Seafood exempted from SST, says Guan Eng

Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng. – Bernama

PUTRAJAYA: Crustaceans and molluscs will be exempted from the 10% Sales and Services Tax (SST) to enable the low and middle-income groups to enjoy seafood.

Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said this will be done immediately, and he reminded traders that they need not impose the tax on consumers purchasing seafood such as crabs, prawns, cockles and squids.

He said there were parties that had questioned that cockles and crabs be taxed because these items were put in the same list as luxury food items - rock lobsters, Norway lobsters, oysters, scallops and abalones.

“Because of this, all other seafood items were also placed under the list, where the 10% SST be imposed.

“To allow seafood be enjoyed by those in the low and middle income bracket, I have directed the Customs Department to exempt all seafood that is in the list from being taxed,” he said at a press conference on Monday (Sept 3).

Lim said the ministry is always open to proposals and suggestions from the public on how to improve the implementation of the SST.