The Ministry of Home Affairs, Transportation, Broadcasting, Energy and Utilities and Telecommunications Commission, in collaboration with the Ministry of Immigration and Border Services and the Office of the Premier hereby advises the public that, commencing September 1, 2021, there will be a ban on the importation of used and rethreaded tires for motor vehicles, as well as a ban on the importation of motor vehicles aged beyond ten (10) years. This does not include antique vehicle models.
Cabinet, at its meeting of July 21, 2021, considered and approved the implementation of the vehicle and tire policies as a part of the environmental protection, consumer safety and waste management objectives of the Government. These measures also support the climate change initiatives which seek to reduce waste and emissions by limiting the improper disposal of derelict and abandoned vehicles and discarded tires, as well as limiting the use of less environmentally responsible manufactured vehicles here in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
To further support these efforts, and to encourage the importation of newer and safer vehicle models and tires, the duty rate in each specific Customs Tariff band will be reduced by 25% effective September 1, 2021. This excludes Hybrids, which will remain at 10 percent.
The only exemption under this policy will be for vehicles and purchases prior to the publication of the release of the Post Cabinet Statement on July 23, 2021.
While a wider policy which speaks to the proper disposal of vehicles and tires, the regulation and control of vehicle dealerships, the introduction of an importer’s license and the development of a public transport authority and public transport system has also been approved, these measures will be implemented in a phased approach.