Import regulations on Japanese used vehicles in St. Kitts and Nevis


Japan has always been a popular source for transportation of used and new vehicle. Popularity of used Japanese cars is due to their striking specifications, good condition and high quality. Almost every country in the world import used vehicle from Japan. Buying a car is not an easy task as it involves a lot of cost cutting and for some it is beyond their financial limits. Thus, a more sensible decision is to buy a used vehicle as one gets a quality vehicle at reliable rates.


Saint Kitts and Nevis, officially Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis state is a major importer of Japanese used vehicles. It is composed of two islands of the Lesser Antilles in the eastern Caribbean Sea. With every passing day, the popularity of Japanese used vehicles is increasing. Port for shipment of used vehicle is Basseterre in St. Kitts and Long Point in Nevis. Driving is done on the left side of the road and importation of right hand drive vehicles is allowed in St. Kitts and Nevis.

Documents required for port clearance:-
  • Bill of Sight
  • Import License
  • Bill of Lading
  • Commercial/ Purchase Invoice

Import duty and taxes:-

Import Duty- 45%

VAT- 17%

Vehicle Environmental Levy (VEL) is based on the aged of vehicle.
  • 4 years or more after the date of manufacture - $5000 E.C.
  • 2 years or more but less than four years after the date of manufacture -$3500 E.C.
  • Less than 2 years - $1000 E.C.

Returning Nationals:-
A citizen of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis who has lived abroad for a continuous 10 years or more and has decided to return home permanently. In case the authorities doubt the authenticity of the applicant, a deposit will be collected. However, duties will be refunded if later the applicant is found worthy.

Returning Nationals bringing automobiles into the Federation will be required to pay the following charges-:
  • Customs Service Charge: 12%.
  • Environmental Levy
    • For cars 2 years or more after the date of manufacture, but less than 4 years after the date of manufacture: $3,500.
    • For cars imported 4 years or more years after the date of manufacture: $5,000.

Concession will be given on only one vehicle imported within a family. The returning resident must owned the vehicle for at least one year prior to arriving in the Federation, and be accompanied with a copy of the title from the country of origin. The vehicle must be cleared from Customs within six months after arrival in the nation.

The ownership and/or control of the vehicle must not be transferred within four years of the grant of the concession. If the vehicle, on which the concession is granted, is sold within four years, then the importer should notify the Competent Authority, so that the appropriate duties could be collected at the time of sale. Where at any time within four years of the grant of the concession the Competent Authority finds that the condition above is disobeyed, the returning national may be ordered to pay on demand the proportionate part of the duty and taxes due on the vehicle.

Returning students who have been abroad for less than ten years should produce to the Customs Officer some form of documentation from the college/university proving that they were out studying. Concession is given at the discretion of the Comptroller of Customs.

Conditions for obtaining duty-free concessions:-
  • The returning national intends to return home within a period of six months from the date of application to take up permanent residence.
  • Returning resident should not transfer the vehicle to another party either as a sale or a gift. In case the importer has to sell the vehicle, then he/she should inform Customs and making arrangements to pay the duty on the residual value.
  • In order to be considered as a returning resident, returning national should during first three years of return, must not return abroad and reside there continuous period of more than 3 months.

Note- Used vehicle importer should comply with the above specified conditions. In case any of the above specified conditions are not satisfied then should pay all the duties on imported vehicles.

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