Customs Comptroller John Rolle said on Monday that more consideration should be given to the idea of placing a ban on wrecked vehicles because if not implemented properly it could have serious implications on a significant revenue generator for the government.
According to Mr. Rolle, the plan being pushed by Trade and Industry Minister Leslie Miller lacks clarity. Rolle said authorities would first have to specifically define exactly which cars are being banned.
“I wrote to the minister indicating some difficulties,” he revealed in an interview with The Bahama Journal. “While the concept may be one that we would all want to see introduced, certain things must happen even by law.
“I think that the term he used was wrecked cars. If you use the term wrecked then how do we determine what a wrecked vehicle is? Certain basic things must be decided upon and I guess in due term that would all be taken care of.”
Minister Miller has said that placing a ban on the importation of wrecked vehicles would protect unsuspecting consumers who are duped into purchasing vehicles that are unfit for driving in the United States.
Minister Miller said if a vehicle is considered unfit for driving in the United States, it should also be considered unfit for driving in The Bahamas.
Mr. Rolle pointed out that both new and used cars have their share of problems.
“We have more second-hand vehicles that come in than new. In fact, you have problems with the second-hand and similar problems with the new,” Mr. Rolle said. “-I am not choosing as to which one is more convenient, but as the law stands, the rate on the lower value vehicles still remains lower than a new and valuable vehicle.”
Anyone bringing in a vehicle valued at under $10,000 is required to pay duty of 45 percent on it. On the other end of the spectrum, a vehicle valued at more than $25,000 has a duty of 75 percent attached.
By: Perez Clarke, The Bahama Journal
