GRA identifies Japanese company to inspect second-hand vehicles headed for Guyana

The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) is following through with efforts to curb the importation of “lemon” motor vehicles in Guyana and has identified the first Japanese company authorized to conduct inspection services on vehicles headed here.

The GRA announced that following up on public notifications relating to the new requirements for purchases and imports of used motor vehicles, “presently, AutoTerminal Japan Limited has met the specifications required and is the first authorized inspection agency for the required vehicle inspection certificates.”

“This means that effective February 1, 2025, AutoTerminal Japan Ltd. will be the first and presently the only competent authority in the Country of Export, for provision of the Vehicle Inspection Certificate, which must be uploaded along with all other pertinent documents in ASYCUDA to process the respective customs declarations.”

The GRA reminded that all licensed Customhouse Brokers must liaise with their respective clients and ensure that the Inspection Certificate is included when the declaration is submitted in ASYCUDA. “Failure to submit the Inspection Certificate may result in the Customs Declaration not being processed or the vehicles not being released,” the agency said. It noted however that vehicles already purchased and shipped prior to February 1, 2025 will not be affected by the new requirement.

The GRA stated December last, that emanating from numerous consumer complaints and in an effort to curb the importation of faulty ‘lemon’ vehicles, it hosted a meeting with the importers and dealers of the motor vehicles notifying them that effective January 1, 2025, they would all be required to provide with other relevant documents, an inspection certificate issued by a competent inspection authority in the country from where the vehicles are purchased and imported. This new February 1 requirement now identifies a named Authority to provide the inspection certificate for all used motor vehicles coming out of Japan.

The company’s website says that AutoTerminal Japan Ltd “is a leading company that conducts the highest level of inspections on behalf of customers who export or import used vehicles from Japan. Our inspections are carried out under government regulation and ISO 17020 accreditation to ensure the quality of the vehicles, meeting your requirements.”

Responding to the GRA notice in a Facebook post, the Guyana Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission saw the new requirement as a positive for consumers, as they too have been bombarded with complaints about purchasing used vehicles from dealers and importers that were defective, malfunctioning and unsafe. “This is a win for consumers. Thanks for being proactive with this initiative,” the Commission commented.

The GRA is expected to add other competent authorities to the list of companies authorized to inspect used vehicles coming into the country.