Vehicle imports: Govt asked to allow import of cars

Importers say this will give more choice to customers and discourage smuggling

KARACHI: Car importers have urged the government to allow commercial imports in addition to the current car import schemes in order to provide more choice to car customers.

In a letter written to Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, All Pakistan Motor Dealers Association (APMDA) Chairman HM Shahzad said the government should also allow the import of used vehicles up to 10 years old.

He argued that with more car imports, the government would get more revenue and hence, commercial imports were in the interest of the government and the consumers alike.

At present, importers can import only three-year-old used cars.

Shahzad accused local carmakers of cartelisation through which they could dictate the small car market of the country.

“Local car assemblers increase prices as per their needs, which hurt the interests of the customers.

The government can only discourage this by opening up car imports,” he added.

He demanded that the government reduce import duty on used vehicles to discourage car smuggling into the country.

Citing the example of Amnesty Scheme of March 2013, he said the scheme allowed the registration of 52,000 smuggled vehicles without any age-limit consideration because of high import duties. “Age limit on used car imports has encouraged smuggling in the country.”

Published in The Express Tribune, April 21^st,  2015.

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