Thailand, Dubai, Singapore and England United Kingdom top car, pickup truck, SUV, vans, minibus, trucks, bus and machinery exporter to Mauritius 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 Mauritius and other 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.
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 Mauritius 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.
Mauritius
Mauritius is situated in the Indian Ocean, about 900 km (559 mi) E of Madagascar and 2,000 km (1,250 mi) off the nearest point of the African coast. The island of Rodrigues, an integral part of Mauritius, is located about 560 km (350 mi) off its northeastern coast. The two islands of Agalega lie 1,122 km (697 mi) to the north of Mauritius; also to the north is the St. Brandon Group (Cargados Carajos Shoals). Mauritius has a total area of about 2,040 sq km (7788 sq mi), of which the island of Mauritius occupies 1,860 sq km (720 sq mi); the island of Rodrigues, 110 sq km (42.5 sq mi); and the other offshore islands, 71 sq km (27 sq mi). Comparatively, the area occupied by Mauritius is slightly less than 10.5 times the size of Washington, DC. Mauritius extends 61 km (38 mi) N–S and 47 km (29 mi) E–W, and has a coastline of 177 km (110 mi). The nation also claims Diego Garcia, a British dependency about 1,900 km (1,200 mi) to the northeast, and a French possession, Tromelin Island, about 555 km (345 mi) to the northwest. The OAU has supported Mauritius’ claim to Diego Garcia.
The Island of Mauritius, volcanic in origin, lies in the southwest Indian Ocean just within the Tropic of Capricorn, 1,250 miles from the African coast and 500 miles east of Madagascar. It is about 40 miles long and 30 miles wide, with an area of 720 square miles.
Mauritius is a unique society. Unlike its neighbors, Mauritius is not African, although it lies close to Africa and seeks regional ties with that continent. Nor can it be considered truly Asian, although Indian influence in Mauritius is prominent. Despite more than 300 years of European colonial domination, Mauritius is not European. Portuguese navigators who first visited Mauritius in the 15th century found the island uninhabited. The ancestors of the present inhabitants were all immigrants and their descendants therefore, considered themselves to be Franco-, Indo-, Anglo-, Sino-Mauritian, or in the case of Africans, “Creoles.” Today, Mauritius remains a unique blend of these many cultures.
The official language of Mauritius is English, but French is more widely spoken. The lingua franca is Creole, a French patois. A speaking knowledge of French is a significant advantage. The island’s estimated population in 2000 was 1,186,059. With 581 persons per square kilometer, Mauritius is one of the world’s most densely populated countries.
The Mauritian economy is among the strongest in Africa, with a 2000 GDP of $4.5 billion and per capita income of $3,500. While it heavily relies on exports of sugar and textiles, services like tourism, freeport and offshore business, and financial services constitute other pillars of the economy. The Government is tracking information and communication technology as the next growth sector. Economic performance has been impressive for the past 15 years, with real growth averaging 7% from 1985–1990 and 5 percent in the 1990s. At its 1999 meeting, the World Economic Forum ranked Mauritius as the most competitive economy in Africa for the second consecutive year.
Mauritius Import Duty
Mauritius maintains a list of preferred trading partners to which it gives preferential tariff rates. Taxes on imports from the preferred list are levied at 0% to 80%. Imports of goods from other countries, at the 55% rate or higher, are subject to an additional 10% duty. A value-added tax (VAT) of 12% is levied on all imports. Vehicles, petroleum, alcohol, cigarettes, and furniture are subject to special excise duties of up to 360%.
Most imports require a license and state enterprises control the import of rice, wheat, flour, petroleum, cement, tea, tobacco, and sugar. There are few export controls, except the need for licenses to export sugar, tea, vegetables, fruits, meat, fish, textiles, pharmaceuticals, gold, live animals, coral, and shells.
Mauritius is a member of the South African Development Community (SADC), whose objective is creation of a free trade area by 2005. The country is also a member of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), which gives preferential rates of duty between member states.
Documents Required to clear vehicle
- Original Bill of Lading
- Import permit through “Ministry of Trade & Shipping”
- Original registration book
Duty rates on autos for a returning resident will be 15% on CIF value, plus 9.6% Sales Tax on CIF, plus duty. The value will be assessed by customs after the verification of the autos.
Mauritius Vehicle Information
Mauritius is a Right Hand Drive country and we are exporting Right Hand Drive new and used Toyota Hilux Vigo, Toyota Hilux Tiger, Mitsubishi L200 Triton, Nissan Navara and a host of other 4×4 pickups and SUVs to Mauritius. Mauritius only allows import of RHD vehicles. Diplomats are allowed to import LHD vehicle provided they ship them out after the end of their tour.
Roads in Mauritius are paved and generally well maintained. Driving is hazardous due to the recklessness of many drivers, and pedestrians, bicyclists, and animals along the sides of the narrow roads in rural areas. Some 20 miles of four-lane highway extends north and south from Port Louis. The highway to the airport was expanded in 2000.
Liability insurance is required by law. A discount is given with proof of a safe driving record. A local drivers license is issued to foreigners holding a valid Western country’s license; otherwise, they must pass the Mauritian test.
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