The Ministry of Industry and Trade is seeking feedback on a draft decision by the Prime Minister regulating the import and temporary import of cars as gifts or transferred assets. The Ministry has proposed adding conditions for importing these types of vehicles.

Specifically, imported cars received as gifts or transferred assets must belong to a model, brand, or manufacturer that has been granted a car import license under Decree 116/2017. The import process must be handled by licensed businesses. Organizations and individuals wishing to import these vehicles must authorize licensed businesses to carry out the process.

These conditions will not apply to vehicles imported or temporarily imported for scientific research, product development, internal use within agencies or organizations, or as samples not intended for road use.

In reality, cars imported for non-commercial purposes are mainly in the form of gifts. However, according to Decree 116, the import of this type of vehicle does not apply to certain exceptions, including gifts. This loophole allows businesses that don't meet the decree's requirements to import regulated goods for commercial purposes.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, whether cars are imported or temporarily imported for commercial purposes or not, they still need to be warranted and maintained according to the manufacturer's standards at domestic facilities, meeting technical safety and environmental regulations. Therefore, measures are needed to restrict the import of used vehicles to ensure technical safety, environmental protection, and traffic safety.

The import licensing process helps customs authorities monitor and manage car imports by each business under the category of gifts.

Furthermore, the Ministry also believes that gifted vehicles and transferred assets need to be strictly managed, preventing organizations and individuals from exploiting work, study, or relocation to Vietnam to bring in assets for business purposes.

"Import management policies need to be consistent and comprehensive in terms of managing cars, regardless of whether they are imported commercially or not," the Ministry stated.

Additionally, the Ministry believes that having organizations and individuals import or temporarily import cars as gifts or transferred assets by authorizing licensed businesses will make the process faster and more transparent, as these businesses are already familiar with the procedures.

Phuong Dung