Car registration fees are higher than imported cars!

A source in the Traffic Administration Authority indicated to “Nidaa Al Watan” that “fees increased according to the 2024 budget law and are $89,500 Lebanese pounds.” The citizens’ feeling that the fees are high is due to the dollar being calculated at the market price,” pointing out that “the budget law is clear and that is why “the citizens’ cry arose.” The irony is that the registration fees for foreign cars that paid customs fees of 1,500 to the dollar, for example, have lower registration fees than a used car in Lebanon, because We collect their fees according to the price of the dollar that customs was paid on them, and therefore you pay the registration fees on a dollar of 1,500 liras.”

The source concluded: “These large differences have prompted many car owners, who are surprised by the size of the fees, to stop registration transactions.”

In the same context, the head of the Used Car Importers Syndicate, Elie Qazi, presented to “Nidaa Al Watan” his approach regarding raising registration fees on cars. He said: “We must all accept the fait accompli, meaning that the price of the dollar in relation to the Lebanese pound was 1,500 pounds, and today it is 89,500 pounds.” Naturally, fees will increase. But our disagreement with officials in the Lebanese state is that before raising taxes and fees, they must work to increase the purchasing power of all citizens, whether in the public or private sector, and then taxes can be increased,” noting that “it is true that the private sector is trying to adapt to the repercussions of the crisis more quickly.” But taxes affect all categories of the Lebanese people who are on the verge of poverty and suffer from having their money withheld in banks, and even depositors who can withdraw their money do so on 15,000 and not on the dollar of 89,500 liras.

He added: “This increase in fees will affect transactions and treasury revenues in all sectors, especially since most of the Lebanese people have become poor,” explaining that “all Lebanese cars, if their owners want to sell them, will be registered again for $89,500, while cars are Foreign goods that were imported and are still with the showroom owners, their registration fees will vary according to the customs fees that were paid on them to bring them in. If it was at a price of 1,500 dollars for example, then the registration fees will be at 1,500 dollars, and if the customs fees were at 8,000 dollars, the registration will be according to the same price. Customs is 45,000 liras, so fees are 45,000 liras, and if customs is 89,500, then fees are the same price.”

Regarding cars sold in Lebanon, Qazi pointed out “a procedure adopted in all countries of the world, which is that selling cars within the country does not require paying the same registration fees every time the car is transferred from one owner to another, because these fees were paid the first time after It is entered by the first buyer, while the second buyer pays the fees for transferring the name, and this does not happen in Lebanon.” He suggested “adopting this mechanism because it is not possible to continue with patchwork solutions. Rather, plans must be drawn up by those in charge of the state to advance all sectors in the state.” Otherwise, we will face bankruptcy.”

He concluded: “Political stability must be ensured through the election of a President of the Republic, and the House of Representatives must be active through its legislation in getting out of the crisis, whether in the public or private sector. It is not possible to continue working as a piece-worker. Raising fees without stimulating the economy will push a large portion of taxpayers not to pay fees, and this will apply to our sector, as high fees will push customers to withdraw from purchasing.”