Vietnam to Increase Special Consumption Tax on Imported Cars

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HCMC – As Vietnam continues to attempt to build up its domestic auto industry, the Ministry of Finance has announced that it has drafted a plan to increase the special consumption tax (SCT) on imported cars by changing the basis on which the tax is calculated. The Vietnamese government has been concerned that the current method of SCT calculation has resulted in a competitive advantage for importers – the new method seeks to correct this imbalance.

The special consumption tax is a form of excise tax that applies to the production or importation of specific goods and to certain services; please see below for an in-depth explanation. The current SCT rates on automobiles with fewer than nine seats range from 45 percent to 60 percent, depending on engine capacity.

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As a result of the new method of calculation, there will be an average increase of five percent on imported car prices. This will mean that domestic sale fees will be added to the total value of cost, insurance, freight, and import tariff costs. Domestic sale fees cover the cost of services such as:

  • Advertising
  • Displays
  • Transportation
  • Warranties

The Finance Ministry has stated that it will provide a period within which stakeholders who are affected by the tax change will be able to give their opinions on the new method. The new SCT plan is scheduled to be submitted for approval next month and would go into effect January 1, 2016.

Related Link Icon-VBRELATED: Vietnam Auto Industry could have Fastest Growth in Southeast Asia, but Challenges Remain

Many companies are currently reconsidering their Vietnam business strategy in reaction to the ASEAN tax cut roadmap that Vietnam must follow. The ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement, which will be implemented in 2018, will allow cars to be imported duty-free from other ASEAN countries. This may result in Vietnam becoming increasingly dependent on foreign vehicles as import taxes levied on automobiles will sharply drop or be exempted following the roadmap of tariff reduction commitments resulting from the trade agreement.

Understanding Vietnam’s special consumption tax

According to SCT Law, SCT is levied on the production and importation of 11 categories of products and six types of services that are considered to be luxurious or non-essential. Generally, goods and services subject to SCT are also subject to VAT. The basis of VAT calculation is the selling price plus the SCT. For imported products, VAT is imposed on the dutiable value plus import duties plus SCT.

Below we provide the SCT rates for a range of commonly imported products:

  • Cigars and cigarettes: 65 percent
  • Alcohol and wine: 25-50 percent
  • Beer: 50 percent
  • Petrol: 10 percent

Also, certain services are subject to SCT, these include:

  • Casino and jackpot games: 30 percent
  • Massage and karaoke: 30 percent
  • Golf: 20 percent

Certain goods are exempt from SCT, these include:

  • Goods manufactured and directly exported or sold to authorized agents for export
  • Imported goods including:
    • Humanitarian aid and non-refundable aid goods
    • Goods temporarily imported for re-export, or temporarily exported for re-import during the tax-free period
  • Airplanes and yachts for sale and transport of passengers and goods
  • Goods imported to non-duty areas, domestic goods sold to non-duty areas (exclusive of automobiles with less than 24 seats)
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Tax refund

SCT is levied on each goods item only once. SCT refunds are available for exported goods upon request of the taxpayers in the following cases: goods temporarily imported for re-export, raw materials imported for manufacture, or processed goods for export.

In case items subject to SCT are produced from materials for which the SCT was already paid, the SCT already paid for the materials will be deducted when calculating SCT for their productions.


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