Earlier this year, the Belize Tax Service Department put out a notice saying that all importers - even those bringing in barrels or a pair of shoes - would need a tax identification number, known as a TIN to clear their goods.
Now, working people have a personal TIN, but a large section of the population does not, so they would have to go and register for a TIN.
And, the new regulation would create a logistical nightmare for shipping companies who import those barrels - since many of their customs do not have a personal TIN.
Needless to say it was an unpopular announcement and earlier this week the Customs Brokers Association met with the Customs Department and the Tax Services Department to apprise them of what a nightmare was looming.
And, simple as that, the new requirement which w3as already in effect on paper at least has been withdrawn. The Deputy Director of Tax Services told us more via Zoom:
Vilma Broaster, Deputy Director General, BTS
"We understand from customs and as well from the custom brokers some of the logistics, I mean, the logistics nightmare that such could have caused. And it is whereby that the TIN is strictly for manifested commercial cargo."
"So BTS will be doing a retraction of this notice that you have there to then say that it is strictly for manifested commercial cargo."
Jules Vasquez
"The original wording of the notice might have lent to the conclusion that it, you know, it involves small personal items you may order, right?"
"Someone may order a pair of shoes, someone may order a small electronic device or something like that. Those will not, the importers of those items will not need a TIN number as stated."
Vilma Broaster, Deputy Director General, BTS
"That is correct. They won't need to have their TIN uploaded into the ASYCUDA world. It is only if they are doing a trade or business and customs would be the one to determine that."
BTS is expected to issue an official release by Monday confirming the withdrawal of the requirement.
