EXEMPTION ON MORATORIUM ON IMPORTATION OF MOTOR VEHICLES

The Ministry of Finance, Trade, Investment and Economic Planning (MOFTIEP) would like to remind the general public that as per the announcement of the Minister of Finance, Mr. Maurice Loustau-Lalanne in the revised budget for the fiscal year 2020, and a moratorium has been imposed on the importation of motor vehicles. The measure is imposed as part of the response to the economic impacts brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In light of the above, the Ministry would like to bring to the attention of the public the following exemptions applicable in light of the moratorium:

 1. Returning graduates and residents

Individuals who meet the requirements as returning graduates and residents and can prove that payment for the vehicle being imported was not made from a local account nor involved any local transfer of funds after the announcement was made on the 7th April 2020 will be allowed to import their vehicle, subject to meeting the requirements of the respective policies of the Department of Land Transport.

 2. Importation of special purpose vehicles

Importation of the following special purpose vehicles are permitted subject to satisfying the technical specifications and requirements of the Department of Land Transport:

The Ministry would like to inform that all taxes and formalities on all motor vehicles stipulated above remain applicable upon importation. Individuals or companies that have effected payment to local or overseas suppliers before the 7th April 2020 are excluded from the moratorium and may apply for an import permit upon submission of satisfactory proof of payment along with the application for the import permit.

Source; finance.gov.sc