Any Grenadians living abroad for a minimum of 7 years are entitled to 100% duty-free concession on their personal effects coming into the island.
This was disclosed by Ambassador for Diaspora Affairs Terrence Forrester on Sunday night at a government-sponsored meeting in New York that was attended by Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell.
In his address which focused mainly on next month’s Diaspora Homecoming for 2026 event, Ambassador Forrester said that personal effects include both old and new items that the persons can ship back to Grenada.
He also said that Grenadians in the Diaspora who are coming back home permanently are entitled to duty-free concessions on a new vehicle.
He pointed out that 50% duty-free concessions will be given by the Ministry of Finance on CET, CSC and VAT for any vehicle using gasoline or diesel.
Ambassador Forrester disclosed that in keeping with the government’s policy to promote alternative sources of power like solar and to move away from fossil fuel that an electric vehicle brought to Grenada will be subjected to a 100% duty free concession on CET, CSE and VAT.
In the case of a hybrid vehicle, he said the importer will get 75% off on CET, CSC and Vat.
As part of the Diaspora Homecoming event, the government has taken the decision to give duty-free concessions on persons bringing in sample products for a business symposium in order to display their products.
The Ministry of Finance will also set up a booth at the symposium for employees working on the Concessions desk to give details about concessions for Grenadians living in the Diaspora.
Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell who also addressed the Diaspora meeting held in Brooklyn said that his near 4-year-old Congress administration has appointed several persons living in the Diaspora to head a number of state-owned bodies.
He identified some as the Chairperson of the Grenada Airports Authority (GAA), the head of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), and the Planning and Development Authority (PDA) who have been given leadership positions in some of the most vital state entities in the country.
According to the Prime Minister, some of the members of the Transports Commission do not live in Grenada but operate in the Diaspora.
He noted that it is the intention of Congress to encourage as many persons in the Diaspora to register with the government with their skillset in order to be considered for possible positions on state bodies to help serve the country.
PM Dickon Mitchell said that this move on the part of Congress clearly shows just how “the Diaspora is contributing in a direct way to the development of Grenada.”
Grenadians living in the Diaspora started to be seriously targeted for their skillset during the 2008-13 period in government by Congress under former Prime Minister Tillman Thomas.