Why have imported cars arrived but not yet reached consumers?
There are some car companies that have cars arriving at ports in Vietnam, but these batches of cars have not been able to reach consumers, whether they are imported from Europe or from the ASEAN region, with preferential import tax rates.
Imported cars have arrived but cannot reach consumers yet
From the beginning of March until now, right after Honda brought the CR-V, Civic, Accrod, Jazz models to Vietnam, Volkswagen brought the Tiguan and Beetle models from India and Mexico, Mercedes-Benz brought the CLA 45 AMG 4Matic models, two upgraded versions of the large SUV model, the GLE 43 AMG 4Matic Coupé and the GLE 63 AMG S 4Matic... originating from Europe.
In Southeast Asia, Mitsubishi brought in the Triton Athlete pickup model...; GM Vietnam is also preparing to bring in the first shipment from Thailand (with Colorado and Trailblazer), Toyota brought in the Fortuner (and possibly Wigo) from Indonesia...
However, even though these car models have arrived at the port in Vietnam, they are currently only allowed to temporarily release goods from the port to be stored at businesses and cannot yet reach consumers.
A representative of an import company said that businesses are allowed to release goods from the port to avoid additional costs for storage at the port. The main reason why shipments cannot be cleared through customs and delivered to consumers is because the Ministry of Transport has not been able to complete the requirements of the Ministry of Transport on emission and safety testing standards as well as new requirements for type certification (tires/mirrors/lights/glass).
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| A batch of nearly 2,000 Honda cars has arrived in Vietnam but has not yet reached consumers. |
Will Decree 116 and Circular 03 be amended to "untangle"?
Decree 116/2017/ND-CP and Circular 03/2018/TT-BGTVT regulating new conditions for automobile imports have officially taken effect since March 1, 2018, but currently, management agencies are receiving many recommendations from businesses, including requests to temporarily suspend implementation to amend and supplement the provisions in these two decisions to remove obstacles for businesses.
The main issues currently proposed by automobile import businesses are related to the Certificate of Automobile Type Quality by foreign competent agencies and organizations, along with issues of inspection of imported automobiles in each batch, the requirement of having an 800m long test track, etc.
The Ministry of Transport said that currently, in implementing the requirements for business conditions, contained in Decree 116 and Circular 03, there are still many businesses facing many difficulties and obstacles. The Ministry still recommends that the Government consider amending some regulations in these two decisions to suit and support businesses in developing their business.
Specifically, the Ministry of Transport has proposed two options:
Option 1: Propose that the Government accept all recommendations from businesses and direct the Ministry of Industry and Trade to coordinate with ministries and businesses to amend the content of Decree 116.
Accordingly, the type certificate procedure is eliminated, the inspection method for each batch is revised, and the regulation on the 800m long test track is revised. At the same time, the Ministry of Transport is revising Circular 03 in the direction of eliminating some procedures on component certificates (tires/mirrors/lights/glass).
Option 2: In the immediate future, continue to implement Decree 116 and Circular 03 for a while longer. If there are any real problems or inadequacies as reflected by businesses, then make amendments and supplements.
It is worth noting that the Ministry of Transport also believes that the amendment needs to be carefully considered. For example, if Decree 116 is amended in the direction that imported vehicles will only be tested for safety and emissions for the first time, and then re-tested 6 months later, it will create loopholes for import businesses to circumvent the law, avoid inspection steps by authorities, leading to the quality of vehicles not being strictly controlled and consumer rights being affected.
At present, the Ministry has received a number of type approval certificates issued by the Thai government to Ford (with Ranger and Everest), Honda (CR-V, Jazz, Civic...), and by the German government to models (BMW, MINI...). Therefore, the Ministry of Transport believes that import enterprises have resolved problems and recommendations related to type approval certificates for cars when imported into Vietnam and currently have no problems.
Registration file for inspection of technical safety and environmental protection quality for imported cars (unused):
1- Registration form for inspection of technical safety and environmental protection quality of imported automobiles according to regulations.
2- Copy of the Certificate of imported automobile type issued by a competent foreign agency or organization.
3- Copy of Certificate of type of components of tires, rearview mirrors, front lights, and glass issued by a competent authority or organization.
4- Original copy of Factory Quality Inspection Certificate issued by foreign automobile manufacturing and assembly enterprise for each automobile.
5- A valid copy of the document on the assessment results of the quality assurance conditions of foreign automobile manufacturing and assembling enterprises for factories producing imported automobile models issued by a competent foreign agency or organization.
6- Copy of commercial invoice.
7- Copy of Vehicle Manufacturer's VIN Decoding (for initial certification type).
8- Original copy of imported motor vehicle information form according to prescribed form.
9- Copy of the vehicle manufacturer's specification and features brochure.
10- Copy of import goods declaration for paper documents; Date, month, year of the Declaration for electronic documents.
11- Copy of emission test report.
12- Copy of safety test report.
(Excerpt from Circular 03/2018/TT-BGTVT on Technical Safety and Environmental Protection Quality Inspection for imported automobiles subject to Decree 116/2017/ND-CP).
