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Table 3.6 Duties and taxes collected at the border, 2009-13
(G$ million)
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Environmental tax 674.0 776.8 1,014.1 1,070.9 1,071.7

Table 3.14 Tax revenues, 2009-13
(G$ million)
(...)
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Environmental tax 674.0 776.8 1,014.1 1,070.9 1,071.7

An environmental tax is imposed on any non-returnable metal, plastic, glass or cardboard containers of beverages imported into Guyana at a rate of G$10 per unit of containers. The tax is not levied on equivalents for domestically-produced beverages. The authorities note that importers may have the environmental tax refunded if the containers are collected and exported. In May 2013, the Government proposed a Customs Amendment Bill which included reforming the environmental tax, but the Bill was not approved by the National Assembly.

Under the Trade Act, imports of ozone-depleting substances (including equipment containing hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) or requiring HCFCs for its continued operation) are prohibited except three types of ozone depleting substance (ODS) gases (HCFC-22, HCFC-141b, and chlorofluorocarbon (CFC)-12); imports of the allowed ODS gases are subject to import quotas. Quotas are administered by the National Ozone Action Unit, and allocated to registered importers on an annual basis. The Trade Act also prohibits imports of motor vehicles with tinted glass.

Imports of 23 pesticides are prohibited under the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Act. As stipulated in the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act, imports/exports of narcotics are prohibited. Imports of hazardous wastes are prohibited under the Basel Convention to which Guyana is a signatory.

Table 3.8 Import restrictions under the Customs Act
- Product: Exotic fish, except with licence by the Chief Agricultural Officer
- Permit issuing authority: Chief Agricultural Officer

Imports of endangered species of fauna and flora protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) are restricted and require permits issued from the Wildlife Management Authority under the Environmental Protection Agency. [24] Applications for permits must be accompanied by CITES certificates issued by exporting countries.

[24] When considering requests to import animals protected under CITES, the Wildlife Management Authority must consult the Guyana Livestock Development Authority prior to its decision of permit issuance.

Importers of pesticides and controlled chemicals must register with the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board. Import permits for restricted chemicals and pesticides are issued only to registered importers.

Table 3.10 Technical regulations, 2014
(...)
- Technical regulations: Specification for labelling of commodities – Part 10: Labelling of equipment, items and parts containing ozone depleting substances
- Reference: International standards

Guyana does not have any legal provisions with respect to genetically modified organisms or hormone-fed animals.