End to tip included restaurant bills

INCLUDING TIPS  on restaurant and hotel bills  became illegal in Panama on Wednesday, July 3 , when President Juan Carlos Varela signed off on a consumers’rights bill..

“The new rule states that the tip or gratuity for the service is voluntary, so it will not be included as an additional charge to the price agreed or announced, except in the case of services pre-contracted  in which the gratuity charge is determined ” says  a statement of the Ministry of Communication
It adds that , the tip may be suggested, provided that the total is specified in the bill to pay, including taxes or fees and also display a clearly differentiated total to pay, including taxes, fees and suggested tip.

The bill also  provides obligations of the supplier accept  coins or notes of any denomination without submitting personal identification.

The legislation specifies that in the case of parking  services a sign must be displayed saying: “This place does not offer free parking to customers.”  It must also announce the rates and conditions of service “.

The law, take effect from its promulgation, also provides that the supplier must accept coins or notes of any denomination duty without  personally identifiction, provided they are legal tender in the Republic of Panama as well as deliver the exact change..

Any establishment selling goods must display the price  accurately and  clearly visible to the public
“Provider adoption of any practice that misleads the consumer to confusion or misleading about the price of goods and services is prohibited,” said the statemen