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(...) In the long run, rapid demographic growth and the potential for other natural disasters will continue to threaten the sustained growth of the Haitian economy.

(...) The general objective of agricultural policy is to contribute to the economic and social development of the Haitian people by improving food security; increasing farmers' incomes; increasing foreign currency earnings; and reducing the vulnerability of the population to natural disasters.

(...) The degradation of natural resources, especially catchment basins, is a serious challenge for Haiti's agricultural sector. (...)

The degradation of natural resources is another serious challenge for Haiti's agricultural sector. Around 85% of the country's catchment basins are significantly degraded or transformed, causing frequent floods and depletion of the basic factors of agricultural production. Soil erosion is estimated at around 12,000 hectares a year. The main factors responsible for this degradation are poor land management, the fragility of the physical environment (steep slopes, nature of the materials), severe demographic pressures, the low level of agricultural productivity, extreme weather conditions, erosive farming practices, and intensive wood cutting to meet energy needs and for building purposes.

As a result products, materials and equipment such as the following are exempt from customs duty: (...) materials for environmental protection, materials and equipment for fishing (...)

(...) In addition to employees, the law waives the business tax for the following natural and legal persons: farmers, livestock farmers and fishermen (provided that they sell the unprocessed products of their operations), (...)

The applied rate appears fairly low compared to those of other countries, especially the CARICOM's CET. If one takes into account other charges such as inspection fees and the environmental protection tax (Section 3.2.5), however, protection at the border is high. (...)

An environmental protection tax was introduced in 2015 and applies to imports of used vehicles, tyres, batteries and articles of worn clothing. The rate is 10% of the c.i.f. value for tyres, batteries and worn clothing. For vehicles over seven years old (or lorries over 12 years old), the rate is 25%. More modern vehicles are exempt from this tax. Used vehicles are also subject to a tourism tax at a rate of 10% of their c.i.f. value. Taken together, these charges may lead to increases above the bound rates for other duties and charges on items such as used vehicles.

In 2014, the authorities reorganized customs duties on new vehicles in order, inter alia, to renew the fleet of automobiles and lower emissions of carbon dioxide. Following this revision, vehicles of less than 1,100 cc became totally duty free, while those of more than 1,500 cc became taxed at 12% (except for vehicles of tariff line 870390). The rate of customs duty for those between 1,100 cc and 1,500 remains unchanged at 10%.

Article 251 of the Constitution prohibits the import of agricultural foodstuffs and their byproducts, except in cases of force majeure, because it is deemed that sufficient quantities are produced domestically. It also prohibits the introduction into Haiti of waste or residues of foreign origin (Article 258).