GUIDELINES FOR MOTOR VEHICLE DEALERSHIP TRADE BOARD LIMITED 10 TH FLOOR AIR JAMAICA BUILDING 72 HARBOUR STREET KINGSTON

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1 GUIDELINES FOR MOTOR VEHICLE DEALERSHIP TRADE BOARD LIMITED 10 TH FLOOR AIR JAMAICA BUILDING 72 HARBOUR STREET KINGSTON Introduction 1.1 The Trade Board Limited is responsible for the certification of all commercial importers of Motor Vehicles. Motor vehicle dealership status will be granted subject to compliance with the criteria laid down by the Government (Section 12.0, Revised Motor Vehicle Import Policy Ministry Paper #73). 1.0 New and Used Motor Vehicle Dealership Requirements Specific criteria have been developed for the certification of new and used car dealers. Once these criteria are satisfied and the appropriate documents are submitted Trade Board approves certification, The New and Used Automotive Dealers will be able to import on their own account, and have the related revenue collected by the Government. These specifications require Dealers to: 1.1 Be registered under the Companies Act. 1.2 Have a permanent address and location of operations approved and inspected by the responsible Ministry. 1.3 Be registered with the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), National Housing Trust (NHT) and the Tax Audit and Assessment Department. 1.4 Have a valid Taxpayer Registration Number (TRN) 1.5 Stock spare parts of ten percent (10%) of inventory (used motor vehicle dealers), and offer related services. 1.6 Offer an expressed warranty on each unit sold, and comply with obligations under the Fair Competition Act (FCA). 1.7 Provide adequate repair and servicing facilities. 1.8 Undergo an annual inspection and payment of a fee as determined by the responsible Ministry.

2 2.0 Documents Required For Certification Process 2.1 Completed application form. 2.2 Letter stating name, home address, TRN of manager or chief operating officer. 2.3 Copies of Certificate of Incorporation, (Articles of Association, Memorandum of Association), Articles of Incorporation. 2.4 Evidence of registration with the relevant tax entities or a valid Tax Compliance Certificate (T.C.C.). 2.5 Document to substantiate property status, i.e., copy of last tax receipt or copy of lease or rent agreement. 2.6 Copy of receipt to indicate application to the relevant local corporation for the erection of signs. 2.7 TRN of company and all directors. 2.8 All applicants for new car dealership status must submit a copy of the contractual agreement between the manufacturer and the local entity. 3.0 All certified dealers must: 3.1 Provide adequate customs clearance and ensure that vehicles delivered to customers are of mercantile quality. 3.2 Replace or repair defective parts or vehicles free of charge within the warranty period specified Section 9.0 Revised Motor Vehicle Import Policy, Ministry Paper # Notify the Motor Vehicle Import Policy Unit, Trade Board Limited of any changes in ownership, management structure, operations and location. 3.4 Ensure that proper records are kept and accounting guidelines adhered to. 3.5 Government tax policies applicable to the Motor Vehicle trade are adhered to, base on the timetable specified by the relevant tax entities. 3.6 Be aware of his obligations under the Fair Competition Act (Section 37) Sale of Goods Act, which prohibits businesses from making false, or misleading representation to consumers.

3 3.7 Ensure that a motor vehicle sold by description conforms to the description given to the customer at the time when the contract was initiated. 3.8 Ensure that motor vehicles imported are compatible with the Jamaican environment and conforms to the Approved Methods For Determining Model Year - Section 8.0 Revised Motor Vehicle Import Policy, Ministry Paper # Provide manuals in English to all purchasers of motor vehicles, at the time of purchase at no additional cost to the purchaser Ensure that vehicles imported are of the correct model, year (not manufacture year) Section 7.0, Revised Motor Vehicle Import Policy Ensure that import permits are obtained from the Trade Board Limited before finalizing shipment to Jamaica Provide documentary proof of spare parts inventory (invoices/purchase orders) and be subject to random inspection by officers from the relevant Government agencies. 4.0 Certification Process 4.1 All applicants must submit the relevant documents outlined in Section 5.0 of this document. 4.2 A response must be given to all questions on the application form. 4.3 The annual certification fee of Sixty Thousand Dollars ($60,000.00) in cash or manager s cheque must be paid to the Trade Board when the application is submitted. 4.4 When the basic infrastructure is in place, a physical inspection of the facilities will be conducted by officers of the under mentioned Government agencies: Trade Board Limited Ministry of Transport and Works Island Traffic Authority 4.5 The Trade Board will advise the applicant in writing on the outcome of the application. If refused, fifty percent (50%) of the fee will be refunded.

4 4.6 The certification period is for one year, thus it expires on the anniversary date of each dealer. The dealership along with the relevant Government agencies will be notified in writing if dealers do not apply for recertification within the specified time period. 4.7 All approved dealership will be subject to a due diligence check to be done by the Financial Investigation Division of the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service. 4.8 All applications for re-certification must be made directly to the Trade Board Limited two months prior to the expiration date. The completed application form must be submitted along with a valid TCC, letter indicating the name, address, TRN of current manager and the stipulated fee ($60,000.00). 5.0 Guidelines for Importation of Buses 5.1 Prior to applying to Trade Board persons/organizations seeking to import vehicles (six) seats and over into Jamaica must submit a letter to the Trade Board and copies of the following: The first page of completed order and clearance permit form Proforma Invoice/ Invoice from supplier detailing specifics of the vehicle such as engine and chassis numbers, seating capacity, model year etc. OR Ownership documents in applicant (s) name (Certificate of Title or Registration). Identification of Applicant from any of the following: Passport Driver s Licence National Voter s Identification Documentary proof of legal status (e.g. Certificate of Incorporation). 5.2 Buses to be used in the public transportation sector must have a letter of support from the Transport Authority, 119 Maxfield Avenue, Kingston Buses being used in the Tourism Sector must have a letter of support from the Ministry of Tourism, 64 Knutsford Boulevard, Kingston 5.

5 Proof that the persons/organizations are duly registered with the Tourist Board to operate as a contract carriage. 5.4 Buses being imported by schools must have a letter from the Schools and support from the Ministry of Education & Culture, National Heroes Circle, Kingston Buses being imported by Companies for the transportation of employees must be accompanied by a letter setting out very clearly: The nature and location of business The approximate number of employees to be transported in the Units. The hours the bus will be employed and destination to be travelled (schedule). 5.6 Requests for duly concession if required must be clearly stated in writing. N.B. Concessions are not automatic. REMINDER: Vehicles are not to be imported before obtaining a licence from the Trade 1 Board Limited. 5.7 Buses with seating capacity less than fifteen are not allowed for public transportation in the Kingston Metropolitan Transport Region (KMTR). 5.8 Buses eight (8) seats and over must be constructed to allow passengers to enter/exit on the curbside of the road. 5.9 Persons and organizations seeking to acquire buses made for use in countries where driving is on the right-hand side of the road, (i.e., left-hand drive units), must have the doors modified for passengers to enter/exit on the curbside of the road prior to importation. Headlamps must also be modified as required by the Road Traffic Act and Regulations Buses acquired for public transportation (15 seats and over), Tourism and other activities approved by Ministry of Finance and the Public Service attract concessionary rates of Customs Duty Buses fifteen (15) seats and over must be fixed with emergency exits as required by the Road Traffic Act and Regulations. Prepared by The Motor Vehicle Import Policy Unit Ministry of Commerce Science and Technology December12, 2005

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