Uruguay to Raise Import Duty on Trucks

Office of the President in Uruguay released decree of adjusting import duty on trucks, to raise the import duty on trucks(including pickup trucks, light trucks and heavy trucks )from 7-8% to 23%. The import duty on saloon cars was unchanged, still 23%. In 2009, the total quantity of trucks and pickup trucks imported by Uruguay amounted to more than 8000 vehicles.

Some of the truck importers in Uruguay reflected that, the interpretation for this adjustment given by the government is to protect domestic truck production sectors and employments. The importers said that Chinese products accounted for a large proportion in Uruguay's imports. So, this adjustment made a certain influence on Chinese products. According to the Tariff Regulation in Mercosur, the tariff on automobiles within quota imported by countries within the district was zero. Thus, to raise truck tariffs will benefit Brazil and Argentina, and the competitive ability of relevant products will be enhanced.