As previously mentioned, as a consumer I have a right to spend my money however I wish.
As long as the direct importer is only importing one car every few years what's wrong with that?
Government then has to find a way to make up for lost revenue as well.
I agree the internet is here to stay.
Maybe people with contracts with suppliers that restrict the places they can sell that product will change, but for right now, companies are given franchises for restricted areas and are forbidden to sell outside that range/country.
Will there be no franchises eventually? An interesting question with interesting outcomes for businesses and employees.

But John Doe there is no free market if one group of business people have to pay taxes, register as a business, collect VAT, sell their cars from premises and not government property and follow the price control guidelines for selling cars and another group doesn't.

Allow us to sell without all these constraints and then we have a free market. Until then, those people in the business of selling used cars from Japan need to comply with the law.

My pleasure and thank you too.
Not so much in your case but I just wish these discussions could centre more on facts than conjecture and name calling.

No I don't think you are daft. You are obviously bright, but most used car imports from Japan are valued at $1,000 or less are they not? No the $5,000 you indicated.
As I have stated over and over in this thread, people have every right to spend their money how they wish. However, If you are operating a used car business, i.e. selling Japanese used cars by the side of the road, you should have to meet the same legal requirements BMDA members do. If not, you are breaking the law, and if the law is reasonable it should be upheld. Shouldn't it? You seem to be pretending that the government is banning used car imports from Japan by individuals. Do you have some inside information that this is the case?

I understand that not everyone can afford a $46,000 car and buy used Japanese imports because they can afford them. That was only an example of the taxes paid. However, there are also new cars for much less than that as well. And clients get a warranty etc.

For example the car above brought almost $14,000 of duty.
15 used Japanese imports at $1,000 would pay $650 each for a total of $9,750.
So one new car pays more than 15 used cars.
Of course these are just back of the envelope numbers, so could vary, but I think you get the point.

Thank you Mr. Doe.
Are you sure every car imported into the country pays the correct duty/import taxes?
I was suggesting people importing cars for resale are acting outside the law. Not individuals importing for their own use. Sorry for the confusion.
Can right hand drive imports be sold in the USA? I would prefer to sell US spec'd cars but like hundreds of other countries around the world our laws do not require that.
I absolutely agree that not everyone can afford a new car and I have no issue with individuals spending their money how they wish.
My issue is with unlicensed used car businesses selling by the road side. Can we display our cars on the side of the highway with a cell to call to purchase?
I am not sure I agree that government revenue has increased as a result of imports of used cars from Japan at their low average invoice amount. That would be an interesting stat to confirm.

Actually I think the Government is looking out for their revenue.
I agree that people should be able to spend their money as they wish, but I do not agree that individuals should be able to operate a business in Japanese used cars and avoid the law, taxes and regulations like price control. Or I should be able to avoid the law as well. In other words the law should be equally applied.
It does no good for the auto industry to go out of business either losing hundreds of good jobs.
We attempted this business for a brief period and found all of the odometers were turned back by about 50% this was after telling them we did not want the mileage turned back. We were also asked if we wanted fictitious invoices which we of course declined.
I wonder how the government would react if we used the side of the highway to display our cars for sale? Would we be removed? Would we be checked for a business license? Would we be checked for VAT collection?
None of this is easy on any of us. Businesses or individuals.

As a member of The Bahamas Motor Dealers Association I am not aware of any relationship with Government that works to our advantage. They are in my view a detriment. In fact as a business we are very highly taxed and regulated.
My personal position is if people want to buy Japanese vehicles online it is there money.
I certainly oppose people operating a used car business without being subject to the same laws, taxes and regulations the BMDA members face.
Just as a matter of information, a new vehicle that lists at $46,982 the government receives approximately $17,488.75 in taxes ($13,797.20 duty, $3,104.65 VAT and $586.90 Business License Tax).
Maybe this is why the government would want people to buy new cars.
If someone is operating a used car/parts business they should comply with the same regulations and taxes the BMDA membership face. Unless the government is willing to allow us to operate outside the law.