Implementation of Article 164
Local Pasta industry
Published 26, Oct 2026
Please be advised that Cabinet granted approval for the implementation of Article 164 for the local pasta industry, wherein a Common External Tariff (CET) of fifty (50%) percent will apply on imports originating from CARICOM More Developed Countries (MDCs) and one hundred (100%) on imports from third country for pasta products similar to those locally produced falling under HS heading 19.02.
The tariff measures shall apply to pasta products manufactured using one hundred percent durum wheat, specifically pre-cut macaroni (bends), elbows, ziti, fusilli, noodles, shells and penne. Stuffed shells, other prepared pasta products and couscous are excluded from the measure as they are not produced locally. The approval can be found in Statutory Rules and Orders No. 14 of 2026. The order commenced on September 30, 2026 and expires five (5) years from the date of commencement.
A CARICOM Certificate of Origin is required in order to benefit from the preferential treatment. The code “LDC” must be used to apply 0% import duty for goods originating in Less Developed Countries within CARICOM. “MDC” must be used to apply 50% import duty for goods originating in More Developed Countries within CARICOM. These codes must be placed in box #36 (Prefer.) of the Customs declaration where the descriptions end with “CARICOM” for the relevant HS Classifications.
Please see below the national breakouts to facilitate the process.
| Tariff | Description | Region | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19.02 | Pasta, whether or not cooked or stuffed (with meat or other substances) or otherwise prepared, such as spaghetti, macaroni, noodles, lasagne, gnocchi, ravioli, cannelloni; couscous, whether or not prepared. | ||
| - Uncooked pasta, not stuffed or otherwise prepared: | |||
| - - Containing eggs | |||
| 1902.11.00.100 | Other than pre-cut macaroni (bends), elbows, ziti, fusilli, noodles, shells and penne. | ANY | 20% |
| CARICOM (CCM) | 0% | ||
| 1902.11.00.200 | Pre-cut macaroni (bends), elbows, ziti, fusilli, noodles, shells and penne (CARICOM). | CARICOM (LDC) | 0% |
| CARICOM (MDC) | 50% | ||
| 1902.11.00.900 | Pre-cut macaroni (bends), elbows, ziti, fusilli, noodles, shells and penne (Third Country). | Third Country | 100% |
| - - Other | |||
| 1902.19.00.100 | Other than pre-cut macaroni (bends), elbows, ziti, fusilli, noodles, shells and penne. | ANY | 20% |
| CARICOM (CCM) | 0% | ||
| 1902.19.00.200 | Pre-cut macaroni (bends), elbows, ziti, fusilli, noodles, shells and penne (CARICOM). | CARICOM (LDC) | 0% |
| CARICOM (MDC) | 50% | ||
| 1902.19.00.900 | Pre-cut macaroni (bends), elbows, ziti, fusilli, noodles, shells and penne (Third Country). | Third Country | 100% |
Mr. Selwyn Da Silva
Comptroller of Customs
