By Val Matthias. Updated 9:07 p.m., Tuesday, December 2, 2025, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).
Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Legal Affairs & Justice, Economic Planning, and Private Sector Development, Dr. Godwin Friday, today announced that Friday, December 19, 2025, will be the official VAT‑Free Shopping Day in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
The announcement was made during the swearing‑in ceremony of the new Cabinet, where Dr. Friday and his team formally assumed their ministerial portfolios. The Prime Minister emphasized that the VAT‑Free Day is intended to provide holiday relief for households and stimulate consumer spending across the economy.
This confirmation follows a brief delay earlier this week. On December 1st, Dr. Friday explained that the VAT‑Free Day could not be implemented on the first Monday of December as originally promised, citing the timing of the elections and the transition into office. He assured citizens that the measure would be delivered later in the month.
“My commitment is that there will be a VAT‑Free Day later this month,” Dr. Friday said on Monday. “I will make that clear later today what day that should be, and I think people will be very happy about it.”
This announcement fulfills that pledge, setting December 19 as the date when Vincentians can shop without paying Value Added Tax (VAT) on eligible goods.
The VAT‑Free Day was one of the headline promises in Dr. Friday’s campaign and now stands as one of the first major policy actions of his administration. Retailers are expected to see a surge in activity, while consumers will benefit from reduced costs during the holiday season.
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