As everyone knows, the 2023 finance law allows Algerians to import used vehicles less than 3 years old. However, since the promulgation of the CFL, the regulatory text which determines the import procedure and sets its conditions still hasn’t been released…
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In this regard, sources familiar with the matter of importing cars less than three years old revealed to the Echorouk newspaper of new details regarding how these vehicles can enter. The latter should enter into force after the publication of the regulatory text currently being prepared and which will be published shortly.
Is it compulsory to import the vehicle from its country of origin?
Among the questions that many Algerians ask themselves, there is that relating to the origin of the vehicle; does it have to be imported from its country of manufacture or not?
It will not be required that the used vehicle (less than 3 years old) be imported from the country where it was built.
Our sources claim that there are no restrictions on the country from which one imports the car. This can come from Europe, Africa, Asia or elsewhere, provided it complies with the legal and regulatory requirements of the Algerian authorities.
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Concretely, Algerians will be able to import used cars from any country in the world, whether or not this is the country where the vehicle was built. For example, it will be possible to import a Mercedes or a Volkswagen less than three years old from France, Libya or Tunisia.
As to tariffsthey will have to rise, after the amendments which grant a 50% reduction to petrol vehicles with a cylinder capacity of less than 1800 cm3 and 88% to electric cars, — to 20% or 25% of the value of the car. The currency-dinar conversion will be at the official (bank) rate, not at the black market rate.
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For example, customs clearance costs for a used car purchased for €10,000 (almost 1,500,000 DA) will vary between 2,000 € (if 20%), i.e. nearly 300,000 DA and 2,500 € (if 25% ), or approximately 370,000 DA. Thus, this car, which cost 150 million cents to purchase, will cost the buyer 180 (or 187 million) cents.
How will the prices of imported cars be assessed?
With regard to the method by which customs officials go evaluate vehicle prices when they entered the port, the same source indicates that it is the site of TheArgus (largus.fr) which will serve as a reference.
the site largus.fr will be used as a reference to determine the price of the second-hand cars imported into Algeria.
The agent will first compare the price that appears on the car’s purchase invoice to the price displayed on largus.fr for an identical vehicle (year of production, number of kilometers travelled, engine type and power, etc.) . If he notices a significant difference between the two prices, the buyer will have to pay the difference. However, it will not suffer any penalty, as it is a purchase for personal and non-commercial use.
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The owner of the vehicle will have the choice between paying customs duties immediately at the port or at the border post; or drive the vehicle out and postpone the payment. Customs will set him a deadline which he may not exceed.
Moreover, when the car enters the port or the border post, the purchaser will present the gray cardthe sales agreementas well as a certificate of technical control recent that confirms that the vehicle is in good working order. This last document, which must be issued in the country where the car was purchased, will be presented for validation to an approved expert from the Ministry of Energy and Mines.
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The customs administration will then give the buyer a document called “yellow form” which he presents to the expert for get the new gray card.
