THE GOVERNMENT, effective July 1, 2004, has introduced new policy measures governing motor vehicle imports.
According to Minister of Commerce, Science & Technology, the Honourable Phillip Paulwell, the new policy measures were introduced following consultations with the key stakeholders in
the industry.
"The policy is reviewed from time to time, in keeping with the needs of consumers, motor vehicle dealers, environmental concerns and Government objectives," Minister Paulwell said in a recent press release.
Under the revised policy, restrictions will be placed on the importation of damaged vehicles by dealers as well as the transfer of vehicles prior to customs clearance.
HALF CARS AND CLIPS
The importation of half cars and clips (parts and accessories) will only be approved by the Trade Board for repairs to a vehicle that is registered, or was previously registered to be operated in Jamaica.
Motor vehicle dealers will no longer be permitted to import vehicles that have been salvaged or are in a damaged condition, under the new provisions.
The Island Traffic Authority will not issue certificates of fitness where 'new' vehicles have been created from clips or half cars. Additionally, the Inland Revenue Department is no longer licensing, for the first time, cars older than three years, light commercial vehicles older than four years, or vehicles not accompanied by the relevant customs documentation.
In cases where vehicles do not exist or are not properly accounted for in the customs database, those vehicles will not be licensed and may be referred to the Financial Investigations Division of the Ministry of Finance for further investigation.
According to the statement from the commerce ministry, the revised policy states that a certified dealer, who is the importer on record at Customs, will be held responsible for breaches of the policy. Additionally, anyone who imports a motor vehicle, or a part thereof, without first obtaining the required import permit, will be liable to a fine equivalent to three times the value of the goods plus seizure of these goods, in accordance with Section 210 of the Customs Act.
On the matter of duty concessions, the revised policy states, that any individual/company/organisation enjoying a duty concession must produce documentary proof of such concession to the Trade Board at the time of application.
New and used car dealers are required to provide purchasers who have a duty concession with a copy of the C-78 customs entry form and to provide all purchasers with a sales invoice indicating base price and GCT.
Warranties provided by used car dealers on imported motor vehicles will now include major electrical components, such as computers. Previously, the required 90-day warranty covered the engine, transmission, differential, steering gear, drive chain, and front end of the vehicle.
Under the revised policy, all documents required to obtain an import permit licence must now be in English in order to gain Customs clearance. Automobile dealers must also provide manuals in English to all purchasers of motor vehicles. The manuals must be supplied at the time of purchase at no additional cost to the purchaser.
New requirements have also been introduced regarding the deregistration or certificate of title. A copy of the de-registration or original title must now accompany all imports of used vehicles. This must be presented by the vendor to the purchaser at the time of the sale of the vehicle and presented to the Inland Revenue Department when the vehicle is being
registered.
In all instances, the dealer must ensure that there is no misrepresentation to the consumer.
The amended policy also includes three methods for determining the model year of motor vehicles, the ISO Standard (ISO 3779-1983), the Japanese International Standard (JIS D-4901-1982), and the Japanese Automobile Age Verification Manual.
INFORMATION AVAILABLE
In situations where the ISO, JIS and Age Verification Manual are not applicable, the Island Traffic Authority (ITA) may use any information available to determine a motor vehicle's model year. This may include the make, model or other features, as the ITA may consider relevant.
Certificates of First Registration will not be accepted as proof of the 'model year' of a vehicle.
Since February 1989 various policy measures have been introduced to liberalise the importation of motor vehicles into Jamaica.
