What does the General Department of Customs say about importing vehicles as gifts?

DNHN - The General Department of Customs has replied to reports that many firms get automobiles as gifts at the same address, or that following customs clearance, they do not return to the previously licensed address, but instead bring them to a store for sale.

Following the appearance of unique information on this problem, the General Department of Customs convened an information conference on the topic: "The management of the import of vehicles as presents" on the afternoon of May 25.

Circular No. 143/2015/TT-BTC dated September 11, 2015, stipulates customs procedures and management of cars and motorcycles of subjects permitted to import or temporarily import for non-commercial purposes as follows in Clause 3, Article 3: "If the subjects specified in Clause 4, Article 2 are imported in the form of gifts or gifts, each Vietnamese organization or individual may only import it for one (1) year." 1 automobile and 1 motorcycle were provided by international organizations and people.

However, several smart firms have "evaded" the aforementioned laws by "sneaking" in several expensive automobiles as gifts.

According to the reflection, these enterprises employ "tricks" to borrow addresses to set up "ghost" organizations, the impoverished use their names or "evade" the law by importing under the names of multiple businesses, although this is exceptional. These companies share the same location and a representative.

Responding to information at the same address that many businesses receive cars as gifts or cars after customs clearance do not return to the previously licensed address but bring them to a store for sale, the General Department of Customs stated: "The customs authority shall issue permits based on valid documents as prescribed in Circular No. 143 submitted by gift recipients, including business registration certificates."

"The fact that an address has several functioning businesses (given a business registration certificate) is consistent with business management regulations. If these are "ghost" addresses used to make fraudulent declarations, the customs authority will work with the appropriate authorities to investigate and treat them by legislation."

The General Department of Customs declared its position: If irregularities in the issuance of import licenses and carrying out customs procedures for automobiles imported as presents are discovered, they will be sternly dealt with, not covered.

Mr Au Anh Tuan, Director of the Customs Supervision and Administration Department (General Department of Customs), also confirmed that, after examining tax responsibilities, the number of imported automobiles has decreased. Imports as gifts do not result in a loss of state tax income.

Concerning the problems raised, the Deputy Prime Minister has just instructed in Document No. 3209/VPCP-KTTH dated May 24, 2022, to allocate the Ministries of Finance and Public Security based on their roles, tasks, and competency. Granted the power to assume primary responsibility for rapidly reviewing and verifying information and coordinating with appropriate authorities. If infractions are discovered, they will be dealt with vigorously by the law.

The Minister of Finance has also directed that the General Department of Customs inspect and examine the reported contents, strictly handle them by the provisions of law if any violations are detected and reported, and report the results to the Ministry of Finance by June 2, 2022.

PV