Japanese Used Cars for St. Vincent & the Grenadines – Import Rules & Shipping

St. Vincent and the Grenadines does not permit the importation of motor vehicles that are 12 years old or older. For vehicles below this legal age limit, vehicle age also has an important effect on the amount of surcharge payable.

Customs states that the vehicle surcharge increases substantially once a vehicle is more than eight years old and advises buyers to avoid purchasing vehicles over eight years old.

Importantly, vehicle age is calculated from the year of manufacture. The model year or first-registration year shown on a Japanese auction listing may not always be the same as the actual manufacture date. Customers should therefore confirm the manufacture date before bidding, especially when purchasing an older vehicle.

Vehicle import taxes in St. Vincent and the Grenadines depend on factors including vehicle classification, fuel type, engine capacity, seating capacity, intended use and vehicle age.

Charges can include import duty, excise tax, Customs Service Charge, environmental tax (vehicle surtax) and Value Added Tax (VAT). The current standard import VAT rate for motor vehicles is 15%.

Vehicles more than four years old may also attract an age-related environmental tax (vehicle surtax). The amount varies according to the applicable vehicle category.

Because the calculation varies considerably by vehicle, customers should use the current official St. Vincent and the Grenadines Customs Vehicle Import Duty Calculator or obtain a calculation from a licensed Customs Broker before purchasing.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines Customs currently requires an importer to engage a licensed Customs Broker to prepare the Customs Declaration in ASYCUDA World.

The broker prepares a Bill of Sight containing the vehicle specifications and submits it for valuation verification before the Customs Declaration is assessed.

Customers should keep purchase records and proof of payment available because Customs may request supporting information when verifying the declared value of an imported vehicle.

Sea cargo is handled through facilities including Kingstown and the Campden Park Container Port. The appropriate arrival facility depends on the shipping service and cargo arrangement.

Shipping lines, routes, sailing dates, transit times and freight rates from Japan can change. Kaede Trading confirms the available shipping arrangement when preparing each quotation rather than publishing a fixed sailing schedule.

After Customs clearance, imported vehicles must complete the local registration and licensing procedures administered by the Inland Revenue Department. Vehicles must be registered before they can leave the port of entry.

The current registration process requires a properly completed Customs Declaration showing that the vehicle has been valued and the required duties have been paid. Motor-vehicle inspection and licensing requirements also apply locally.

Most Japanese domestic-market vehicles are right-hand drive. A customer wishing to import a left-hand-drive vehicle must obtain prior authorization. The Ministry of Finance provides the application process, while Customs classifies left-hand-drive vehicles as restricted unless a special permit is issued by Cabinet.

Customs documentation can vary according to the transaction. Customers should normally retain the following documents where applicable:

• Original commercial or final invoice with full vehicle details
• Valuation-approved Bill of Sight
• Bill of Lading
• ASYCUDA Waybill / Customs system documentation
• Japanese Export / De-registration Certificate
• Contract of sale where applicable
• Insurance certificate where applicable
• Customs Declaration and assessment documents
• Proof of payment or additional transaction records if requested
• Left-hand-drive authorization where applicable

Kaede Trading can help you search Japanese vehicle auctions, review auction information, arrange an optional third-party pre-bid inspection when available, purchase the selected vehicle and coordinate export and shipping arrangements to St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Send us the make, model, year, engine size and budget you are looking for. For older vehicles, we can also help you check the available manufacture-date information before bidding.