I have a business importing and distributing solar lamps in Haiti. Up until now I have been able to clear Customs by using the HS Code for solar panels (85.4140.00) which have a base tariff of 5%, the Haitian Customs have now decided that they should now be reclassified under the same code as flashlights (85.1310.00) with a base tariff of 10%. I am going to get together with Total, who also import solar lamps, and see if we can lobby the Govt. to create a new classification code for those products that have been approved by Lighting Global. The people in Customs suggested if we have a separate code we could maybe have exemption from other taxes also. Can anyone tell me if this has been done somewhere else? I remember that there was a program in Senegal that was limited to Lighting Africa approved products, do you know of anywhere else where they have set up a special HS Code for solar lamps?

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I'm sure I've heard of this in other countries (East Africa).

This seems like a good topic for GOGLA to help with.  Perhaps they can chime in here.

Sustainable Energy for All has established a searchable database here.

There's a little discussion on page 68 here that may be useful

The Kenyan Revenue Authority issued a tariff ruling in October 2013 for a home solar system and solar lantern classifying them both with HS code 9405.40.00 which means a bound tariff of 25%!  I have uploaded the original.  This contradicts the information on the Sustainable Energy for All database - and also makes no sense!

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GOGLA is aware of these unfavorable tax increases. Together with our partners from Lighting Africa / Lighting Global and SE4All as well as local industry and associations we are working on having the tax increase revoked in Kenya, and are elaborating strategies to advocate effectively against a bill about to be passed in Tanzania that would have  a similar effect.

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