MRA Chalks out Billboard Tax

The MRA recently sorted the fee structure according to the billboard size.

“The permission of the Road Development Authority (RDA) should be sought when the advertising structure is visible from the M1 Port Louis-Plaisance Dual Coverage and M2 Port Louis-Pamplemousses Dual Coverage Motorways and A1 to A13 and B1 to B119 main roads,” MRA sources told The Independent.

For an advertising structure visible from a place other than this, permission should be sought from the municipal council or district council.

Any billboard has to be registered with the MRA within 14 days of obtaining the operation permit.

Following payment of the tax, a vignette to be affixed on the bottom-right hand of the billboard will be issued.

Advertisement on a road vehicle, which is not mainly used for advertising purposes, a structure within 100 feet of a building or site which merely discloses the name or nature of the business carried out on the site or name of the owner or manager of the business, are not considered advertising structures.

Estimating that there are around 1,000 billboards around the country, the tax is expected to generate at least Rs 30 million revenue.