Jose Mafnas
CUSTOMS and Biosecurity Director Jose Mafnas on Thursday thanked the House of Representatives for passing House Bill 23-41 which would impose a $5 excise tax on every pound of imported betel nut and a 10-cent excise tax on every ounce of imported lime mix.
Authored by Rep. Marissa Flores, H.B. 23-41 is now in the Senate. According to the bill, 50% of the tax revenue will go to the Health Network or medical referral program specifically for oral cancer patients stipends, and 10% to the Customs and Biosecurity for operations.
In an interview on Thursday, Mafnas said Customs appreciates any measure that provides them with additional funds.
He said Customs has four to five enforcement officers assigned to the front desk in its office at Ports of Saipan and eight to 10 inspectors at the back of the office. They also have eight enforcement officers at the post office.
Customs Compliance Supervisor Robert Reyes said the revenue that will be generated from the proposed tax will help Custom’s with its operational costs.
He said it will provide funding for upgrading their weighing scale and the improvement of tax assessment and collection.
A community member, who declined to be identified, said the tax will raise the prices of imported betel nut and lime, which may reduce demand.
