Customs alert - New guidance on tax treatment for export-production model with outsource processing

We would like to highlight below the notable content of this letter.

1. Guidance on tax policy

For cases where materials are imported under export-production mode, belonging to Customs import declaration sheets registered as from 01/09/2016 onwards, part of which is handed to a 3^rd party vendor for processing, then the Company would get back the semi-finished or finished products to continue the production or to export, such imported materials will be fully exempted from import duty as prescribed in Clause 7, Article 16 of the Law on Import and Export Tax No. 107/2016/QH13.

2. Guidance on handling past transactions

• In case of no tax imposition decision yet: The Customs authority will not issue such decision.
• In case where tax imposition decision has been issued: The Customs authority will amend and/or revoke such decision(s). Tax amount paid by the Company under such decision(s) will be treated as over-payment of tax/interest/penalty and settled accordingly under the prevailing regulation.

Particularly for the imposed Value-added tax (“VAT”) which has already been paid by the Company and yet been refunded by the local Tax authority, this will be fully refunded by the Customs authority to the Company.

In the coming time, Customs departments of provinces and cities shall increasingly and closely perform the checking of Customs finalization reports on the use of duty-free material, conduct post-clearance Customs audit for high-risk cases, and regularly report to the GDC on the result in implementing this Official Letter.

OUR SUPPORT

We do trust the above points are notable and sufficient, but should you have any questions or need a deeper discussion on this issue, please do not hesitate to contact us.