By Ayanna Kirton, Staff Reporter
AS THE automotive world changes and the four-wheel drive becomes more of a status symbol than a defence against rugged terrain, Jamaicans have caught on to the craze. Usually imported, these trucks and sport-utility-vehicles are subject to high duties levied by the government, which can considerably up the ante on the cost of the vehicle.
However, these costs are apparently no deterrent to drivers with discerning tastes, as the Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Avalanche and other relatively high-end vehicles have become quite popular on local roads.
If you're toying with the idea of importing an SUV yourself, here are the costs you can expect to incur based on the manufacturer's suggested retail price or cost of the vehicle.
- A Cadillac Escalade ESV may retail for about US$56,000 (5300 CC).
- Chevrolet Avalanche - about US$36,000 (5300 CC).
- Mercedes Benz M Class about US$37,000-67,000 (5400 CC).
- Mercedes Benz G Class - US$74,000 -$89,000 (5400 CC).
- Land Rover Range Rover - about US$72,000 (5300 CC).
Freight costs or the cost of shipping the SUV to Jamaica: duty/ G.C.T will vary based on the CC (cubic centimetres) rating or weight.
Wharfage: a fixed cost paid to the wharf for its services.
Port development cess: collected by wharf operators on the government's behalf. The rate is about 42 cents per cubic foot of the vehicle.
Storage fee: You should expect to pay a storage fee if your car is on the wharf for more than 10 days.
Broker's fees: Fees paid to broker for his/ her services. For instance, if you choose to import a Cadillac Escalade ESV, the manufacturer's suggested retail price is US$56,000, freight US$2,000 for a total of US$58,000.
The vehicle would also incur additional costs of US$580 or one per cent of US$58,000 for cost, insurance and freight.
For Customs valuation purposes, vehicles of this size fall under the category "Exceeding 3200 CC" and are usually for non-commercial purposes. The duties levied are 288 per cent of the total cost calculated above. In this case, the duty of your Escalade would be just over J$9.4 million. The total costs, including duties, would be just over J$12.7 million. Broker fees are not included and may vary from broker to broker.
