One of three smuggled cars is seized by Hai Phong Customs.

Regarding the smuggling of three cars less than 9 seats seized by the Customs, including two unused cars, so what are conditions for doing business of car import?

According to the Government Decree 116/2017/ND-CP dated October 17, 2017, regulating conditions for production, assembly, import and business of automobile warranty and maintenance services, specifically, Chapter II of Decree 116 stipulates the conditions for doing business of car import as follows:

Article 14 of Decree 116 provides that only enterprise shall be considered for granting of Car Import Business license.

Enterprise will be licensed to do business of car import after satisfying the conditions and will be granted a Car Import Business license under regulations of the Decree.

Auto importers must comply with regulations on car import management under the Decree and relevant legal documents.

Article 15 provides conditions for doing business of car import that the enterprise which is established under the provisions of law will be licensed to do business of car import if satisfying the conditions, including having facility for car maintenance and warranty, which is owned by the enterprise, or contracted by the enterprise or belonging to the authorized dealer system of the enterprise as per provisions in Decree No. 116/2017 /ND-CP.

The enterprise must have a written certification or document proving that the enterprise has right to represent the foreign car manufacturing and assembling enterprise to issue a recall for imported car in Vietnam.

Decree 116 regulates the issuance of Car Import Business license; Renewal of Car Import Business license; Reissue of Car import business license; Temporarily suspend and revoke the Car Import Business License; Responsibilities of businesses granted car import business license...

Additionally, when importing cars to Vietnam, enterprises are required to comply with quality inspection regulations with the Registration Authority, and only those that meet the requirements are allowed for customs clearance.

Regarding the import of cars for non-commercial purposes, the Ministry of Finance issued Circular 143/2015/TT-BTC, dated September 11, 2015, regulating customs procedures and management of cars and motorbikes of subjects permitted to import and temporarily import for non-commercial purposes.

On July 27, 2022, the Ministry of Finance issued Circular 45/2022/TT-BTC, amending and supplementing a number of articles in Circular 143/2015/TT-BTC.