A used automobile can be imported into Vietnam, though import duties are high and the procedure is a complicated one. The present owner of the vehicle must be the original owner; if the automobile has changed ownership since the original title was issued, the vehicle cannot be imported into Vietnam. The vehicle must have been legally registered in the owner’s home country for at least six months, have a minimum mileage of 10,000 Km and cannot be more than five years old. Although driving is on the right side of the road, vehicles equipped with the steering wheel on the right or left side may be imported into the country.
It is also possible to import a motorcycle into Vietnam if the engine size is 175 cc or greater. The procedures are the same as for importing an automobile. Import duties on motorcycles can easily be more than 100 percent of the value of the motorcycle.
Vehicles may enter the country through one of four ports: Cai Lan in Ha Long City, Hai Phong, Danang and Ho Chi Minh City. Vietnam Customs is in charge of the importation of any vehicle into Vietnam. The necessary application forms (as detailed below) can be downloaded from their website.
To import a vehicle into the country, the following documents will need to be supplied to Vietnam Customs:
An application form for importing an automobile into Vietnam (don de nghi nhap khau o to)
An automobile import licence (giay phep nhap khau)
A bill of lading (van tai don)
A customs declaration for export/import (to khai hai quan xuat/nhap khau)
A vehicle registration certificate (giay dang ky xe nuoc ngoai)
In addition, the owner of the vehicle will need to present the customs officer with:
A valid passport
A visa that is valid for at least three months
A valid work permit
A household registration book
Note: The household registration book must be issued by the Ministry of Public Security of Vietnam.
The Ministry of Public Security of Vietnam
At: 44 Yet Kieu, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
Tel: (04) 06943647 / (04) 06941165
Once the vehicle arrives in Vietnam, it will need to be inspected by Vietnam Customs. A customs officer will check the automobile import licence, bill of lading, customs declaration for import/export, and conduct a physical inspection of the vehicle. The owner of the vehicle may request to see the vehicle before presenting it for inspection, but this process must be overseen by a customs officer. Import duties will need to be paid to Vietnam Customs before the vehicle can be released. Automobiles are assessed a Special Sales Tax of 50 percent or more on the value of the vehicle, unless the importer is of diplomatic status, in which case, the Special Sales Tax is waived.