The Commissioner-General of the Guyana Revenue Authority, Khurshid Sattaur has revised the current requirement of submitting four copies of each document, including the Form C72.
A release from the GRA said that the revision will enable persons to file their papers/forms in duplicate with effect from September 1, 2013. This will simplify customs procedures and will reduce the need for large storage space, decrease the dwelling time of cargo and also will decrease the costs associated with these activities.
It said that 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.”
The release said that with the centralisation of its Georgetown operations, the GRA was exploring ways to better serve taxpayers. The organisation 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 those doing business with the Customs and Trade Division.
The Commissioner-General was quoted as saying, “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.”
Sattaur noted that the organisation was 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 the tax hotline on telephone number 227-6060 extension 1201 or contact Customs Help Desk at GRA Headquarters, 200-201 Camp Street, Georgetown, the release added.
