NASSAU, BAHAMAS – A Bahamian auto dealer suggested yesterday that the government should consider reducing the age limit for used imports from ten years to seven years.
This, he argued, would promote the importation of newer, more fuel-efficient, and safer vehicles.
Fred Albury, principal of Automall, shared with Eyewitness News his concerns about the rampant corruption associated with the importation of used cars. His comments followed a warning from the Consumer Protection Commission (CPC) regarding a surge in fraudulent activities linked to Japanese vehicle imports. Recently, scammers posing as legitimate representatives of Japanese importers have targeted Bahamian consumers.
In an email response to Eyewitness News, Aulbury stated: “The Ministry of Finance had cracked down on individuals importing and selling via online and on the side of the streets. I believe that if you import more than five vehicles in a year then you are considered a dealer or broker and you will be required to produce a business license.”
He continued: “The scammers have gotten smart and now import in the individual name direct and become the middle man to facilitate the import. This way they avoid having to produce a business license. They use individuals to import for them so they can get the vehicles to sell to someone else. The large used car exporters in Japan like SBT and Be Forward have set up shop as a logistics company to facilitate the import of vehicles for individuals. They collect funds, do the customs clearance and deliver the vehicle for you. Would be interested to know what they pay in business license fees as they are basically an online store collecting funds for goods and importing but directly in the customer’s name. This way, they possibly avoid the business license fees required if imported in their name.Compare this to what we pay by being a full-fledged dealer with facilities that pays property taxes, employs a lot of Bahamians and pays a hell of a lot of business license fees based on our turn over.”
Albury emphasized the validity of the Consumer Protection Commission’s advisory which urged consumers to adhere to the following guidelines:
- Verify company legitimacy through the Commission if unsure.
- Use secure payment methods or third-party escrow services rather than direct payments to individuals.
- Retain receipts and communications for at least six months.
Albury went on to state: “Some large exporters attempt to sell vehicles during transit; unsold ones may enter customs for auction, potentially with corrupt practices favoring the exporter. Jamaica requires an import license for used vehicles, disclosing the importer upfront. Similar measures could enhance transparency here, ensuring vehicles remain registered in the importer’s name for up to a year.”
Albury concluded: “I also think that it is about time Government looks at reducing the age from ten years to seven years for used imports. This would help ensure better, more fuel efficient and safer vehicles are being imported.”
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