Customs terminates car stamping

Customs has ceased stamping imported used cars with identifying numbers as part of an effort to reduce red tape, according to the Customs General Director Badri Daher.

The stamping process entails engraving serial numbers on the chassis and engines of used cars, as well as new cars that do not have numbers. It required stamping the customs declaration number, abbreviation of the port’s name and the year the car was imported.

“Cars stamping is a local invention,” Daher said. “It adds up the procedures and the time required for importing the cars.” The process is no longer necessary as new cars have numbered chassis.

The car stamping process cost customers around $100, which included duties, bribes, and delayed the importation process. Eliminating the stamping process will reduce customer costs.

Cancelation of the car stamping process also saves public funds, according to Daher. Around 50 employees are involved in the process, which costs the Treasury around LL2 billion ($1.3 million) yearly in wages, compensations, equipment, and office fees.

Customs began stamping imported cars in 1971 to prevent vehicle owners from registering their cars without paying customs duties.

Eliminating the stamping process is part of a strategic plan recently announced by the Customs Administration. “Electronic inspection of the cars and the cancelation of car certificates are the coming steps,” Daher said.

Reported by Gisele Khalaf