While a deputy minister of industries says the government’s latest auto import directive stands, the judiciary’s deputy for crime prevention claimed Monday that the government’s noncompliance with an order issued by the Court of Administrative Justice suspending the latest auto import rules is tantamount to breach of law.
As per the CAJ ruling issued some two weeks ago, import tariffs on vehicles should be rolled back to before the Dec. 30 amendment. The government had announced the long-awaited tariff rates for car imports in the closing days of 2017. The directive pushed up car tariffs to 65%.
The judiciary deputy chief, Mohammad Baqer Olfat, says “Flouting the court order is the equivalent of a crime that warrants prosecution,” reported IRNA.
Olfat says CAJ issued the verdict to help prevent the negative impact of the government directive on the domestic auto market and imports.
Mohsen Salehinia, deputy minister of industry said on Monday, “We have not received the notification. No change has been made to the government directive and the rule stands. If and when there is any change in the government position it will be made public.”
One of the main points of contention between the ministry and critics is the exorbitant import tariffs imposed on hybrid vehicles.
While most governments are offering incentives to promote the use of and cultivate interest in hybrids, the customs duty in Iran for hybrid gasoline-electric cars has increased significantly from 5% to 45-65% depending on vehicle gasoline engine capacity.
On plans to revise the tariffs for hybrids, Salehinia concurred that a new system has been proposed by the Economy Ministry but awaits approval by the Cabinet. He did not elaborate.
