Vehicle import regulations of Seychelles

Steering handle: RHD 

Main port: Port Victoria 

Changes in Policy for Importation of Used Vehicles By Returning Residents/Graduates

The Ministry of Finance, Trade and Investment (MFTI) in collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs and Transport has recently revised the policy on importation of used vehicle by returning residents/graduates taking effect 10 September 2012. 

Previous Policy	Revised Policy
The vehicle must not be older than 5 years	The vehicle must not be older than 3 years
The vehicle must be registered on your name for a minimum period of 12months before importation.	No longer applicable. There is no specific duration for the time of ownership of the used vehicle before importation.
Returning resident who have in their possession a vehicle older than 5years but which has been registered in their name for a minimum of 12months will be permitted to replace the vehicle with a secondhand vehicle of not less than 5 years of age.	No longer applicable.

 Used Vehicle qualify for an import permit

Only returning residents or graduates (of 18 years and above) can import used vehicle. It is important to note however that a returning resident or graduate is allowed to import a used vehicle only once. If he/she decides to move overseas again or goes for another course/training he/she will not be allowed to import another second hand motor vehicle or motor cycle. 

Who is considered as being a returning resident/graduate

A returning resident is a Seychelles citizen who has been absent from Seychelles for a continuous period of not less than 2 years and is returning to Seychelles to take up permanent residence. A returning graduate is a citizen of Seychelles who has been studying abroad at an educational institution recognized by the Ministry responsible for Education, for a minimum period of not less than 9 months.
The returning resident/graduate must ensure that the importation of the used vehicle arrived in the country not more than 6 months after the first day of the returning resident/ graduate arrival. 

Allowed type of used vehicles for importation

The imported motor vehicle (including a motorcycle) must be for passenger use only and must falls under the HS code 8703 or HS code 8711. The vehicle must not be older than 3 years old by the time it lands in Seychelles and must be a right hand drive. 

Required Documents

The documents needed for clearance of used vehicle are: 

a) Bill of entry (in duplicate)
b) Invoice/Receipts
c) Bill of Lading/Airway Bill
d) Packing List/ List of goods in cargo
e) Copy of passport of most recent entry in Seychelles
f) Copy of passport of exit of 12 months or more from Seychelles
g) Import permit 
h) Letter from the organization to certify that the student/graduate was sent for studies or in cases whereby the student/graduate went to study at their own expenses, they must provide document(s) proving their attended institution of study. (if applicable)
i) Prove of ownership of the vehicle.
j) Copy of driving license 

For more information go to http://www.src.gov.sc/