Dear Claudienne,

I imported some solar equipment in March. Solar equipment is duty-free and attracts no GCT. However, I was charged $56,839.70 inclusive of $36,610.33 for GCT and $9,616.18 for import customs duty. I reached out to Customs on April 5, 2023 about a refund. I was told to provide all the relevant documents for them to proceed. I did all that was asked, but the last two times I requested an update I got no response. I am therefore reaching out to you for any assistance to try and resolve this matter. If you need copies of the email correspondence between Customs and me, please let me know.

AM

Dear AM,

Tell Claudienne contacted a Customs executive and was told that the Customer Service/Public Relations supervisor sent you the following email.

“Thank you for your email, and please accept my apologies for any inconvenience this delay may have caused. Please be advised that I have spoken with a supervisor at the location regarding the importation of your solar equipment. Thus, the declaration of the equipment, along with the Special Declaration given to you, is currently being reviewed. I also spoke with someone from your office and informed her of the action currently being taken.”

Two months later on June 20, 2023, you were informed that the invoice that you had provided was unacceptable.

“The Jamaica Customs Agency is requesting a proper invoice with all the necessary details and also the proof of payment which was used. For information relating to the features of a proper invoice, kindly click on the link https://www.jacustoms.gov.jm/article/features-proper-invoice,” the Customs Agency stated.

The Customs Agency also told you that your broker would have to submit the application for the refund once an IM4 entry was done. “However, if an IMS4 entry was used then you can go,” the Customs public relations officer explained.

You submitted the refund application online on Monday, June 26, 2023, and asked the supervisor how long it would take to be finalised.

In August the Customs executive told Tell Claudienne that the refund was “in progress”.

On October 19, she told the column that Customs had sent the refund to the account of the importer.

You have since informed Tell Claudienne that you received the refund on November 1.

We wish you all the best.

Have a problem with a store, utility company? Telephone 876-936-9346 or Cell # 876-484-1349 or write to: Tell Claudienne c/o Sunday Finance, Jamaica Observer, 40-42 1/2 Beechwood Avenue, Kingston 5; or e-mail:edwardsc@jamaicaobserver.com. Please include a contact phone number.