Following the publication of S.I 33 of 2024 of the Value Added Tax (Amendment of First Schedule) Regulation 2024, businesses importing commercial goods into the Seychelles through postal and courier services shall be exempted from payment of Value Added Tax (VAT) if the customs value or the Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF) value; that is the actual value of the goods when they are shipped does not exceed SCR1500.
Furthermore, with the issuance of S.I 40 of 2024, Customs Management (Importation of Goods through Post or Courier) (Amendment) Regulations, 2024, businesses will now also be exempted from payment of Customs Duty on imported commercial goods with Customs Value or CIF of SCR1500 or less.
In line with the new regulations businesses will not be required to submit a Customs Declaration (Bill of Entry) on the low value consignment. To note, the exemptions will also not be applicable on alcohol and tobacco products being imported. The exemption on the payment of the Value Added Tax and Customs Duty has taken effect since 10 May 2024 and onwards.
For clearance of imported restricted goods, businesses must ensure to have obtained a valid import permit issued by the Ministry of Finance, National Planning and Trade prior to importing the commercial restricted good into the Seychelles. A Customs Declaration (Bill of Entry) will also be required for clearance of the goods together with the import permit.