Commencement: 18 May 2009

REPUBLIC OF VANUATU

STAMP DUTIES (AMENDMENT)
ACT NO. 3 OF 2009

Arrangement of Sections

1. Amendment
2. Commencement

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REPUBLIC OF VANUATU

Assent: 22/04/2009
Commencement: 18/05/2009

STAMP DUTIES (AMENDMENT)
ACT NO. 9 OF 2009

An Act to amend the Stamp Duties Act [CAP 68]. 

Be it enacted by the President and Parliament as follows- 

1 	Amendment 

The Stamp Duties Act [CAP 68] is amended as set out in the Schedule. 

2 	Commencement 

This Act commences on the day on which it is published in the Gazette. 

SCHEDULE

AMENDMENTS OF STAMP DUTIES ACT [CAP 68]

1 	Section 1 

Insert the following definitions in their correct alphabetical positions: 

“Commission means the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission established by the Financial Services Commission Act [CAP 229]; 

easement includes an easement referred to in section 67 of the Land leases Act [CAP 163]; 

mortgage includes a charge on property for securing money or money’s worth; 

profit includes a profit referred to in section 69 of the Land Leases Act [CAP 163]; 

property includes all property whether real or personal; 

restrictive agreement includes an agreement referred to in section 68 of the Land Leases Act [CAP 163].” 

2 	Subsection 4(1) 

Delete “for the general revenue of the Government”, substitute “of the Commission” 

3 	Subsections 4(2) and 4(3) 

Delete “Government”, substitute “Commission” 

4 	Subsection 6(2) (Proviso) 

After “time”, insert “waive,” 

5 	Paragraph 6(2) (a) 

Delete “1,000”, substitute “3,000” 

6 	Paragraph 6(2) (b) 

Delete “2,000, substitute “5,000” 

7 	Section 11 

(a) 	Delete “30,000”, substitute “1 million” 

(b) 	Delete “6 months” substitute “2 years” 

8 	After section 23 

Insert 

“23	A Controller to refund the monies paid in excess 

If it is proved to the satisfaction of the Controller that a person has paid duty or penalty duty in excess of the amount of the duty or penalty duty payable by that person, the Controller must subject to section 51 refund to that person the amount so paid in excess.” 

9 	Section 24 

(a) 	Delete “60,000”, substitute “1 million” 

(b) 	Delete “12 months”, substitute “2 years” 

10 	Subsection 28(3) 

Delete “10,000”, substitute “20,000” 

11 	Paragraphs 30(1) (a) and (b) 

Delete “500” (wherever occurring), substitute “3,000” 

12 	Subsection 34(3) 

Delete “300,000”, substitute “5 million” 

13 	Subsection 38(2) 

(a) 	Delete “60,000”, substitute“1 million” 

(b) Delete “12 months”, substitute “2 years” 

14 	Subsection 39(2) 

Delete “500”, substitute “3,000” 

15 	Section 44 

Delete “3,000”, substitute “5,000” 

16 	Subsection 46(2) 

Delete “60,000”, substitute “300, 000” 

17 	Section 47 

Delete “300,000”, substitute “5 million” 

18 	Section 49 

After “may”, insert “on the advice of the Commission” 

19 	Subsection 50(2) 

(a) 	Delete “150,000”, substitute “5 million” 

(b) 	Delete “1 year”, substitute “3 years” 

20 	Section 51 

Repeal the section, substitute 

“51 	Commission to pay moneys due by Controller to persons under the Act 

The Commission must pay to a person any moneys payable to that person by the Controller under the Act.” 

21 	Schedule –Under the heading “DECLARATION OF TRUST” 

Delete “2,000”corresponding to paragraph (1), substitute “5,000” 

22 	Schedule – Under the heading “LEASES” 

(a) 	Delete “1,000”corresponding to paragraph (1) under the subheading “surrender of lease”, substitute “5,000” 

(b) 	Delete “2,500” corresponding to the heading “exception”, substitute”5,000” 

23 	Schedule-Under the heading “MORTGAGE” 

(a) 	Delete “an exempted bank or financial institution to which section 19(1) of the Banking Act applies”, substitute “a licensee under the International Banking Act [CAP 280] or a financial institution under the Financial Institutions Act [CAP 254]” 

(b) 	Delete “1,000” corresponding to paragraphs (2) and (4), substitute “5,000” 

24 	Schedule- After the Part under the heading “MORTGAGE” 

Insert: 

“EASEMENT
	The like duty as on a transfer on sale	
RESTRICTIVE
AGREEMENT
	VT 3,000	
PROFIT
	VT 3,000 	
Release, or discharge of an easement , restrictive agreement, or profit 	VT3,000”	

25 	Schedule-Under the heading-“POWERS OF ATTORNEY” 

Delete “1,500”, substitute “5,000” 

26 	Schedule –Under the heading “TRANSFER OF PROPERTY” 

Delete “3,000” corresponding to paragraph (3), substitute “5,000” 

27 	Schedule –Under the heading “SETTLEMENTS” 

Delete “7,500, substitute “10,000” 

28 	Schedule-Under the heading “Minimum Payment” 

Delete “2,500”, substitute “3,000” 

29 	Schedule-Under the heading “Maximum payment in respect of certain instruments” 

Delete “10,000”, substitute “20,000”