Imports of cars with less than 9 seats continue to rise
![]() |
According to the latest information from the General Department of Customs,from the beginning of this year to September 15th, Vietnam imported 72,528 automobiles of all kinds, with a total turnover close to $US 1.66 billion.
Thus, compared to the same period of 2015, both the volume of all cars and the value of imports fell sharply.Specifically, the volume decreased 6,323 cars, equivalent to 8.7%, while the turnover also fell sharply by nearly 20.5% (equivalent to about$US 340 million).
But it is worth noting that, the two main types of imported vehicles, which are cars with less than 9 seatsand trucks, increased in volume compared to the same period of 2015. In particular, cars with less than 9 seatsincreased in both volume and value, which trucks increasing in volume but decreasing in value.
Specifically, up to September 15th, Vietnam imported 30,136 cars with less than 9 seats, which is 1,440 vehicles more compared to the same period in 2015, equivalent to 5%, while the value reached $US484 million, up $US 152 million, equivalent to nearly 48%.
Thus, in terms of the average value, cars with less than 9 seatsimport price this year is $US 16,000/unit, while in the same period in 2015, it was only $US 11,570/unit.
However, the trend of imported cars with less than 9 seatsin recent months are turning to small cars with a capacity of 1.5L or less.
According to a recent thematic report from the General Department of Customs, the volume of imported cars in July 2016 (the start of a special consumption tax calculated under the new rules)was10,800 units, an increase of 25.1%, but the value was only $US 208 million, 16% less than the value of the previous 6 months.
According to the explanation of the General Department of Customs,the cause of the increase in volume, but a decrease in value is that in the first 6 months of the year, enterprises focused on importing vehicles with large capacity and high value (capacity of 2.5L or more), the subject of the adjustment special consumption tax increase from July 1st.
![]() |
This trend is most obvious in the cars with less than 9 seatssegment. Specifically, in July, the volume of imported cars with less than 9 seatsreached 5,100 units, an 46.5% increase compared to June but import value reached only $US53 million, down 49.5%.
Therefore, cars with less than 9 seats prices as of July only reached $US 10,300/unit, which is nearly 1/3 of the average price $US 29,900/unit in June.
Related to the trend to reduce the import of automobiles, especially vehicles with large capacity, in a discussion with this reporter, Head of Export-Import Tax Division (Customs Department of Da Nang, one of the units having the largest volume of cars with less than 9 seatsimports in the first months of the year) Tran Van Anh said, by the end of August, revenue from imported automobiles increased by 400% the same period in 2015, contributing nearly 32% of total revenues of the Department.
However, all the automobiles imported in Da Nang Customs were done in the first 6 months of the year. From July 1st to the present, because of the tax increase of the large capacity vehicles (from 1.5L or more), there was no automobile import case executed in this Department.
Related News

Consulting on customs control for e-commerce imports and exports
14:50 | 14/02/2025 Regulations

Customs administrations coordinate to seize nearly 20,000 endangered wildlife
09:15 | 14/02/2025 Anti-Smuggling

Hai Phong Customs sets out 15 tasks to achieve the revenue target of VND 72,000 billion
10:12 | 11/02/2025 Customs

GDVC sets goal of widely disseminating Customs policies
07:49 | 12/02/2025 Customs
Latest News

Import and export turnover reaches about US$29 billion in the second half of January 2025
14:52 | 14/02/2025 Import-Export

Market edges up slightly as liquidity remains low
14:48 | 14/02/2025 Import-Export

Business regulations must be trimmed for development of enterprises: Experts
14:46 | 14/02/2025 Import-Export

Vietnam's agricultural product exports shine in 2024
14:44 | 14/02/2025 Import-Export
More News

Aiming for 16% credit growth and removing credit room allocation
09:17 | 14/02/2025 Import-Export

Malaysia initiates anti-dumping investigation on galvanised sheets from Việt Nam
09:45 | 13/02/2025 Import-Export

Coffee prices hit record highs, heightening speculation risks
09:29 | 13/02/2025 Import-Export

Exports witness a rise of US$1 billion in the first 15 days of 2025
07:49 | 12/02/2025 Import-Export

Central industrial hub sets ambitious growth target in 2025
14:26 | 11/02/2025 Import-Export

Demand for dragon fruit in Tiền Giang Province continues to increase
14:23 | 11/02/2025 Import-Export

Data centres are attracting investors in Asia
14:22 | 11/02/2025 Import-Export

US or China: Who will lead in Vietnamese Tra fish imports?
10:11 | 11/02/2025 Import-Export

Sustainable fashion presents promising niche market for textile manufacturers
08:22 | 10/02/2025 Import-Export
Your care

Import and export turnover reaches about US$29 billion in the second half of January 2025
14:52 | 14/02/2025 Import-Export

Market edges up slightly as liquidity remains low
14:48 | 14/02/2025 Import-Export

Business regulations must be trimmed for development of enterprises: Experts
14:46 | 14/02/2025 Import-Export

Vietnam's agricultural product exports shine in 2024
14:44 | 14/02/2025 Import-Export

Aiming for 16% credit growth and removing credit room allocation
09:17 | 14/02/2025 Import-Export