GST Personal Importation Review (Phase 1)

​In January 2021, the Minister for Treasury & Resources informed the Panel that a review on the collection of imported Goods and Services Tax – in respect of unaccompanied goods for personal use – had been launched. The review would be led by Revenue Jersey with involvement from Jersey Customs & Immigration Service. This follows a long-standing commitment by the Government of Jersey to be a “fast follower” of developments of GST and Value-Added Tax (VAT) in the United Kingdom and European Union.

It was expected that the early findings for the Government’s review would be ascertained by 28th February 2021, with emerging findings by 30th April 2021, and a final report delivered to the States Assembly by 30th June 2021. 

Before this report reaches the Assembly, the Panel undertook Phase 1 of its review into GST Personal Importation, which focused on examining the process and findings of the Government’s review into the collection of Import GST, and whether the proposed changes to GST are both fair and equitable against the Government’s strategic priorities. The Panel also evaluated the fiscal soundness of the potential changes and their respective impacts on revenue raising.

Subsequent phases of this review will be guided by the timeframe for the Government Plan 2022-25, with the Panel seeking to compare this review’s findings and recommendations against the eventual proposition.

Due to his experience within transport and logistics, the Constable of St John, Andy Jehan, has been co-opted to work with the Panel on this important review.

​To inform its review, the Panel held a series of private briefings with relevant officers – primarily the Comptroller of Revenue and the Treasurer of the States – and held a public hearing with the Minister for Treasury & Resources.

The Panel has now published its report GST Personal Importation Review: Phase 1 

​The Phase 1* review by the Panel will provide high-level scrutiny of the Government’s Review into proposed changes to Goods and Service Tax (GST) in respect of unaccompanied goods for personal use.

The Panel will:

1. Examine the process and findings of the Government’s review into the collection of import GST in respect of unaccompanied goods for personal use.

2. Assess if proposed changes to Goods and Services Tax (GST) in respect of unaccompanied goods for personal use are fair and equitable against the Government’s strategic priorities.

3. Evaluate the fiscal soundness of Goods and Services Tax (GST) changes and their potential impacts on revenue raising.
   

(*Phase 1 correlates to the timeline associated with the review report being presented by the Minister for Treasury and Resources - 30th June 2021. Subsequent Phases will be guided by the timeframe for Government Plan 2022-2025 and draft legislation which once ascertained will enable the Panel to examine proposition detail.)