Customs Tariff Amendment (No. 3) Act 2022

What this bill does

This bill eliminates import taxes (customs duties) on 21 essential everyday items like ground beef, chicken, butter, cheese, bread, cooking oil, pasta, baby diapers, and cleaning products. It also provides tax breaks for businesses that import supplies to make bread and baked goods locally, and extends duty relief for hospital supplies until September 2023.

If passed (voted YES)

• Essential groceries and household items like meat, dairy, bread, cooking oil, baby products, and cleaning supplies will have no import tax, potentially making them cheaper at stores
• Local bakeries and bread manufacturers can import ingredients and supplies tax-free, which may help keep bread prices down
• Hospitals get extended duty relief on operating supplies for an additional month to help with costs

If rejected (voted NO)

• Import taxes remain at 5% on these essential items, keeping current pricing structure in place
• Local bread manufacturers continue paying import duties on their supplies and ingredients
• Hospital duty relief expires as originally scheduled in August 2023 instead of being extended

Who it affects

This affects all Bermuda residents who buy groceries and household essentials, as well as local bakeries, bread manufacturers, and the Bermuda Hospitals Board. Families with babies and young children may particularly benefit from duty-free diapers and sanitary products.