GST changes to be deferred in light of Covid-19

Today, the Government of Jersey has announced that it will be deferring the changes to the "de minimis" level for paying GST on unaccompanied imported goods for personal use. This change is being deferred due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

The changes, outlined in the Government Plan 2020-23, were due to take place from 01 July 2020 and would see the value of goods which could be imported - mainly through the postal system - without paying GST drop from £240 to £135. However, the Treasury and Resources Minister, Deputy Susie Pinel, has decided that the change should be deferred to January 2021 to help manage the current pressures on hauliers, postal workers and customs officers.

The Minister for Treasury and Resources, Deputy Susie Pinel said: "Following discussions with the Agent of the Impot, it became clear that the degree of human intervention required to manage the reduced GST de minimis level by freight handlers; postal workers; and customs officers would be difficult to manage alongside all the other priority work now being undertaken by these organisations at this challenging time.

"I also recognise that it would not be appropriate to reduce the de minimis level at a time when people are increasingly reliant upon home deliveries.

"I have therefore decided to defer this change until January 2021."

Treasury and Exchequer will release further information about the change to the de minimis level later in the year.