A van loaded with barrels leaves the Kingston Wharves yesterday. - Norman Grindley/acting Photography editor

Jamaicans who yesterday went to the wharves to clear their barrels welcomed Prime Minister Bruce Golding's decision to remove duties from personal effects not exceeding US$3,000 (J$237,000).

Sylvan Vassell was expecting to pay $20,000 to clear the four barrels that his family sent for him. He, however, paid $700.

"It's a good thing because I save a lot of money," Vassell told The Gleaner yesterday, shortly after he got his quotation.

"I can now do other things with this money, so it has benefited us the consumers," he said.

Ends december 31

Golding in his address to the nation on Sunday night said persons with personal effects would be able to clear their goods duty-free as of yesterday through to December 31.

However, Vassell said the duty-free period should be longer.

Meanwhile, Jennifer Thompson, who was unaware of Golding's pronouncements, was elated when she found out that she only had to pay $700 to clear her barrel.

"This is good because mi did bruk," she told The Gleaner with a broad smile.

"I was coming with the intention of paying about $7,000, so at least I am going home with some money to do something else with it," said Thompson.

Garfield Hall was equally happy. "It's a good gesture because of the hardship that we are experiencing. A little help is good," said Hall who also paid $700 to get his barrel.

Very happy

Over the years, Marsha Murphy has journeyed to the wharves at this time of the year to collect items her family sent.

"I am happy for this because the amount of money that we used to have to pay was too much," Murphy told The Gleaner.

Customs brokers in November reported an 11 per cent drop in domestic cargo since August.

The shipment of barrels, alone, for this Christmas season had declined by some 35 per cent when compared with last year.

petrina.francis@gleanerjm.com