**Used Vehicle Dealers Request Extension for Import Decree at the Border**
Used car dealers are calling for an extension of the import decree at the border, citing approximately a thousand vehicles stranded in neighboring country parking lots unable to be imported. Previously, import taxes ranged from 5,000 to 10,000 pesos. This decree, expiring at the end of the former president’s administration, has allowed dealers to import vehicles with a significantly reduced tariff rate, thereby minimizing the impact on local new car dealerships by requiring only a 1% duty per vehicle.
Kathya Torres, from Grupo Logix, highlighted that without the renewal of this decree, importing vehicles could triple their tax burden. This situation has left dealers in a position where they could face import costs that exceed the vehicle’s value. Since 2011, the decree had been regularly renewed without issue until its recent expiration. Dealers now urge the federal government to issue a new decree through the Ministry of Economy.
Guillermo Rojas Gómez, treasurer of a specialized used car group, expressed the necessity for the government to address this issue promptly to avoid disruptions in the industry.
**Related News: BC Leads in Revenue but Lags in Infrastructure**
Baja California ranks third in revenue generated from regularizing so-called “chocolate” cars, yet it falls behind in roads and infrastructure improvements, ranking fourth in paving projects. While the decree’s extension until September 2026 offers some relief, there are concerns about the long-term impact on local infrastructure.
Amid increasing calls to streamline and update municipal processes in Tijuana, business groups like Canacope are set to partner with local governments to assess and simplify business credit applications. These collaborative efforts aim to boost business operations, including used car dealerships, thereby supporting local employment and economic growth.
In other city news, Tijuana’s government is planning regulatory overhauls to eliminate outdated procedures, with a specific focus on modernizing provisions that have been untouched since the 1960s. These changes are anticipated to facilitate smoother business operations across various sectors, including vehicle importation.
Stay tuned for more updates and insights on the evolving vehicle importation landscape and its impact on border economies and communities.