Okaz/Saudi Gazette JEDDAH/RIYADH – The cost of new car spare parts will rise by 30 percent because of the ban on the import of used vehicle parts, say dealers. The Saudi Customs Department's ban comes into effect at the start of the next Hijri year which is around the end of this month. Investors in the sector have called on the Ministry of Commerce to intensify its monitoring of prices. Osama Balkhi, a member of the auto maintenance committee at the Saudi Chamber of Commerce, said that the decision will serve the interests of large investors in the new auto spare parts market. “The import of used cars in the past weakened the sales of new auto spare parts,” he said. The scrap market, Balkhi said, will also benefit from this decision because it will be the only alternative for consumers. It will also boost the sales of new and original auto spare parts, he added. The ban by the Saudi Customs Department will also prevent the import of used cars which were involved in accidents. Cars with “salvage” printed on their registration certificates will also be forbidden. However, the ban will not affect the import of main parts such as transmissions and engines as long as “they are free from grease and oil and have certificates proving they have been reconditioned to conform with safety standards”. Abdullah Saleh Al-Kharboush, Director General of the Customs Department, insists that the decision was made to protect consumers from danger. In mid-June 2008, Customs and commercial authorities approved new regulations which determined the models of used vehicles to be imported. Motor cars, minivans and light motor vehicles which are not five years old and trucks not over 10 years old may be imported.
