Importation of Vehicles

Arrangements for shipping a vehicle are made by the owner.Have your shipper or carrier notify you of the vehicle’s arrival date so that you can clear it early and not incur additional Port or Customs charges.You will also need to employ a licensed Customs Broker to handle the preparation of the Customs Declaration.

The following steps will then take place:

  • Importer contacts and engages a customs broker.
  • The customs broker prepares a bill of sight with the vehicle specification.
  • The customs broker then submits the bill of sight to the valuation unit for verification.
  • The Valuation unit verifies the particulars on the bill of sight; adds observation(s) if any; then signs and affix the valuation stamp onto it, as a form approval for other dependent processes.
  • The customs broker will then prepare the Customs declaration within the ASYCUDA-World application, using the bill of sight, commercial invoice and other supporting documents.

The supporting documents for customs declaration include:

1. An original invoice from the suppliers indicating:

  • the condition of sale
  • the supplier’s name
  • the buyer’s name
  • the price paid or payable
  • the terms of delivery e.g., C.I.F, F.O.B, or C&F
  • Full description of the vehicle (type, model, engine number or VIN number, colour, engine size, and weight).

2. Valuation approved Bill of Sight containing vehicle specification.

3. Contract of sale if applicable

4. The shipper’s or carrier’s bill of lading

5. Insurance Certificate, if applicable

6. Export / Cancellation Certificate 

 

After the declaration is prepared, the broker will then perform a function inside the ASYCUDA application called validate and assess’, to ascertain the duties and taxes payable on the vehicle.

Payment is then being made at a Customs Cashier; or by the broker at the point of assessment (if the importer has a prepayment account with the Customs Department). To make payment at the cashier a copy of the assessment notice is needed (a printout is obtained from the broker), along with the payment.

While at the cashier a second copy of the customs declaration is stamp with a duty paid – for licensing purposes at the Inland Revenue department.

After payment, a physical copy of the declaration with the original invoice; the first (1st) copy of the approved valuation bill of sight and the other supporting documents mentioned above is submitted to the customs department through the lodgment desk.

The declaration and its supporting documents will then go to the relevant sections, responsible for the checking and processing of the declaration.

The status of the declaration can be viewed by the broker within the ASYCUDA-World application; the broker can collect the declaration through the lodgment desk, once the checking process is completed or if there are any errors to correct.

If there are errors, the broker will then correct those errors via the ASYCUDA application and make additional payment at the cashier if required; then resubmit the declaration through the lodgment desk for further checking.

Once everything on the declaration is correct, the importer or the broker can procedure to the clearance station, where the vehicle is located for release.

The Customs officer at the clearance station will issue a release order document to the importer or agent. This release order is then taken to the Port Authority, along with the delivery from the vessel agent to obtain Gate Pass. Before the Port Authority issues a gate pass payment (s) for tailgates and/or storage must be paid.

 

Before the vehicle can exit the gate, it must be insured (insurance company of choice) and licensed by the Inland Revenue department. Vehicles must bear a D license (for licensed vehicle dealers) plate or otherwise be insured and licensed before being driven from the Port.

For Customs clearance, the following documents must be presented to the Customs Valuation section:

  • An original Invoice from the supplier
  • A Bill of Sight prepared for verification of the information.
  • A prepared Customs entry.
  • The Shipper’s or carrier’s original Bill of Loading. 
  • Insurance Certificate, if applicable.