Customs Comptroller Raju Boddu announced a record-high revenue for the Customs Division up to August 2024, despite concerns about rising exemptions that could affect future government earnings.
Exemptions totaled EC$235.02 million, an increase of EC$1.99 million from the previous year, with EC$35.97 million being discretionary.
In August alone, while vehicle exemptions amounted to EC$0.46 million, duties and taxes collected still reached EC$1.21 million.
Overall, August 2024 revenue was EC$33.58 million, marking an 8.32% increase from 2023. From January to August 2024, total revenue hit EC$312.29 million, a 19.66% rise compared to the same period last year.
Boddu remains cautious about the long-term impact of growing exemptions on revenue.