Probe of auto imports launched in Vietnam

The Vietnam General Customs Department has ordered its investigation arm to launch a nationwide inspection on the import of automobiles, local news website VnExpress reported Saturday.

The customs department said it suspected some companies were misusing government’s preferential tax policies to evade tax.

“We find some cases suspicious and we have asked the Investigation Department to check,” said Nguyen Van Can, deputy head of the department. “Customs departments in cities and provinces will join the investigation and check imported automobiles in their area,” he said.

Can told VnExpress that all imported automobile models will be inspected.

The decision to investigate came after customs officials in the northern province of Hai Phong said they suspected an official Ford Vietnam dealer of evading taxes amounting to VND61.5 billion (US$3.2 million) by declaring a bulletproof armored SUV model, Hummer H2, as a tank, to claim tax exemption.

The case is being investigated further by the Vietnam General Department Customs.