THE Saipan Chamber of Commerce opposes House Bill 22-27, which imposes application fees on “low-risk” importers.
Because Public Law 21-42, which removes the 30-day period for “high-risk” importers to pay the excise tax, has created a “high demand” for “low-risk importer” consideration, Rep. John Paul Sablan introduced H.B. 22-27 to allow Customs to collect application fees from those who want to be considered as “low-risk” importers.
The bill was referred to the House Ways and Means Committee chaired by Rep. Donald Manglona.
In his letter to Manglona, Chamber of Commerce President Joe C. Guerrero said the chamber opposes H.B. 22-27 “as is,” but it “believes in supporting Customs in its implementation of P.L. 21-42.”
The chamber, however, proposes that H.B. 22-27 be amended, Guerrero said. The proposed measure, he said, should include a cap “not to exceed $50 per applicant per year.”
Guerrero said the chamber notes that this fee “should specifically go towards processing paperwork and not be a taxation on businesses offsetting increased cost to operate.”
Additionally, he said, the chamber is asking the Legislature to ensure proper funding for increased staffing needs caused by the implementation of P.L. 21-42, as there are concerns, specifically at the post office, on the timeline of wait times to pay excise taxes on arrival.
