Eighty five Makkah scrap shop owners have filed complaints with the Bureau of Grievances against the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and Saudi Customs. The complaints are in protest over the ban on importing auto spare parts. The law was imposed last year. Under the rule, no parts can be imported except for transmissions, chassis, differentials and engines which must be in good condition, grease-free and properly certified. The complainants insist the ban will destroy their businesses and deprive low-income people of their old cars which need spare parts. Scrap shop owner Khalid Al-Hazmi said: “Some shops are sustaining great losses because there aren't any orders for imported spare parts. “On top of this, limited-income people won't be able to buy new spare parts at car dealer shops because they can't afford them.” He said the decision will increase the cost of buying a scrap car and will only serve to benefit greedy car dealers. Scrap shop owner Maher Al-Saddi said the regulations are impossible to meet and that shops are being forced to let workers go as they can't afford to keep them on. “My business has been affected and I can't pay salaries of my three sons who work with me,” he said. Another scrap shop owner said the price of spare parts has jumped since the ban was imposed four months ago and that it is only benefitting foreign brokers. Abdullah Al-Mehmadi said: “Scrap shops import original spare parts much better than the fake ones sold at car shops. “Saudi Customs should've put an end to fake spare parts instead of hurting our businesses which depend on buying refurbished used spare parts.” He says unless the ban is revoked, the increasing prices will drive spare parts shops out of business. Under the ban, used cars can still be imported as long as they aren't older than five years. However these cars have to pass strict tests set by the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization. __
