of $1,500 up from the previous $5,000.

But the Opposition spokesman on Finance, Audley Shaw says the hike comes at a very bad time for Jamaicans.

Shaw wants the Prime Minister or the Minister of Finance to intervene, saying most of these barrels will contain genuine relief items:

He also says people in areas such as St Thomas, Portland and St Mary are depending on assistance now more than ever.

Those communities were the worst hit by Hurricane Sandy.

Shaw feels the fee hike at this time shows that the Minister of Finance is not aware of what he says is the suffering of many Jamaicans.

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