Seychelles’ accession to the World Trade Organisation |18 December 2014
Customs duties to be reduced
As mentioned in the budget speech for the year 2015, the Ministry of Finance, Trade and Investment will be undertaking a series of reduction in Customs duties effective next year.
This is in line with the country’s international commitments and general measures in order to ease trade in goods.
Following the acceptance of Seychelles' accession package to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) at the General Council held on December 10, 2014, customs duty will be reduced as from January 1, 2015 on the list of items in the accompanying table on page 4.
Meanwhile, as part of government's commitment in encouraging the use of more environmentally friendly vehicles, Customs duty on electric vehicles and golf cars will also be lowered from 15% to 5%.
Additionally, the ministry has also considered requests from the various industries for a reduction of duty on mangosteen (a fruit which does not grow in Seychelles but which attracts high demand) from 50% to 15% ; carpets, bed linens, table linens, toilet linens and hairnets from 25% to 10% . These reductions will be applicable across the board for all such imports.
The general duty reductions under these commitments are as follows:
HS Code Description General
Jan14 Jan15
0301.1000 Ornamental fish 100% 25%
1905.9010 Bread 100% 50%
1905.9040 Mixture snacks 100% 50%
Heading 4420 Wood marquetry and inlaid wood; Statuettes and other ornamental of wood 100% 25%
Heading 6913 Statuettes and other ornamental ceramic articles 50% 25%
Heading 6914 Other ceramic articles. 50% 25%
Heading 7013 Glassware of kind used for indoor decoration or similar purposes 100% 25%
Heading 8306 Statuettes and other ornaments of base metal 100% 25%
Heading 6309 Worn clothing and other worn articles. (Footwear, Worn clothing, Other articles) 200% 25%