Motor vehicle pre-shipment inspection certification to be implemented February 1

Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Karl Samuda, speaking at a media briefing to update the country on the scrap metal industry, motor vehicle pre-shipment regime and the refined sugar regime, at the Ministry’s New Kingston offices, on Tuesday, January 23, 2018.

As of February 1, 2018, the motor vehicle pre-shipment inspection certification is to be implemented. This is a provision under the Motor Vehicle Import Policy, Ministry Paper 36/14 and will apply to used motor vehicles imported by dealers or individuals.

This was disclosed by Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Karl Samuda at a press briefing held at the Ministry’s New Kingston office on January 23, 2018.

“A great deal of work and thought was put in to reach this stage as we have now finalised all the preparatory work, which has been approved by Cabinet, the Order has been signed and we are all ready to go by February 1”, the Minister stated.

He said that under the previous motor vehicle importation regime, vehicles would be imported based on the strength of information and documentation given by the importers. What was discovered was a series of incidents with persons importing one particular vehicle with discrepancies between the age of the vehicles stated and also their mileage. As it relates to the mileage, the odometers would reflect a hardly used vehicle, which would therefore attract a much higher price.

The minister said that on inspection and after careful examination, the Trade Board came to the conclusion that because of the number of incidents that occurred, the Ministry had to do something about it.

“We visited other countries and looked at their regulations and sourced organisations that were prepared to assist us with pre-shipment inspection, and we put this out to the general public for them to examine what our options were”, the Minister informed.

He informed that the chosen company that would undertake pre-shipment inspection was selected, and one of the factors that contributed significantly with regards to the selection was the fact that, having examined the vehicle, and determined the accuracy of the condition of the vehicle the exporter would then have no access to the vehicle, it would be isolated and shipped directly to Jamaica.

He further explained that the Ministry had to move ahead very quickly as information was received that there was an accumulation of vehicles for shipment to Jamaica, which he suspected was in anticipation of the introduction of this regulation.

“So in an effort to ensure that the consumers of Jamaica get the best possible deals we felt it necessary to step up the pace and to have it introduced no later than the February 1”, Minister Samuda said.

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