The CNMI is the only member of the Oceania Customs Organization that offers a grace period for an importer to pay their excise tax, according to CNMI Customs director Jose C. Mafnas, who supports the idea of eliminating this.<\/p>\n
At the House\u2019s session Friday, Mafnas urged House members to pass House Bill 21-104 that would eliminate the 30-day grace period within which to pay the excise tax on good that require Customs inspection and clearance.<\/p>\n
Mafnas said he strongly believes that the legislation is a win-win proposition for all\u2014the CNMI government and Customs as the protector of the CNMI borders, importers, and the entire community.<\/p>\n
House floor leader Rep. John Paul P. Sablan (R-Saipan) pre-filed House Bill 21-104. <\/p>\n
Mafnas said that Finance Secretary David DLG Atalig has asked him to convey his endorsement of the bill.<\/p>\n
The Customs director said he has been advocating for an amendment of the taxing provision, particularly the excise tax part. He said the CNMI is the only member of the Oceania Customs Organization that offers a grace period for import tax, as all OCO members impose a \u201cpay upon clearance\u201d requirement.<\/p>\n
Mafnas said the \u201cpay upon clearance\u201d will lessen arrears and Customs will stop sending out billings or going after delinquent taxpayers to resolve their account. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt takes a lot of efforts to collect outstanding payments on our assigned officers,\u201d said the director, adding that the legislation will cure this issue.<\/p>\n
Mafnas said the \u201cpay upon clearance\u201d will also increase revenue for the CNMI government as all dutiable imported goods will be paid immediately. \u201cThere is no option for an importer to ignore their payment obligation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Mafnas added that the \u201cpay upon clearance\u201d will allow Customs officers to focus on protecting CNMI borders from the infiltration of harmful goods.<\/p>\n
He said Customs continues to face a lot of challenges with drug smuggling, undervaluation of goods, undeclared of high tax-rate commodities, and other contrabands like fake products and banned hazardous chemicals. <\/p>\n
\u201cHouse Bill 21-104 will lessen these challenges,\u201d Mafnas said. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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