Consumers have been reminded to brace themselves of new increased prices of over 1000 imported items which come into effect from tomorrow.

These items come under the 37% tariff band.

Some of the items are imported Chicken, imported beef, pork, prawns, hams and other processed meats, imported butter, eggs, tomatoes, cauliflower, corned meat of sheep or lamb, chewing gum, chocolate confectionary and imported biscuits, citrus fruits, peanut butter, soy sauce, tomato sauce, ice cream and other edible ice, imported mineral water, imported alcohol and cigarettes, fireworks, apparel made from leather, wooden windows and doors, tableware and kitchen ware, envelopes, toilet paper, table cloths, sanitary towels and tampons, imported undergarments, other garments for men, boys, women and girls, gloves and mittens, steel toed footwear and other imported footwear, including sports footwear and equipment, nails, video tapes and compact discs, motor vehicles and heavy machinery and metal and wooden furniture’s.

These items, except for imported chicken and chicken portions do not come under price control and the wholesalers and retailers will be at liberty to put mark up prices on these items to recover the costs of import and distribution of the goods.