SAN DIEGO (Border Report) — About 500,000 tires are illegally exported across the border from San Diego every year, and it’s hurting hundreds of tire shops throughout the Tijuana region.
Antonio Ramos Vigil, president of the Tire Shop Association in Baja California, says they’ve been too slow to reach a solution.
“Unfortunately, the illegal importation of tires is getting the best of us,” he said.
He says many tires cross the border in trailers, but most are brought in by people in the trunk of their cars or inside their vehicles.
“The real problem that we have is these tires are allowed to cross through the ports of entry,” he said.
Ramos Vigil says this practice is also hurting the 70 legitimate importers of used and new tires.
“We need this issue to be resolved, so our businesses can continue to grow and prosper.”
According to Ramos Vigil, there are 1,000 tire shops in Tijuana, although some operate without a license and engage in the selling or repairing of contraband tires.
“These businesses also fail to deposit the old tires in a certified recycling center, they dump them in empty lots or canyons, which creates a negative impact on the environment.”
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