United for efficiency: Mr. Richard Rowe, Director of the Western Region at the Consumer Affairs Commission (left); and Ms. Nickeisha Drummond, Training & Implementation Support Specialist at the Jamaica Customs Agency (second right - back row) joined members of The Trade Board Limited - Ms. Althea Matthews, Director, Licensing, Certification and Enforcement (second left), Dr. (Maj. Ret’d) Hugh Blake, Trade Administrator/CEO (centre - back row); Ms. Rushelle Whyte, Public Relations Officer (second right - front row); Ms. Christina DuHarris, Manager, Licensing (right - front row); and Mrs. Shari Ramsay-Patrick, Acting Customer Service Manager (right - back row), at the Best Practices for Motor Vehicle Importation Webinar, showcasing the all of government approach.
Kingston, Jamaica: The Trade Board Limited (TBL) recently hosted a highly impactful webinar titled "Best Practices for Motor Vehicle Importation" in collaboration with the Jamaica Customs Agency and the Consumer Affairs Commission. The online event attracted over (260) participants, including consumers, importers, customs brokers, and owners of used car dealerships, who gathered to gain critical insights into the intricacies of the motor vehicle import process.
The free online session, moderated by Ms. Rushelle Whyte, Public Relations Officer at The Trade Board Limited, attracted a diverse audience of prospective car importers, dealers, and industry professionals eager to deepen their understanding of the importation process.
Presenters included Ms. Christina DuHarris, Manager, Licensing and Ms. Althea Matthews, Director, Licensing, Certification, and Enforcement at The TBL who delivered in-depth presentations aimed at helping motor vehicle dealers and individual importers streamline their operations while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
Dr. (Maj. Ret’d) Hugh Blake, Trade Administrator and CEO of The TBL, highlighted the importance of the initiative in his opening remarks:
"This webinar underscores our commitment to fostering a culture of compliance and excellence in the motor vehicle industry. By ensuring adherence to best practices, we will enhance the overall quality of imports and strengthen consumer trust in the sector."
Ms. Althea Matthews reinforced that “used car dealers should upload the correct documentation and pay the requisite fee on the first attempt.” She also advised that “the motor vehicle dealership certification process is designed with the customer in focus through the provision of timely feedback, good customer service, accountability and evidence-based decision making.”
She emphasized that “the turn-around time for certification of a used car dealership by The TBL is four weeks. However, she cautioned that “customers have a responsibility to check the Jamaica Single Window for Trade (JSWIFT) Platform to see the outcome or status of the application.”
In describing unfit permit applications as a significant challenge, Ms. Christina DuHarris revealed that “25% of monthly permit applications are flagged due to incomplete or non-compliant submissions. This results in further delays in the processing of applications that are compliant with the policy and procedures, compromising the guaranteed service standard of three (3) business days.”
Thereafter, Ms. DuHarris shared smart strategies to improve the importation of motor vehicles. She advised the online audience to “avoid the pitfall of unfit applications, verify the commodity and permit requirements, assess the vehicle for inspection and obtain approval for the invoice/bill of sale.”
The webinar concluded with an interactive Q&A session, where attendees posed almost 50 questions to the presenters. Many participants expressed their appreciation for the practical insights and actionable advice provided, with several noting that the session had enhanced their understanding and preparedness for navigating the motor vehicle importation process.
For those who were unable to attend or are interested in staying informed about future webinars, The Trade Board Limited invites you to visit www.tradeboard.gov.jm for updates on upcoming events, educational resources, and trade facilitation tools designed to support a more efficient and compliant importation process. |
