Joint Circular No. 27/2001/TTLT/BTM-TCHQ of the Ministry of Trade and General Department of Customs No. 27/2001/TTLT-BTM-TCHQ dated December 6, 2001 guiding the importation of automobiles for certain subjects through non-commercial channels.

JOINT CIRCULAR

Guidelines for the importation of automobiles by certain subjects through non-tariff channels

Pursuant to Document No. 408/CP-KTTH dated May 15, 2001, of the Prime Minister on the importation of automobiles by certain subjects through non-tariff channels;

After reaching a consensus with the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Trade, and the General Department of Customs, the following guidelines are issued for the implementation of automobile imports by certain subjects through non-tariff channels:

I. SUBJECTS ELIGIBLE FOR IMPORTATION

1. Overseas Vietnamese who are permitted to return home.

2. Vietnamese citizens dispatched abroad by state agencies (including: the National Assembly, the Government, the Supreme People's Procuracy, the Supreme People's Court, Ministries, agencies at ministerial level, provincial People's Committees) for work, employment, or as experts for a period of three years or more (excluding research students, interns, exchange students, and laborers).

II. REGULATIONS ON THE IMPORTATION OF AUTOMOBILES

1. The subjects mentioned in Section I of this Circular, upon completion of their term of service abroad and returning to the country or returning home, may import one personal automobile that they have been using abroad.

2. When processing the import procedures for automobiles, the subjects mentioned in Section I of this Circular must submit to the customs authority a set of documents including:

- A request for importation, confirmed by the local government regarding the place of residence (for the subject mentioned in Point 1 of Section I) and a confirmation of the end of the term of service from the dispatching agency (for the subject mentioned in Point 2 of Section I).

- Decision of the state agency dispatching for work or as an expert abroad or the decision of the Ministry of Public Security of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam allowing overseas Vietnamese to return to settle in Vietnam (certified true copy).

- Passport (original for verification, accompanied by a certified copy).

- Vehicle registration certificate issued by the competent authority of the host country, valid for at least six months prior to the date of return (certified true copy accompanied by a certified Vietnamese translation).

- Driver's license (certified true copy accompanied by a certified Vietnamese translation).

- Bill of lading (three copies - or one original copy and two certified copies).

3. Imported automobiles must have left-hand drive (right-hand steering), produced within a maximum period of five years from the date of importation, and must be gasoline-powered vehicles without leaded fuel.

4. The subjects mentioned in Section I of this Circular must arrange for shipment back to the country before departure, from the country where the owner resides or works, and fulfill all tax obligations under current laws when importing automobiles.

III. IMPLEMENTATION PROVISIONS

1. Imported automobiles that do not comply with the regulations stipulated in Section II of this Circular will be subject to administrative penalties and confiscation.

2. This document shall take effect fifteen days from the date of signature./.