The new import duty rates go into effect this weekend.As of Sunday, a standard rate of 25 percent will be charged for such items as clothes, jewellery, electronics and household furniture and appliances.The duty for wine and champagne will be $2.63 per litre; spirits $9.66 for the same amount.The duty stands at 33.5 percent for such items as batteries, generators, air conditioners and vehicle parts.Smokers hoping to cut costs by purchasing cartons of cigarettes abroad, will have to pay $40 per carton of 200 cigarettes.The rates apply to all goods that accompany returning residents.Reading materials, corrective eye glasses, computer software and prescription drugs remain duty-free.In addition, every returning resident is allowed a duty-free allowance of $200 on accompanied goods; visitors are allowed to bring gifts not exceeding $30 in value.All passengers are allowed one litre of spirits, one litre of wine, .5kg of tobacco, 50 cigars and 200 cigarettes duty-free.The rates were released as a public reminder by Collector of Customs Winifred Fostine-DeSilva.