…GRA warns dealers

THE Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) is warning importers of used vehicles that the restriction on eight-year-old vehicles is being enforced, thus persons who violate the restriction will see their consignment dumped or forfeited.The GRA has, in a statement, urged dealers and other importers to refrain from seeking to import vehicles that are banned, since this is in violation of new regulations that became effective on May 1, 2016.

The revenue agency noted that the recent legislative changes to the Customs Act restrict from entering Guyana motor vehicles that are eight years and older from the date of manufacture to the date of importation.
The GRA also said that importers should note that the restriction excludes heavy-duty vehicles, namely trucks, lorries, vehicles used in the agricultural and industrial sectors, and special purpose vehicles. The agency said it has already issued in the media a number of notices to this effect, and therefore urges vehicle importers to desist from purchasing such vehicles and attempting to import same.

Vehicles in contravention of the new regulations, GRA said, will be forfeited and disposed of in accordance with the provisions of the Customs laws. Other fines and penalties may also be imposed.
Ensuring Guyana moves away from being a “second-hand economy” and guaranteeing that the country is greener are the thrusts behind government’s move to ban the importation of used and/or re-conditioned vehicles eight years old from the date of manufacture to the date of importation. Finance Minister Winston Jordan said it was clear that Guyana was becoming an environmentally conscious country, and the new measures are accordingly geared at ensuring a green economy, clean environment, and safer equipment and machinery are being used by citizens.

“Take advantage of modern technology,” Jordan remarked.