Ministry revises circular to simplify auto imports
Hanoi (VNA) - The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) has decided to abolish a number of procedures for importers of cars with nine seats or less.
The processes listed in the ministry’s Circular No 20/2011/TT-BTC, which took
effect on June 26, 2011, are believed to have discouraged many car importers.
Under the MoIT’s revised circular issued on March 9, auto importers will be
allowed to import cars with nine seats or less without having to authorise car
manufacturers or dealers as their distributors in Vietnam.
Importers will also not have to obtain certificates from the transport ministry
proving that they are adequately qualified to do car guarantees and
maintenance.
The revision is seen as a positive move by the MoIT as the old regulations were
said to give preferential treatment to large-scale companies.
Earlier, when Circular No 20 was in effect, there were disagreements about its
efficacy between the MoIT and other ministries and sectors, including the
Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers
Association and Vietnam Association of Mechanical Industry.
Many experts argued that the circular was leading to business inequality, which
is against the country’s larger efforts to create a better business
environment. However, the MoIT had said that the circular was aimed at dealing
with global carmakers who were frequently recalling vehicles because of
manufacturing defects from around the world, but not from Vietnam.
The circular also forced domestic distributors and representative car
manufacturers to take responsibility for imported vehicles, the MoIT said. This
was necessary to protect consumer interest and ensure road safety.-VNA