Electric car import fees

[bluesclues]

So how this working in trinidad? I know they charge u based on engine size for a normal car. Are electric cars exempt from this? Or how they calculating engine size? What can one expect in total fees for a 30k usd electric vehicle import?

[redmanjp]

I think they exempted electric cars from some fees. Or is that CNG I'm thinking about?

[hong kong phooey]

MINISTRY OF FINANCE
CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DIVISION
NOTICE TO IMPORTERS NO. 21 OF 2016
SUBJECT: AMENDMENTS MADE TO:
1) THE FOURTH SCHEDULE TO THE MOTOR
VEHICLES AND ROAD TRAFFIC ACT CHAP. 48:50;
2) THE VALUE ADDED TAX ACT CHAP. 75:06; AND
3) THE CUSTOMS ACT CHAP. 78:01

The attention of all importers is drawn to Parts IV 5(b), VIII 9(b) and IX of Act No. 7 of 2016,
Finance (No.2) Act, 2016 which:
1) Deletes and substitutes paragraphs 8, 8A, 8B, 9 and 10 of the Fourth Schedule to the Motor
Vehicles and Road Traffic Act Chap. 48:50;
2) Deletes and substitutes items 8 and 43 in Schedule 2 to the Value Added Tax Act Chap.
75:06; and
3) Inserts after Section 45A, paragraphs 45B and 45C of the Customs Act Chap. 78:01 and also
expands the description in respect of sub-heading “8708.99.30” of the said Act.
The effects of these amendments are:
1. Motor Vehicles Tax (MVT) and Value Added Tax (VAT) shall not be charged, levied, imposed
and collected in respect of:
New and used motor vehicles, imported for private or commercial use, which are
manufactured to use Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).
This provision applies only to OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) CNG vehicles and
should not be applied to retro–fitted vehicles.
Legal Notice No. 18 of 2016, circulated as Notice to Importers No. 5 of 2016, was replaced by the
relevant terms in Finance (No.2) Act, 2016.
See the table below for effective dates of implementation and expiration.
2. Motor Vehicles Tax (MVT), Value Added Tax (VAT) and Customs Duty shall not be charged,
levied, imposed and collected in respect of:
a) New and used electric vehicles imported for private or commercial use; and
b) New and used hybrid vehicles imported for private or commercial use.
Used electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles and vehicles manufactured to use Compressed Natural Gas,
stated above, must not be older than four years from the year of manufacture for this
exemption to apply.
“Electric vehicle” means a vehicle with an engine size not exceeding 179 kilowatts, which is
propelled by an electric motor powered by a rechargeable battery pack or other energy storage
device. ‘Other energy storage devices’ include capacitors and electromechanical flywheels that store
an electrical charge.
Where the engine capacity is expressed in hp (horsepower) a conversion of 0.746 hp = 1kw can be
used to determine engine size expressed in kw.
Motor vehicles exceeding 179kw or 240hp, do not qualify for Customs Duty/VAT/MVT exemptions
and those taxes become payable in whole without being pro-rated.
“Hybrid vehicle” means a vehicle, with an engine size not exceeding 1999cc, which is capable of
being propelled by a combination of an internal combustion engine and an on-board rechargeable
energy system or other energy storage device.
Hybrid vehicles must consist of both an Internal Combustion (IC) engine and an electric motor.
There is no restriction on the size of the electric motor but the IC engine cannot exceed 1999cc.
The phrase ‘propelled by a combination’ means that the electric motor and the IC engine work in
tandem in order for the vehicle to be propelled. Vehicles that do not satisfy this criterion lack the
essential characteristic of a ‘hybrid vehicle’ as defined by Section 45c (2) of the Customs Act Chap.
78:01.
‘On-Board Rechargeable Energy System’ refers to a system that stores energy for delivery of
electric energy and which is rechargeable. Energy sources may include a rechargeable storage
battery, fuel cell or photovoltaic array. Other energy storage devices include capacitors and
electromechanical flywheels that store an electrical charge.
See the table below for effective dates of implementation and expiration.
3. The First Schedule to the Customs Act Chap. 78:01 is amended in respect of sub-heading
8708.99.30 as follows:
i. Change in description of the sub-heading by inserting after the words “Compressed Natural
Gas (CNG) Systems” the following:
“and component parts, namely, CNG Injector, Air/Fuel Mixer, ECU of CNG Kit, Coalescing
Filter, CNG Refuelling Receptacle, High Pressure Piping (Stainless Steel) and CNG Cylinder
(Type 4)”; and
ii. Change in duty applicable by deleting the words “25%” and substituting the word “Free”.
Table of Implementation Dates for the measures stated above.
ITEM
DESCRIPTIION
MOTOR
VEHICLES TAX
(MVT)
VALUE ADDED
TAX (VAT)
CUSTOMS DUTY
New and used CNG
vehicles
January 1st, 2016 to
December 31st, 2020
July 20th, 2016 to
December 31st, 2020
Rates of duty applicable
as set out in 1st Schedule
to Chap.78:01
New and used electric
vehicles
July 20th, 2016 to
December 31st, 2020
July 20th, 2016 to
December 31st, 2020
July 20th, 2016 to
December 31st, 2020
New and used hybrid
vehicles
July 20th, 2016 to
December 31st, 2020
July 20th, 2016 to
December 31st, 2020
July 20th, 2016 to
December 31st, 2020
CNG Systems and
component parts
Not Applicable VAT Payable
12.5%
Free with effect from
July 20th, 2016.
An extract of Act No. 7 of 2016, Finance (No.2) Act, 2016, highlighting Parts IV 5(b), VIII 9(b) and
IX is attached for ease of reference.
In the instance where the question of a refund of Customs Duty arises based on the above mentioned
measures, Officers are advised that the normal criteria and application process apply in accordance
with Sections 9(1) and 55 of the Customs Act Chap. 78:01.
The Customs and Excise Division does not process applications for the refund of MVT or VAT.
Members of the public are advised that any queries with respect to the refund of MVT or VAT are to
be directed to the Ministry of Finance.
Importers are to be guided accordingly.
Comptroller of Customs and Excise (Ag.)
Dated: 18/08/2016

[nervewrecker]

this isnt the second time you making a thread like this?

[Skanky]

So how this working in trinidad? I know they charge u based on engine size for a normal car. Are electric cars exempt from this? Or how they calculating engine size? What can one expect in total fees for a 30k usd electric vehicle import?

Who you trying to fool.Everybody done see your size 11 car on yuh couch.

[K74T]

ROFL

[bluesclues]

Oh shims... 0 mvt and 0 vat?

Doh make smoke.

[X2]

Damn.... no supercars fit the bill.... over 240 hp....no exemption

[bluesclues]

Damn.... no supercars fit the bill.... over 240 hp....no exemption

Yeah heres to hoping tesla keeps that model 3 under 240. Like.. 239 lol

[redmanjp]

and prices of EVs would continue to drop as battery prices drop

[RBphoto]

Dealers not dropping no prices.

[Trinislacker]

MINISTRY OF FINANCE
CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DIVISION
Where the engine capacity is expressed in hp (horsepower) a conversion of 0.746 hp = 1kw can be
used to determine. ...

Dated: 18/08/2016

Isnt the hp conversion reversed

[jm3]

wow i really think im gonna buy a tesla model 3 then.

[A172]

So how this working in trinidad? I know they charge u based on engine size for a normal car. Are electric cars exempt from this? Or how they calculating engine size? What can one expect in total fees for a 30k usd electric vehicle import?

Who you trying to fool.Everybody done see your size 11 car on yuh couch.

hahahahahahahahahahaha

[hong kong phooey]

MINISTRY OF FINANCE
CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DIVISION
Where the engine capacity is expressed in hp (horsepower) a conversion of 0.746 hp = 1kw can be
used to determine. ...

Dated: 18/08/2016

Isnt the hp conversion reversed

yes you are correct
1 HP = 746W = .746 kw

[hong kong phooey]

.746 hp = .56 kw

[jm3]

Anyone have any info now on this, is there someone that can bring in a uk spec model 3?

[mad]

MINISTRY OF FINANCE
CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DIVISION
NOTICE TO IMPORTERS NO. 21 OF 2016
SUBJECT: AMENDMENTS MADE TO:
1) THE FOURTH SCHEDULE TO THE MOTOR
VEHICLES AND ROAD TRAFFIC ACT CHAP. 48:50;
2) THE VALUE ADDED TAX ACT CHAP. 75:06; AND
3) THE CUSTOMS ACT CHAP. 78:01

The attention of all importers is drawn to Parts IV 5(b), VIII 9(b) and IX of Act No. 7 of 2016,
Finance (No.2) Act, 2016 which:
1) Deletes and substitutes paragraphs 8, 8A, 8B, 9 and 10 of the Fourth Schedule to the Motor
Vehicles and Road Traffic Act Chap. 48:50;
2) Deletes and substitutes items 8 and 43 in Schedule 2 to the Value Added Tax Act Chap.
75:06; and
3) Inserts after Section 45A, paragraphs 45B and 45C of the Customs Act Chap. 78:01 and also
expands the description in respect of sub-heading “8708.99.30” of the said Act.
The effects of these amendments are:
1. Motor Vehicles Tax (MVT) and Value Added Tax (VAT) shall not be charged, levied, imposed
and collected in respect of:
New and used motor vehicles, imported for private or commercial use, which are
manufactured to use Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).
This provision applies only to OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) CNG vehicles and
should not be applied to retro–fitted vehicles.
Legal Notice No. 18 of 2016, circulated as Notice to Importers No. 5 of 2016, was replaced by the
relevant terms in Finance (No.2) Act, 2016.
See the table below for effective dates of implementation and expiration.
2. Motor Vehicles Tax (MVT), Value Added Tax (VAT) and Customs Duty shall not be charged,
levied, imposed and collected in respect of:
a) New and used electric vehicles imported for private or commercial use; and
b) New and used hybrid vehicles imported for private or commercial use.
Used electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles and vehicles manufactured to use Compressed Natural Gas,
stated above, must not be older than four years from the year of manufacture for this
exemption to apply.
“Electric vehicle” means a vehicle with an engine size not exceeding 179 kilowatts, which is
propelled by an electric motor powered by a rechargeable battery pack or other energy storage
device. ‘Other energy storage devices’ include capacitors and electromechanical flywheels that store
an electrical charge.
Where the engine capacity is expressed in hp (horsepower) a conversion of 0.746 hp = 1kw can be
used to determine engine size expressed in kw.
Motor vehicles exceeding 179kw or 240hp, do not qualify for Customs Duty/VAT/MVT exemptions
and those taxes become payable in whole without being pro-rated.
“Hybrid vehicle” means a vehicle, with an engine size not exceeding 1999cc, which is capable of
being propelled by a combination of an internal combustion engine and an on-board rechargeable
energy system or other energy storage device.
Hybrid vehicles must consist of both an Internal Combustion (IC) engine and an electric motor.
There is no restriction on the size of the electric motor but the IC engine cannot exceed 1999cc.
The phrase ‘propelled by a combination’ means that the electric motor and the IC engine work in
tandem in order for the vehicle to be propelled. Vehicles that do not satisfy this criterion lack the
essential characteristic of a ‘hybrid vehicle’ as defined by Section 45c (2) of the Customs Act Chap.
78:01.
‘On-Board Rechargeable Energy System’ refers to a system that stores energy for delivery of
electric energy and which is rechargeable. Energy sources may include a rechargeable storage
battery, fuel cell or photovoltaic array. Other energy storage devices include capacitors and
electromechanical flywheels that store an electrical charge.
See the table below for effective dates of implementation and expiration.
3. The First Schedule to the Customs Act Chap. 78:01 is amended in respect of sub-heading
8708.99.30 as follows:
i. Change in description of the sub-heading by inserting after the words “Compressed Natural
Gas (CNG) Systems” the following:
“and component parts, namely, CNG Injector, Air/Fuel Mixer, ECU of CNG Kit, Coalescing
Filter, CNG Refuelling Receptacle, High Pressure Piping (Stainless Steel) and CNG Cylinder
(Type 4)”; and
ii. Change in duty applicable by deleting the words “25%” and substituting the word “Free”.
Table of Implementation Dates for the measures stated above.
ITEM
DESCRIPTIION
MOTOR
VEHICLES TAX
(MVT)
VALUE ADDED
TAX (VAT)
CUSTOMS DUTY
New and used CNG
vehicles
January 1st, 2016 to
December 31st, 2020
July 20th, 2016 to
December 31st, 2020
Rates of duty applicable
as set out in 1st Schedule
to Chap.78:01
New and used electric
vehicles
July 20th, 2016 to
December 31st, 2020
July 20th, 2016 to
December 31st, 2020
July 20th, 2016 to
December 31st, 2020
New and used hybrid
vehicles
July 20th, 2016 to
December 31st, 2020
July 20th, 2016 to
December 31st, 2020
July 20th, 2016 to
December 31st, 2020
CNG Systems and
component parts
Not Applicable VAT Payable
12.5%
Free with effect from
July 20th, 2016.
An extract of Act No. 7 of 2016, Finance (No.2) Act, 2016, highlighting Parts IV 5(b), VIII 9(b) and
IX is attached for ease of reference.
In the instance where the question of a refund of Customs Duty arises based on the above mentioned
measures, Officers are advised that the normal criteria and application process apply in accordance
with Sections 9(1) and 55 of the Customs Act Chap. 78:01.
The Customs and Excise Division does not process applications for the refund of MVT or VAT.
Members of the public are advised that any queries with respect to the refund of MVT or VAT are to
be directed to the Ministry of Finance.
Importers are to be guided accordingly.
Comptroller of Customs and Excise (Ag.)
Dated: 18/08/2016

Good Info

[jm3]

thanks dude... so 179kw is the magic number

[jm3]

"Motor vehicles exceeding 179kw or 240hp, do not qualify for Customs Duty/VAT/MVT exemptions
and those taxes become payable in whole without being pro-rated."

how do they calculate the tax after that? do they mention somewhere else about equivalent displacement or something?
tesla model 3 rwd is 211kw apparently

[Xxpandakxx]

"Motor vehicles exceeding 179kw or 240hp, do not qualify for Customs Duty/VAT/MVT exemptions
and those taxes become payable in whole without being pro-rated."

how do they calculate the tax after that? do they mention somewhere else about equivalent displacement or something?
tesla model 3 rwd is 211kw apparently

Tesla model 3 standard range is 150kw

[jm3]

"Motor vehicles exceeding 179kw or 240hp, do not qualify for Customs Duty/VAT/MVT exemptions
and those taxes become payable in whole without being pro-rated."

how do they calculate the tax after that? do they mention somewhere else about equivalent displacement or something?
tesla model 3 rwd is 211kw apparently

Tesla model 3 standard range is 150kw

Oh nice ok now to find a broker.

[ShadowNos]

So the process, is to find your car from a reputable source and the broker does everything else? I was looking to bring in an ev also or maybe do a ev conversion

"Motor vehicles exceeding 179kw or 240hp, do not qualify for Customs Duty/VAT/MVT exemptions
and those taxes become payable in whole without being pro-rated."

how do they calculate the tax after that? do they mention somewhere else about equivalent displacement or something?
tesla model 3 rwd is 211kw apparently

Tesla model 3 standard range is 150kw

Oh nice ok now to find a broker.

[Ben_spanna]

There should not be any taxes on full electric ; our Minister clearly lacks any foresight and doesn't know anything about the future of travel and removing the dependency on fossil fuels...….. this is why Trinidad will remain a third world disadvantaged country.

[wing]

There will only be tax breaks when one of their friends decide to bring in electric vehicles just like the CNG situation.

[diamp]

"Motor vehicles exceeding 179kw or 240hp, do not qualify for Customs Duty/VAT/MVT exemptions
and those taxes become payable in whole without being pro-rated."

how do they calculate the tax after that? do they mention somewhere else about equivalent displacement or something?
tesla model 3 rwd is 211kw apparently

Tesla Model 3 standard range plus is 285hp so bad luck you have to pay full taxes

[diamp]

There should not be any taxes on full electric ; our Minister clearly lacks any foresight and doesn't know anything about the future of travel and removing the dependency on fossil fuels...….. this is why Trinidad will remain a third world disadvantaged country.

I agree totally

[jm3]

150kw is 204hp though