GRA reduces paperwork for processing Customs Declarations

Kurshid Sattaur 2Georgetown: In keeping with the provisions of the Customs Act, Chapter 82:01 the Commissioner-General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Mr. Khurshid Sattaur has revised the current requirement of submitting four (4) copies of each document, including the Form C72. The revision will enable persons to file their papers/forms in duplicate with effect from September 1, 2013, thereby simplifying Customs procedures, reducing the need for large storage space, decreasing the dwelling time of cargo and by extension, decreasing the costs associated with these activities.

Section 234 of the Customs Act, Chapter 82:01 states “Where any person is required to submit any report, entry, declaration, or other form for the purpose of the customs laws, the Commissioner-General may require such person to submit as many copies thereof as he may deem necessary; and where the Commissioner-General shall require invoices or certificates of origin, or both to be produced for any goods imported or exported, he may require such invoices or certificates of origin, or both, to be submitted in duplicate and may retain the duplicates, or, if such invoices or certificates of origin, or both, are not submitted in duplicate, he may retain the originals.”

With the consolidation of its Georgetown operations at one location, the GRA is currently exploring ways to better serve taxpayers. In this regard, the organization has revised its system and has taken a decision to reduce the large quantity of paperwork required by persons carrying out transactions at its offices, especially persons doing business with the Customs and Trade Division. “Because of our aspiration towards a paperless system, a decision has been taken to reduce the number of documents required for importation and exportation of goods,” the Commissioner-General said.

He noted that the organisation is also looking to make changes in other areas and will do all that is necessary to improve the service experience of taxpayers.

Persons who have queries or require further clarifications with regard to the revision are encouraged to call our tax hotline on telephone number 227-6060 extension (1201) or contact Customs Help Desk at GRA Headquarters, 200-201 Camp Street, Georgetown.