Africa-Press – Seychelles. As of September 1, 2023 individuals will no longer be required to go through clearance procedures for parcels valued at R3,000 and above, as a new set of regulations will make it mandatory for courier services to handle the process.
The regulation which was approved by cabinet recently seeks to increase efficiency of door-to-door courier service, and to improve logistics and the overall quality of service experience for customers while eliminating congestion at clearing facilities.
As explained by principal secretary for Trade Francis Lebon yesterday, there will be mandatory clearance and door-to-door delivery. Courier services will inform individual consumers of their parcels, complete clearance upon payment of the applicable taxes, and then deliver as per the stated address. In the event that couriers fail to deliver door-to-door through no fault of their own, individuals will be required to collect directly from the couriers’ premises.
As for registered bodies or businesses, they will also have the option of having courier services clear parcels on their behalf, or may choose to do so themselves through their internal clearance mechanisms, provided the necessary taxes are paid off.
“The postal sector is growing in importance, especially with e-commerce, and Seychelles needs to position itself to reap the benefits for consumers,” Mr Lebon noted.
In addition to parcels handled by couriers, the regulation will also apply to parcels handled by the post office through the Express Mail Service. Currently, the post office is not obligated to deliver postal articles such as items from Ali Express and SHEIN on a door-to-door basis. With the enforcement of the regulations however, the post office will offer customers the option, at a cost, following trials.
To further facilitate the clearance process, the Seychelles Revenue Commission (SRC) and Customs have developed the necessary modules within the Automated Systems for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) customs management system.
Head of customs, Paul Barrack, explained that of the new modules, a courier management system digitalises the processes related to couriers, including issuance of pending notices and receipts for parcels exceeding R3,000. The system will be rolled out towards the end of the month.
“For consignments exceeding R5,000, the bill of entry is required as is the case now. The agency can opt to handle the transaction themselves unless the client decides otherwise,” Mr Barrack stated.
The first module, e-manifest which was launched in March and replaces the manual transmission of the manifest form, thereby facilitating the receipt of cargo data electronically, in real time and directly from the source or country of origin. This allows the cargo customs unit to gather information about the goods in advance, to expedite the process of the goods upon arrival.
Discussions and work to digitise and modernise postal and courier services have been ongoing since 2021, based on the fact that postal and courier services were hard hit by the Covid-19 pandemic. A committee was set up to undertake a review of current practices and to make recommendations.
Government engaged with courier agencies in drafting the regulations and is satisfied that they will discharge such functions adequately.
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