Although the government of Jordan has taken steps in recent years to curtail the import of used vehicles, the market there is still strong, particularly when it comes to vehicles imported from the United States. This has much to do with the free-trade agreement that exists between the two countries. As well as the fact that Jordan’s auto market supplies many of the secondhand auto markets for its neighboring countries.
If you’re interested in importing used vehicles into Jordan, though, you have to understand what the restrictions are. In addition, you’ll also want to understand import duties and taxes assessed by Jordan on imported used vehicles.
Below, we’re going to review these things and more. We share everything you need to know about importing a used or salvage vehicle from the United States into Jordan.
Purchasing Used Vehicles at U.S. Online Car Auctions
In recent years, online used car auctions have become the preferred way to purchase used vehicles in the United States. The reason is simple. Online car auctions give average consumers as well as importer-exporters access to physically used car auctions around the country. They were only open to those with dealer licenses. Because of this, everyone can now get the kinds of deals that had previously only been available to used car dealers!
To get started, you merely need to set up an account with an online used car auction provider and make a deposit. This deposit is necessary to establish your bidding power, with the size of the deposit typically equaling 10% of your potential maximum bid. After you’ve done this, you can browse an extensive database of used car auctions, something that gives you an incredible variety from the comfort of your own home. An online car auction is the best way to find the right used vehicle. And at a price that can’t be matched anywhere else.
Shipping a Used or Salvage U.S. Car to Jordan
As Jordan enjoys a close political and trade relationship with the United States, you should not have much difficulty when it comes to locating a port that offers to ship to the country. The only potential difficulty you might have is choosing between a shipping method, either opting for traditional container shipping or something that’s known as RORO shipping.
RORO stands for “roll-on roll-off”, which describes how your used vehicle will be loaded onto and then off of the ship. Because this is much less labor-intensive than container shipping, the savings can be passed on to you. These savings are further compounded by the fact that Jordan is a country that calculates an imported used car’s value via CIF (the total of the vehicle’s value, shipping insurance, and freight charges). The only drawback is that you won’t have the protection of a container. Still, the risk of damage occurring during transit is relatively minimal.
When shipping a used U.S. vehicle to Jordan, you will only have one choice for your destination: The Port of Aqaba. It is the only port in the country, and it serves as a vital cog in the economy of the region overall. The port is overseen by the Aqaba Ports Corporation, whose official website you can visit right here.
Clearing Your Used Vehicle Shipped to Jordan Through U.S. Customs
In order to clear a used vehicle through U.S. customs you will need to gather the appropriate documentation first. Most importantly, you’ll want to make sure that you have the vehicle’s Original Certificate of Title. In addition to this, you will also need either a certified copy of the Original Certificate of Title or two complete copies of it.
Once you have the above, you will need to present your documents and vehicle to U.S. customs at your chosen port of departure. To find out where this is precisely, simply contact the Port Director.
After U.S. Customs has taken possession of your vehicle and documents, they will do two primary things. First, they will conduct a thorough inspection of the vehicle, ensuring that nothing has been illegally secreted away inside of it. Second, they will check over your documentation and ensure that the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a match with the vehicle provided.
If everything checks out (as it should), the vehicle will be cleared and loaded onto the ship. Should you have any additional questions about this process, please consult the official website for U.S. Customs and Border Security.
Import Restrictions for Used Vehicles Imported Into Jordan
The restrictions that Jordan places upon imported used cars can be somewhat complex and confusing. For this reason, you’ll want to ensure that you have a full understanding of these restrictions before seeking to import your used U.S. vehicle into Jordan.
The first and most import restriction to understand is this: any vehicle that’s imported into Jordan for personal use must be no more than five years old. The vehicle’s age is calculated not from the date of purchase, but instead from the model year. As you look for used U.S. vehicles to import into the country through online used car auctions, be sure to keep this in mind.
If, however, you are importing a used vehicle into the country as part of a business, there is no age restriction in place. However, in order to take advantage of this exemption, you must be in possession of an import license from the Jordanian government. To obtain such a license, you will need to contact Jordanian Customs. Their contact information is provided here.
Aside from the age restriction, there are two others that you should be aware of. Jordan expressly forbids diesel-fueled automobiles from being imported into the country. In addition, there are laws against tinted windows; a vehicle’s windows must be tinted by no more than 10%. Should your used vehicle have windows with a darker tint, please be sure to take care of this before shipping. You will be subject to fines and a delay in your customs clearance if this is not rectified beforehand.
Getting Your Used or Salvage Car Through Jordanian Customs
Provided that your used U.S. vehicle meets all the requirements outline above, then you should be able to clear your vehicle through Jordanian customs relatively easily. This is due in no small part to the fact that the United States and the country of Jordan currently enjoy a free-trade agreement with one another.
When presenting your used vehicle for clearance by Jordanian customs, you will be required to present the following documentation:
- The Original Certificate of Title and Copies
- The Original U.S. Vehicle Registration and Copies
- A Completed Customs Clearance Form
- A Customs Declaration Form
- The Original Bill of Landing
- Documentation Pertaining to the Vehicle’s Value
- Bills for Shipping- and Shipping-Insurance-Related Expenses
Should you have any additional questions about clearing your used U.S. vehicle through Jordanian customs, you can consult the country’s official customs department right here.
In addition to information, you’ll also find that Jordan provides an online portal through which many customs forms and documents can be submitted. Be sure to take advantage of this if you’re looking to save time in the customs clearance process.
Import Duties and Taxes for U.S. Vehicles Imported into Jordan
When it comes to calculating import duties and taxes for used vehicles imported from the United States into Jordan, there’s good news and bad news. The U.S.-Jordan Free Trade Agreement means that there are no import duties assessed on vehicles originating from the United States. However, used U.S. vehicles are still subject to Jordan’s relatively high import taxes for new and used automobiles.
Before calculating the taxes you will pay on your car, there are two things you’ll want to understand. First, Jordan uses the CIF value to calculate the taxes paid on imported used vehicles. CIF stands for “Cost, Insurance, Freight”, reflecting the total cost of the vehicle plus the cost of shipping and insuring the vehicle. Note, however, that Jordan only includes 1% of the shipping insurance paid in its CIF calculation. Second, Jordan uses a depreciation chart to calculate the current value of your vehicle:
- The Current Model Year: No Depreciation
- Current Model Year – 1: 85% of Value
- The Current Model Year – 2: 76.5% of Value
- Current Model Year – 3: 72.675% of Value
- The Current Model Year – 4: 70.49475% of Value
- Current Model Year – 5: 69.08% of Value
As mentioned, those importing a used vehicle for personal use must ensure that the vehicle is five-years old or younger.
If you’re importing a used vehicle as part of a business, you will have to get in touch with Jordanian customs to inquire about depreciation percentages for five years and beyond.
All vehicles imported into the country (new and used) are subject to a 16% sales tax. Only tractors are exempted from this sales tax. There is also an income tax assessed on used and new vehicles of 2%. Finally, there is also a special tax assessed on vehicles, which varies depending upon the type of vehicle in question:
- Passenger Vehicles: 56% Tax
- Pick-Up Trucks: 30% Tax
- S.-Manufactured Pick-Up Trucks*: 0%
- Vans: 30%
- Trucks Weighing Less than 4.5 Tons: 30%
- Trucks Weighing More than 4.5 Tons: 0%
- Farming Tractors: 0%
* In order to be eligible for the 0% tax on U.S.-manufactured pick-up trucks, the vehicle in question must have a certificate of origin that clearly states the pick-up truck was manufactured in the United States. Its rear bed must be 50% longer than the wheelbase, and it must have been shipped from a U.S. port.
Aside from the above taxes, you will also be required to pay inspection and clearance fees once your vehicle arrives in Jordan. However, these fees are relatively minimal and typically do not exceed $70.
If you’d like to take a closer look at Jordan’s schedule of import taxes for used vehicles, you can consult this chart provided by Jordan Customs. For broader questions, simply visit the official website for Jordan Customs here.
The Used Car Market in Jordan
The import market for new and used cars in Jordan is actually quite interesting. The majority of cars that are imported into Jordan every year are bound for other markets. In fact, of the 171,000 vehicles imported into Jordan in 2013, only 60,000 ultimately ended up on the Jordanian auto market. Of those, the vast majority were used vehicles, 43,000 of them to be exact. Overall, the United States owns a healthy 5% market share of the new and used car market.
In recent years, as elsewhere around the globe, hybrid vehicles have been enjoying increasingly robust sales. 60,000 aforementioned vehicles ended up on the Jordanian auto market in 2013. 14,000 of those were hybrid vehicles.
Those numbers have only continued to improve since then. There’s a tremendous opportunity for someone who can purchase hybrid vehicles through online car auctions in the United States. There are many such hybrid vehicles available stateside.
The ban on vehicles older than five years in 2013 had an adverse effect on the imported used car market in the country. Those with import licenses can get older vehicles into the Jordanian used car market. But it is increasingly difficult.
The free trade agreement between the United States and Jordan is still in place. The best prospect for importing older used vehicles is for those exporting from the U.S.
The Most Popular Used Vehicles in Jordan
Vehicles produced by Kia and Honda are among the most popular with Jordanians. However, the vice grip that these two automakers once had on the Jordanian car market has loosened in recent years. Opening up the possibility of other auto makers gaining a stronger position in the country.
In fact, Toyota has been gobbled up much of the market share left on the table by Kia and Honda. Seeing sales of its vehicles increase by nearly 15% in 2016 so far.
In fact, the Toyota Land Cruiser has quickly become one of the most popular vehicles with Jordanian auto buyers, gaining an 11.5% share of the auto market there overall.
Those looking to take advantage of favorable tax breaks for U.S.-manufactured pick-up trucks would do well to investigate their options with Ford and Chevrolet. Both of these American makes are among the top-10 most popular makes in the country overall.
If you’re looking for options in the regular passenger vehicle sector, the Ford Mondeo has gained some favorability with Jordanians and could be an excellent choice for importing into the country.
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