Thailand, Dubai, Singapore and England United Kingdom top car, pickup truck, SUV, vans, minibus, trucks, bus and machinery exporter to Madagascar. Toyota top car exporter to Madagascar and other countries of Southern Africa

Jim is Thailand’s top car exporter, Dubai’s top car exporter, Singapore’s top car exporter and England United Kingdom’s top car exporter and 4×4 exporter, importer and dealer of New 2016 2017 and Used 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000 models of Toyota Hilux Vigo, Toyota Fortuner, Mitsubishi L200 Triton, Nissan Navara, Ford Ranger, Chevy Colorado, Isuzu Dmax, Isuzu MU-7 and other 4×4 pickups and SUVs to the RHD and LHD countries of the world. Jim is also Thailand’s top car exporter to Africa. We are exporting RHD vehicles to all countries of Southern and Eastern Africa and Left Hand Drive vehicles to LHD countries of Southern, Central and Western Africa.

Jim has dominated export of vehicles to Southern Africa including South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, Madagascar, Seychelles and Angola.

Since Madagascar is a Left Hand Drive country most of our exports are of Left hand Drive Toyota Landcruiser, Toyota Prado, Toyota Hilux, Toyota RAV-4, Toyota FJ Cruiser and hundreds of other LHD vehicles from 30 major brands from our Dubai office Jim Autos Dubai.

We also dominate exports to Eastern Africa. After banning of imported stolen vehicles, Jim has emerged as Thailand’s top car exporter and top 4×4 exporter to Uganda, Kenya and other East African countries as Tanzania and Malawi just as we were Thailand’s top car exporter and top 4×4 exporter to Southern African countries. Please note that right now while you can only import vehicles from between 2001 and 2008 as Kenya only allows importation of cars that are less than eight years old. Uganda used to have no such restrictions but this year (2008) Uganda will also have this eight year restriction. We are sending mostly used second-hand Toyota Hilux Tiger and nearly new and new Toyota Hilux Vigoto Uganda, Kenya and the rest of East Africa. Please see their Images (Pics) at http://www.thailand-dealer.com/pics.html.

The Southern African Customs Union (SACU) is the oldest Customs Union in the world.  SACU came into existence on 11 December 1979 with the signature of the Customs Union Agreement between South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland. It entered into force on the 1st of March 1970, thereby replacing the Customs Union Agreement of 1910. It was renegotiated in 1994.

SACU revenue constitutes a substantial share of the state revenue of the BLNS (Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho and Swaziland) countries.

Products imported into South Africa can therefore circulate freely within these 4 countries.

Eastern Africa includes Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Malawi, Zambia, Burundi, Rwanda, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia and Sudan. Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Malawi, and Zambia are Right Hand Drive countries while Burundi, Rwanda, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia and Sudan are Left Hand Drive countries. Malawi and Zambia are sometimes counted among Southern African countries as well and are a part of South African Regional organizations as well. We serve Tanzania from Dar-es-Salaam port and Kenya from Mombasa port. Ugandan Burundi and Rwandan buyers prefer Mombasa but can also route via Dar-es-Salaam. Malawians buyers have choice between Mombasa, Dar-es-Salaam and Durban.  All the other countries have their own ports but our shipment to Southern Sudan are often routed via Mombasa.

Southern African countries include Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Angola, Mozambique, Madagascar, Zimbabwe, Comoros, Mauritius, Seychelles, Mayotte, and Réunion. Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Mauritius, Seychelles are Right Hand Drive countries while Angola, Comoros, Mayotte, Madagascar, and Réunion are Left Hand Drive countries.

Please note that Jim is Thailand’s largest exporter to Africa. People may find it daunting to export to Angola but not with Jim. Email us now at [email protected] and discover the Jim difference. Jim is family-owned and family-operated since 1911 and is known for its superior integrity, great customer service, great prices, great selection, great quality and great speed of delivery.

The founder members of the East African Community Customs Union are Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. In December 2006, Burundi and Rwanda were admitted into the Union. Members of COMESA are Angola, Burundi, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sudan, Swaziland, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Finally, South African Development Community (SADC) is comprised of Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The majority of our exports to Southern Africa are going to Durban based dealers who buy it for their customers in different parts of South and East Africa.

Madagascar

Situated off the southeast coast of Africa, Madagascar is the fourth-largest island in the world, with an area of 587,040 sq km (226,657 sq mi), extending 1,601 km (995 mi) NNE–SSW and 579 km (360 mi) ESE–WNW. Comparatively, the area occupied by Madagascar is slightly less than twice the size of Arizona. It is separated from the coast of Africa by the Mozambique Channel, the least distance between the island and the coast being about 430 km (267 mi). The coastline of Madagascar is 4,828 km (3,000 mi). Madagascar claims a number of small islands in the Mozambique Channel—the Îles Glorieuses, Bassas da India, Juan de Nova, and Europa—covering about 28 sq km (11 sq mi), which are administered by France.

Madagascar, the world’s fourth-largest island after Greenland, New Guinea and Borneo, is situated in the Indian Ocean 250 miles off the southeast coast of Africa. Covering 226,658 square miles, it is 995 miles long and 360 miles across at its widest point. It is approximately twice the size of the State of Arizona. Madagascar extends from 8 to 26 degrees south latitude – equivalent to the range from Managua, Nicaragua to Miami, Florida in the Northern Hemisphere.

Madagascar is a fascinating island. The people, whose origins are a combination of Malay-Polynesian, African, and Middle Eastern, have developed their own culture and traditions reflecting that diversity as well as some unifying aspects, including a common Malagasy language.

Madagascar’s long history as an isolated area has contributed to the development of a Malagasy psychology. Although politically associated with the African states, Madagascar is not African; it is not Asian; and in spite of more than 60 years of French colonization, it is not European.

NOTE: The name of the country is the Republic of Madagascar. The word “Malagasy” is used as a noun only when referring to the people of Madagascar or the language they speak; e.g., the Malagasy speak Malagasy. All other uses of the word “Malagasy” are as adjectives; e.g., “The Malagasy people.”

Despite the existence of 18 major tribes, the Malagasy speak a single language – Malagasy – which is grammatically related to Indonesian and written in the Roman alphabet, using 21 letters.

Madagascar Import Duty

Customs duties continue to be an important source of revenue for Madagascar, as they are for many developing countries. The current tariff system, under a 2000 financial law, consists of four kinds of duties: an import tax (5% for crude materials, spare parts and inputs; 5-15% for capital goods; 25-30% for consumer goods; and up to 100% for some luxury items); custom fees of 0-25%; a consumption tax of 1–10%; and a value-added tax (VAT) of 20%.

Both specific and ad valorem duties are levied; but, as a member of the World Trade Organization, Angola is reviewing the need for reductions in tariffs and non-tariff barriers. Specific duties are assessed by weight. Additional taxes are levied on luxury items and preferential treatment is accorded to goods from Portugal, Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde, and São Tomé and Princípe. All imports require a license and are handled by one of several state companies. Most exports are similarly handled by state agencies. Every cargo destined for Angola must have an Import Licence and every Bill of Lading has to be accompanied by a Loading Certificate.

Pre-inspection is required on used vehicles.

Documents required:

• Form C38 (MV)
• Immigrants Declaration
• Passport
• Residence Permit
• Import License if ownership of vehicle prior to importation is less than six months

There are no restrictions but front seat safety belts are required by law. The duty on autos is 60%, the tax is 15%, and the surtax is 35%. Duty rates are subject to change at anytime without notice.

Angolan Customs Authorities take time to process documents. Use an official agent (customs broker) to minimize the clearing problems!

The bill of lading or airway bill, and packing list are required to clear all shipments,

To import a motor vehicle you need the following documentation:

• Bill of lading, consisting of 1 original and 3 copies,
• Packing list
• Invoices
• Copy of insurance documents and freight invoice,
• Certified copy of your passport

Madagascar is a member of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), whose free-trade zone has been in place since 2000 but whose project for a customs union has been deferred until December 2008. In 2005, Madagascar became a member of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), whose intention to establish a free-trade zone in 2008 was examined by WTO Members in 2007. Whilst awaiting the conclusion of an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) by the end of 2008, Madagascar signed an interim agreement with the EU in December 2007, covering free trade and other trade-related issues (including renewal of the sugar Protocol).

VAT (20 per cent in 2008) and, where applicable, excise duty, is also levied. Other import taxes imposed at the customs level were abolished in 2005. The waiver given to Madagascar by the WTO in order to maintain minimum values for customs valuation of used goods expired on 17 November 2003. Preshipment inspection has not been mandatory since April 2007. Nevertheless the use of GasyNet’s customs data treatment system is compulsory, at a cost of 0.5 per cent of the c.i.f. value of the goods. Computerization of trade-related customs operations has made considerable progress.

Madagascar Vehicle Information

Madagascar is a Left Hand Drive country and we are exporting Left Hand Drive new Toyota Hilux Vigo, Toyota Hilux Tiger, Mitsubishi L200 Triton, Nissan Navara and a host of other 4×4 pickups and SUVs to Zimbabwe via Durban port. Madagascar allows import of both RHD and LHD vehicles but it is safer to use LHD vehicles.

New or used cars purchased locally are quite expensive. Unleaded gasoline and diesel fuel are available. Higher-octane premium gasoline can sometimes be found. Petrol prices are quite high. A four-wheel drive is not essential, but may be useful during the rainy season and for trips outside of Antananarivo.

Repair facilities exist for all French makes, most Japanese makes (Toyota, Honda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Isuzu), Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, and BMW.  It is often difficult to source replacement parts locally for vehicles that have not been imported already by the dealer. Order extra tires, spark plugs, fan belts, oil filters, fuel and air filters, brake pads, oil, automatic transmission fluid, power steering fluid, brake fluid, and other most used parts and oil since these are either unavailable or quite expensive.

International driver’s licenses are recognized, but are only valid for one year and cannot be renewed for use in Madagascar. Most expats can get a Malagasy license, on a valid license from their country. Third-party auto insurance is obligatory and must be obtained from a company operating in Madagascar. It is not expensive.

Driving in and around Antananarivo is hazardous. Great caution is required to avoid accidents, especially involving pedestrians, small children, and livestock. There are no functioning traffic-control signals, and your expectations of the rules may not match local driving practices – be accommodating. Drive with caution as you circumnavigate potholes, hand-pulled carts (pousse-pousses), and pedestrians. Most city streets and several highways are paved, but are often narrow, in very poor condition, and heavily congested.

Many suburban streets and country roads are unpaved, deeply rutted, and rocky. The rainy season causes deep potholes and washouts on the roads, even in Tana. Thus, many foreigners and well to do islanders purchase four-wheel-drive vehicles; although not essential for driving to and from work, they are necessary for exploring some parts of the island. If you choose to bring an ordinary car, it should have high ground-clearance; also, consider installing heavy-duty shock absorbers and steel-belted radials on your car. Low-slung sporty models would ride too close to many of the local streets, inviting damage to the undercarriage, even in town.

 

Southern Africa

SACU (the Southern African Customs Union)

The Southern African Customs Union (SACU) is the oldest Customs Union in the world.  SACU came into existence on 11 December 1979 with the signature of the Customs Union Agreement between South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland. It entered into force on the 1st of March 1970, thereby replacing the Customs Union Agreement of 1910. It was renegotiated in 1994.

SACU revenue constitutes a substantial share of the state revenue of the BLNS (Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho and Swaziland) countries.

Products imported into South Africa can therefore circulate freely within these 4 countries.

 

Regional Agreements

The Common Market for East and Southern Africa

The Common Market for East and Southern Africa (COMESA) has been operating, in one form or another, since 1981.  COMESA aims to promote economic integration via the removal of barriers to trade and investment among COMESA member states. Moreover, COMESA aims to advocate for infrastructure development, and development in science and technology. Economic integration is envisaged to progress from the Free Trade Area (FTA) to an economic monetary union. The FTA became operational on 1st November 2000 with nine participating countries initially. The nine member countries that are implementing zero tariffs are Egypt, Sudan, Djibouti, Malawi, Madagascar, Mauritius, Zambia and Zimbabwe.  However in January 2004, Burundi and Rwanda joined the FTA, bringing the total number of participating countries to eleven.  

The COMESA FTA is an agreement among members not to apply customs duties or charges on goods traded amongst themselves.  The eligible goods for duty-free treatment must meet the agreed upon Rules of Origin.  Members also agree to eliminate all non-tariff barriers to trade between them.

A COMSEA Certificate of Origin is required for each consignment of goods and is obtained from the Revenue Authority in respective member countries. 

The Southern Africa Development Community

The Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) aims to promote regional integration and sustainable development in the regional community.

Members of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), comprising 14 countries, signed a Trade Protocol, which calls for the implementation of a Free Trade Area.  Each country has negotiated two reduced tariff schedules.  One schedule is applicable only for South Africa, and another schedule for all other SADC members. Zambia’s implementation of her offer, effective 30th April 2001, is provided to those countries that provide Zambia with the SADC reduced tariff schedule. 

The reduction of tariffs to South Africa provide for delayed liberalization, while the schedule to other members provide for broader and faster access to the South Africa market.  The tariff schedule applicable to SADC members, with the exception of South Africa, has three categories.  Category A products are those products which go to zero-duty immediately upon implementation.  The tariff for Category B products gradually goes down to zero-duty over a period of eight years, and the tariff of Category C products reaches zero-duty twelve years after implementation.  Category C products are known as sensitive products, and include for Zambia meat and dairy products, tea, some flours, raw sugar, cement, textiles and clothing, and motor vehicles.

Plans are currently underway to establish a Free Trade Agreement by 2008, and a SADC Customs Union by 2010.

A SADC Certificate of Origin is required for each consignment of goods and is obtained from the Revenue Authority. 

South Africa – RHD

South Africa is one of Bloomstar’s – and by extension Jim Autos ‘ – global hub. Our Gold Partners have dealership in Durban Port and after keeping the vehicles suitable for South African markets, they resell the rest to the customers who flock to Durban port from all parts of Africa. We are exporting a number of new and Jim Quality Toyota and Mitsubishi vehicles to South Africa, some for South African consumers while the vast number of vehicles are imported for the express purpose of re-export to other Southern African countries.

The main zones of economic concentration are located in the main South African conglomerations: Johannesburg / Pretoria, Cape Town and Durban.

The entire motor vehicle imports and exports (over 175,000 units in 2003/04) are handled through two major car terminals at Durban, East London with an additional number handled at Port Elizabeth. Durban Container Terminal (DCT) is South Africa’s largest and one of the busiest and best equipped in the southern Hemisphere. DCT serves as a pivotal hub for the entire southern Africa region, serving trade links to the Far East, Middle East, Australasia, South America, North America and Europe. The terminal also serves as a transshipment hub for East Africa and Warning: Since such regulations are subject to change without notice, Jim Autos Thailand, its sister companies or its parent company The Jim Group of Companies, cannot be held liable for any costs, damage, delays, or other detrimental events resulting from non-compliance