Should you import your vehicle?

There are several options for buying a car. You might be interested in buying a ‘new’ car off the lot, someone who has a car might advertise it for sale in the paper, banks might be also advertise repossessed cars  or you can import one from overseas.

Have you ever really considered importing a vehicle?

The Motor Vehicle Imports Policy has been amended to allow for importation of motor cars and light commercial vehicles of ages not exceeding five (5) years and six (6) years, respectively.

Factors to Consider when importing vehicles

People import cars for different reasons. For some, it is because they believe it is the only way of getting a car in good g condition, while for others, it is because they cannot find the car of their choice locally.

Although importing a car enables one to save, you need to look for a certified dealer, who has been long enough in the business.

The negative part about importing a car is that you send money to people you don’t know or have never met. You also need to be patient until your car is delivered. This might take up to several weeks. There are duties and taxes that will have to paid when the car arrives in Jamaica.

After importing the car and using it for some time, you may later decide that you want to sell it and acquire another one. To stand a chance of getting a good deal don’t import a car that will be hard to sell.

For example in Jamaica, left hand drive vehicles are usually harder to sell.  The left hand drive vehicles are also more expensive to insure because they are treated as higher risk vehicles by the insurance companies.

This is because although they can be safely driven, they are not designed to drive on our roads  since we drive on the left.

The following documents are required to import vehicles to Jamaica:

Invoice

ID (for Individuals e.g. Drivers License, Passport, National ID)
TRN (Tax Registration Number)

Import licence

Title

Bill of Lading/Order

Bill of Sight

Tax Compliance

Import Entry (C87)

More information can be found on the website of The Jamaica Customs Department.

So what is your take? Will you import your vehicle? Let me hear from you!

Teri Ann Renee Paisley

Gleaner online writer

Tags: vehicle