Government Extends Duty-Free Barrel up to January 15

By Val Matthias. Updated 1:54 p.m., Wednesday, December 31, 2025, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).

The Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines has announced an extension of its annual duty free barrel concessions until January 15, 2026, offering continued relief to Vincentian families grappling with high living costs. The announcement was made via a press release from the Prime Minister’s Office on December 31, 2025.

Originally scheduled to end on December 31, 2025, the concessions began on November 11, 2025, as part of the government’s traditional Christmas relief measures. The initiative allows Vincentians both locally and, in the diaspora, to import personal use barrels containing essential items such as food, clothing, and toys without paying customs duties, provided the barrels meet specific criteria.

According to the press release, the extension aims to ensure that families continue to benefit from the measure, which has become a hallmark of seasonal support and economic relief.

“This measure is being maintained to ensure that Vincentian families continue to benefit from concessions that help to ease the high cost of living,” the statement read.

Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves had previously highlighted the importance of the initiative during his Independence Day address on October 27, 2025, noting that the policy has been emulated by other Caribbean governments due to its tangible impact on household resilience.

The extension comes amid broader efforts to improve port infrastructure and customs processing. Vincentians are encouraged to act promptly, as the extended deadline of January 15, 2026, is firm.

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