Deregistration looms for 18 Manchester auto businesses over missing ownership filings

At least 18 car dealers and related vehicle businesses in Manchester are facing possible deregistration by the Companies Office of Jamaica (COJ) for failing to file beneficial-ownership returns, according to an analysis by the Financial Gleaner.

The firms are among more than 1,000 businesses, churches, foundations, charities and other organisations islandwide named in a COJ strike-off notice dated July 8, 2026, and published in The Gleaner on September 25.

The Gleaner identified at least 18 Manchester-based auto dealers, car-rental operators, auto-parts businesses and vehicle importers on the list. The Gleaner didn’t get immediate responses from those contacted on the list up to print.

The notice says the Registrar of Companies had “reasonable cause to believe” the companies failed to deliver Annual Beneficial Ownership Returns within the period set by the Companies Act. It gave them three months to show cause why they shouldn’t be struck from the register and dissolved. Unless cause is shown, the notice says, the companies will be removed and dissolved.

The notice alleges only a failure to file. It doesn’t say whether any of the companies have since complied.

Manchester hosts a relatively high number of used-car dealers for its population.

Beneficial-ownership reporting requires companies to disclose the individuals who ultimately own, control or exercise significant influence over them. The COJ says the requirement applies to both for-profit and non-profit entities. It was introduced as part of Jamaica’s efforts to strengthen corporate transparency and anti-money-laundering safeguards.

Under the Companies Act, the registrar can remove companies from the register through a formal strike-off process, which includes publishing a notice and giving companies a chance to show cause. The COJ says failing to meet filing obligations can lead to late fees, legal action and removal from the register.

business@gleanerjm.com