Policy, Procedures, et al
“A One Stop Shop ~
Striving to Serve All Returning
Nationals in Every Way Possible

The establishment of the Returning Nationals Secretariat serves to facilitate the smooth flow of essential information, to provide critical guidance, and to help curtail the red-tape associated with relocating.

The Government has always been aware of the important role returning nationals have played in the socio-economic development of St. Kitts and Nevis. Thus, the Secretariat was instituted to assist returning nationals in obtaining up-to-date information to make their resettlement process less stressful. Assistance is given to persons who are eligible to receive duty-free concessions on selected personal and household effects imported into the country, also in relaying pertinent information to obtaining housing, land, investment, counselling, etc.

Deportees -The Returning Nationals Secretariat will provide support to nationals returning home as Deportees from the United States, Canada, St Maarten, and any other country. The Secretariat will offer assistance in finding jobs, locating housing, and utilising other social services. Provisions will be made for counselling, where ever deemed necessary.

Duty-Free Concessions
Small Business
Investments
Employee Assistance
Employment Referral Service
Housing
Counselling
Health
Pension

NB: Returning students who have been abroad for less than ten (10) years are required to show (for duty-free concession) to the Customs Officer, some form of documentation from the college/university they attended. Concession is given at the discretion of the Comptroller of Customs.

2) Grace periods for duty-free concessions on imported goods: three (3) months prior and three (3) months after returning home, or six (6) months after returning, or at any other time at the discretion of the Comptroller of Customs.

3) If at anytime there is doubt as to the worthiness of an applicant, a deposit will be collected. If at a later date the applicant is deemed worthy, duties will be refunded.

4) Returning Nationals bringing automobiles into the Federation, will be required to pay the following charges-: 12% Customs Service Charge plus the Environmental Levy - for cars 2 years or more after the date of manufacture, but less than 4 years after the date of manufacture: $3,500. For cars imported 4 years or more after the date of manufacture: $5,000.

5) Only one (1) vehicle is allowed for duty-free concession.

6) The vehicle must be owned by the returning national for at least six (6) months prior to arriving in the Federation, and be accompanied with a copy of the title from the country of origin.

7) The returning national must be 18 years of age or older and be a holder of a valid driver's licence in the country of origin.

8) The vehicle must be cleared from customs within six (6) months after the arrival in the Federation from the country of origin of the returning resident in accordance with condition (2) above.

9) The vehicle must be cleared from Customs either at the same time when the returning national's personal effects are being cleared or else at a time prior to or subsequent to the clearance of the said personal and household effects, provided, however, that the vehicle is cleared in conformity with condition (8) above.

10) The ownership and/or control of the vehicle must not be transferred within three (3) years of the grant of the concession. Anyone selling a vehicle within three years on which a concession is granted should advise the buyer and notify the Competent Authority, so that the appropriate duties could be collected at the time of sale.

11) Where at any time within three years of the grant of the concession, the authority finds that the condition above is contravened, the returning national may be ordered to pay on demand, the applicable duty and taxes as determined by the Customs Department.

2) That the items imported duty free under the policy will not be sold before informing Customs and making arrangements to pay the duty on the residual value.

3) That the items are for the applicant’s use and will not be transferred to another party whether as a gift or as a sale.

4) To be considered as residing in St Kitts for the purpose of this policy, a returning national during the first three (3) years of his/her return, must NOT return abroad and reside there for a continuous period of more than 3 months.

5) Failure to comply with the above may result in the levying of duties on all items imported.

NB: Only one application is granted

The Returning National Association is the brainchild of George Richards, a returnee from the United Kingdom. The Association came into being on March 21, 1998 at New Road, St Peters, when 21 members were in attendance. The membership now boasts approximately 100 members comprised mainly of returnees from the United Kingdom, Canada and the U.S.A.

The Returning Nationals Association is a non-political and non-sectarian organisation, established to assist in the resettling process of all Kittitians and Nevisians who migrated, and have now chosen to return with their spouses and descendants.

Our mission is to act as a focal point for Returning Nationals, to exchange ideas and address concerns that face all returning nationals of St Kitts and Nevis and to respond to their needs as far as possible.

For further information please contact the secretary, Mrs. Norma Richards at (869) 466-9297.