Import of Japanese cars under scrutiny

According to a communiqué issued by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce on Tuesday, the Consumer Protection (Control of Imports) Regulations 1999 were amended on May 23.

From now on, for any imports from Japan, an original Certificate of Conformity issued by Bureau Veritas (Japan) has to be submitted on the arrival of the second-hand motor vehicle.

And if there is no Certificate of Conformity, a fee of Rs 100,000 is payable before getting customs clearance.

The communiqué also states that a bank guarantee of Rs 100,000 per vehicle has to be submitted in favour of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce on application of import permit by both individual importers and second-hand motor vehicle dealers. There is also a complete ban on imports of second-hand spare parts and accessories from Japan.

If on verification by the Radiation Protection Authority, a vehicle is found to not be free of removable radioactive surface contamination, the individual importer and second-hand motor vehicle dealer will have to return the vehicle at their own expense within two months otherwise the importer will be liable to a fine not exceeding Rs 100,000, imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years.