Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands Customs Contacts
Solomon Islands Ministry of Finance and Treasury
Website: http://www.mof.gov.sb/Homepage.aspx
Address: PO Box 26, Honiara, Solomon Islands
Telephone +677 22556
Solomon Islands is a Melanesian country situated in the South Pacific Ocean. It consists of six major islands and over 900 smaller islands. Solomon Islands is lying to the east of Papua New Guinea and northwest of Vanuatu. The country is member of the African, Caribbean, and Pacific Group of States, the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, the WTO, the South Pacific Regional Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement and other international organizations.
Tariffs
Customs values are determined in accordance with the Brussels Definition of Value. The simple average applied MFN rate declined to 9.1% in 2008. There has also been a sharp fall in tariff dispersion.
Solomon Islands has bound all of its tariffs, mostly at a rate of 80%; some applied rates exceed their bindings. The rate of the goods tax applied on imports is 15%, compared with 10% on domestic goods; certain imported goods are not subject to the excise duties levied on the same goods produced domestically.
Export taxes are levied mainly on fish, minerals, and timber. The taxes on timber and fish are levied on a value determined by the authorities. Firms that export their entire output or satisfy domestic-value-added criteria may be eligible to deduct export profits for income tax purposes.
Solomon Islands grants at least MFN tariff treatment to all WTO Members and non-Members.
Import regulations
Imports must be reported to customs by presenting the following documents: the cargo manifest, bill of lading or airway bill, commercial invoice, and customs declaration.
Additional information is required when importing goods subject to licensing. For imports purchased on credit and valued at more than SI$50,000 (about US$6,530), information must be lodged also with the Central Bank to ensure compliance with foreign exchange regulations. Customs adopted the software package PC Trade in April 2008; customs declarations must be filled out electronically using the electronic self-assessment declaration (eSAD).
Imports allowed into Solomon Islands without complete information on the customs value may be subject to a surcharge not exceeding 50% of the import duty. The surcharge is returned if complete information in support of the declared value is presented within six months of importation, or if the importer explains the failure to submit such information. According to the authorities, waivers are rarely granted.
Sources:
http://www.mof.gov.sb/Customs/CustomsProhibitedGoods/CustomsRestrictedImports.aspx