Ban on right-hand drive cars stays–BoC

By William B. Depasupil, Reporter

CUSTOMS Commissioner Alberto Lina on Wednesday stood firm on his decision to ban the importation of right-hand drive vehicles amid pressure from importers to rescind the order.

Lina said the full force of the law will “meet” importers and brokers trying to sneak said vehicles into the country. The vehicles have been blamed for many accidents.

“My paramount concern as customs chief includes the lives and safety of motorists and not only raising revenues,” he said.

Lina earlier banned the importation of all types of right-hand drive vehicles and raised the fine on violators.

The maximum fine on importers and brokers who violate the ban was raised from P10,000 to P50,000. They also face a jail sentence of up to a year.

Lina said the ban is part of the customs bureau’s efforts to check the smuggling of luxury cars.

He acknowledged that importing right-hand drive vehicles is cheaper compared to the widely used left-hand drive cars.

Importers usually misdeclare luxury cars as right-hand drive vehicles to avoid paying steep duties and taxes.

A report from the Land Transportation Office said 3 out of ten car accidents in the past five years involved right-hand drive vehicles.

Besides imposing harsher penalties, the customs bureau has required importers to secure letters of credit from accredited banks before their shipments are released.

“This will give us ample information to determine if an importer is legitimate or fictitious,” Lina explained.