Here’s how to enjoy Vat-free grocery shopping before Dec 19 

By Admin. Updated 2:19 p.m., Monday, December 15, 2025, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4). 

The newly elected government has declared December 19, 2025 as a Vat-free shopping day in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, news that has been welcomed by many.

Since the announcement, the Inland Revenue Department (IRD), has clarified what categories of items qualify for vat-free shopping.

One of the categories is groceries. However, many popular grocery items were already vat-free under the previous administration and have so far remained vat-free under the new administration. 

Here is a full list of vat-free grocery items, as made available by the Inland Revenue Department (IRD).

• Non-packaged white rice
• Milk
• Chicken back, neck, and wings
• Sausages (canned and packaged)
• Chicken thigh, leg quarters, breast, and drumsticks (Whole chickens are not included)
• Turkey back, neck, and wings
• Canned tuna 
• Canned sardines 
• Cereals 
• Baby formula 
• Non-packaged wheat flour 
• Onions
• Garlic
• Lentils 
• Categories of health drinks (these include but are not limited to Ensure, Supligen, Boost, Pediasure, Nutriment, and Glucerna)
• Adult diapers 
• Energy saving bulbs 
• Water heaters 
• Exercise books 
• Packages 
• Containers 
• Labels and bottles 
• Computers 
• Solar Water heaters
• Solar panels 
• Biodegradable containers or biodegradable packaging for food
• Phosphate-feee detergents 
• Bakery products (including cakes, biscuits, and pastries) 
• Toilet paper 
• Sanitary tampons and towels, napkins, and napkin liners for babies 
• Undergarments 
• Prescription medicines 

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