Importing used cars older than 5 years is prohibited.

Used cars of all types may only be imported if the time elapsed since their manufacture does not exceed 5 years, calculated from the year of manufacture to the year of import.

This is the content stipulated in Circular No. 04/2014/TT-BCT, which details the implementation of several articles of Decree No. 187/2013/ND-CP detailing the implementation of the Commercial Law regarding international trade in goods and agency activities for buying, selling, processing, and transiting goods with foreign countries.

Specifically, imported used automobiles of all types (including passenger cars, cargo vehicles, vehicles that carry both passengers and cargo, and specialized vehicles) must meet the following condition: the vehicle must not be more than 5 years old, calculated from the year of manufacture to the year of import (for example, in 2014, only vehicles manufactured from 2009 onwards could be imported). Other related regulations will be implemented according to the guidance of the relevant ministries.

Specifically, the import of passenger cars with fewer than 16 seats is governed by Joint Circular No. 03/2006/TTLT-BTM-BGTVT-BTC-BCA of the Ministries of Trade, Transport, Finance, and Public Security, and Circular No. 19/2009/TT-BCT of the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Dismantling automobiles during transportation and import is prohibited.

The circular also stipulates that the import of right-hand drive (left-hand drive) vehicles is prohibited, including those in disassembled form and those that have been converted to right-hand drive before import into Vietnam, except for specialized right-hand drive vehicles operating within a limited area, including: cranes; ditch digging machines; street sweeping and watering vehicles; garbage and household waste collection vehicles; road construction vehicles; passenger vehicles in airports and forklifts in warehouses and ports; concrete pump trucks; and vehicles that only operate within golf courses and parks.

In addition, the import of all types of automobiles and automobile assembly components that have had their structure altered, their function changed from the original design, or whose chassis or engine numbers have been tampered with or re-stamped is prohibited in all cases and under all circumstances. Dismantling automobiles during transportation and import is prohibited. The import of used ambulances is also prohibited.

This Circular takes effect from February 20, 2014.

According to chinhphu.vn