The Customs and Excise Department of St. Vincent and the Grenadines has issued a strict public ultimatum to vehicle importers and consignees, announcing that a sizable fleet of un-cleared automobiles currently held at the port of Kingstown will be sold at public auction.
According to official departmental notices published in Government Gazette No. 51, dated Tuesday, November 3, 2026, the statutory sale is scheduled to take place on Saturday, November 21, 2026, at the Transit Shed in Kingstown, targeting all listed vehicles that have remained in customs custody for more than two months without clearance.
The upcoming auction is being executed under the statutory authority of Section 58, subsection 8 of the Customs Control and Management Act (Act 14 of 1999, Chapter 422 of the Revised Laws of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines). Under the published legal provisions, affected owners are granted a final grace period of one month from the first publication of the notice to settle outstanding import duties, storage fees, and administrative charges. Failure to fully clear the shipments within this mandatory statutory window will result in the immediate forfeiture of the vehicles to the state for competitive bidding.
The published customs list reveals a diverse inventory of abandoned imports ranging from commercial transport vehicles to luxury sedans and electric automobiles, representing significant uncollected import revenue. Among the oldest un-cleared shipments listed is a 2011 maroon Mazda Demio imported by Mark James aboard the vessel Hoegh Caribia, which has remained warehoused at the port since May 20, 2022.
Similarly, a 2013 white Smart Electric Drive car consigned to Stewart Grant via the vessel Luzon Strait has been stored at the facility since March 15, 2023. Other long-standing un-cleared private vehicles include a 2016 black Toyota Vitz imported by Aneka Neptune aboard the Splendid Ace, warehoused since December 2024, and a 2015 Kia Carnival consigned to Mauvin Hutchinson, warehoused since March 2025.
The government inventory highlights both private vehicle owners and corporate entities facing potential financial losses due to asset forfeiture. Local commercial importer Paradise Foods SVG has three distinct vehicles listed for auction, including a 2020 Nissan Caravan van, a 2018 Isuzu Elf truck, and a second 2018 Nissan Caravan van, all reported in late December 2025 and warehoused in January 2026.
Additional commercial and heavy transport vehicles subject to sale include a 2015 Hino Dutro truck imported by Marcus McCoy and a 2024 Suzuki Carry truck consigned to Jerry Clarke. High-end private vehicles slated for the auction block include a 2015 white Mercedes Benz imported by Isabella Hazel Eldering aboard the vessel Janina and a 2015 BMW 2-series consigned to David Chase.
The public notice also encompasses a wide array of popular sport utility vehicles, compact cars, and sedans consigned to individual Vincentian residents. These include a 2017 Suzuki Jimny listed for Geir Atle Anderson, a 2016 Suzuki Vitara consigned to Cyprian Mitchell, a 2018 Suzuki SX4 imported by Joseph Mari Gaymes, a 2017 Nissan X-Trail consigned to Dale Samuel, a 2016 Kia Fortes imported by Marvelene Richards, a 2017 Suzuki Hustler consigned to Solomon Bynoe, a 2024 Suzuki MR Wagon imported by Kezran Walters, and a 2018 Toyota Vitz listed for Mordel Cato.
Customs officials emphasize that all sales on November 21 will proceed strictly in accordance with statutory auction regulations unless consignees take immediate action to clear their goods at the Kingstown port terminal.
