A Book Tax?

Treasure Beach Forum: TB Runnin's: A Book Tax?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Stunned on Friday, May 01, 2009 - 06:06 am: Edit Post

See http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20090426/business/business5.html

THIS is how Jamaica plans to promote reading and education?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Poli-tricks on Friday, May 01, 2009 - 11:10 am: Edit Post

They can waste so much blasted money on this outrageous un-neccessary goliath of a canal but can't make books tax free. Ah pure foolishness dat!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Huh? on Saturday, May 02, 2009 - 05:21 am: Edit Post

Wait a minute. I thought one could bring books in through Customs duty-free. Am not talking a few personal books I'd be taking down to read on vacation. I mean books for the schools. Like a carton or two of them. Are you telling me I'm going to have to pay duty of there? If so, what is the rate? How can they do this?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By turey on Saturday, May 02, 2009 - 09:11 am: Edit Post

Maybe the duty free status of some organisations are still in place Huh. Schools, charities etc.

Problem with this is the beaurocracy, time wasting and frustration to get through customs and have the paperwork in place with an understanding officer.

A Customs Broker would be the best person to answer these questions and may even assist for charity.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By one man on Sunday, May 03, 2009 - 11:47 am: Edit Post

Books, computers, and oil for commercial fishing? Seems like adding salt to poor people's wounds. Oops, I'm sorry, the salt will be taxed too. Oh well.........the beat goes on.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Huh on Monday, May 04, 2009 - 08:36 am: Edit Post

The process of bringing books into Jamaica for charitible purposes was already quite difficult. This could make it nearly impossible. Can anyone add some straightforward facts to help me and others attempting to help the schools. Please.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Book Lover on Monday, May 04, 2009 - 07:25 pm: Edit Post

Don't know if this would help you, but when we come with other people we distribute books (and other donated items) through our various suitcases. Nobody seems to care that I'm an avid reader.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By turey on Tuesday, May 05, 2009 - 08:49 am: Edit Post

The magic words are 'Personal Effects'.

If the quantity or quality is deemed commercial by your customs person. Then duty may have to be paid.

I'm not sure if non-Jamaicans can request a stamped and sealed (make sure!) 'Non Accompanied Baggage' form before you leave Customs! If the following goods (Air Freight is best) are non-commercial, there should be no duty on presentation of this form with current ID/ID's.

There are legal and designed paths through the system. Who is going to write a manual. I'll buy the first one.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Stunned on Tuesday, May 05, 2009 - 10:04 am: Edit Post

The rules appear to have changed according to the Gleaner article. If I bring in a bunch of children's books for Sandy Bank (as requested by Treasure Beach Foundation) and I am an adult who travels without children, this is not going to look like my personal effects. Worse yet, if I bring in a carton of books for the school, it looks like I may be in for a big customs bill. This makes no sense to me.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rebecca on Tuesday, May 05, 2009 - 10:13 pm: Edit Post

It is my understanding they are not enforcing the tax until they have a more clear definition as to what books should be taxed and what should not be taxed. So, for now, bring them down as they will not be taxed.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By littlemamalisa on Wednesday, May 06, 2009 - 07:55 am: Edit Post

When I checked in through customs I listed on my form "New and Used Books for Donation". The agent asked me how many I have and my answer was 5 or 6. They did not open my baggage or question me further. I may have had a few more than that?? I didn't count them when I packed! The maps and charts I brought were lining the bottom of my case and really weren't a concern to them.

If each traveler brought even 5 or 6 with them it adds up.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By TB on Thursday, May 07, 2009 - 05:16 am: Edit Post

The tax on books has been withdraw by the government ,thank God we have a government who listen.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rebecca on Thursday, May 07, 2009 - 07:17 am: Edit Post

Here is an article from the Gleaner.

http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20090507/lead/lead1.html