Under Decision No 17/2008/QD-BTC, the ministry has increased export tax rates for coal to 15 percent, crude oil to 8 percent, metal ores (including iron and copper) to 20 percent, and building tiles to 12 percent.
Meanwhile, it has reduced import duties on certain agricultural products and raw materials needed for production and waived duties on unprocessed seafood.
At the same time, the ministry yesterday raised the import duty on new completely-built-unit (CBU) automobiles from 70 percent to 83 percent in a move to slow on the increasing number of cars on the nation’s traffic-clogged roads.
The tariff on automobile parts and components imported for local assembly was also raised 3-5 percent, according to Deputy Finance Minister Do Hoang Tuan Anh.
The decision, the second auto tariff hike in 2008 and the first since the April 2 hike from 60 to 70 percent, is part of a Government drive to reduce traffic congestion by decelerating the mass importation of automobiles as well as an effort to curb the trade deficit. Experts said the Government had attempted to force local automakers to reduce sale prices by cutting import tariffs on CBUs and used cars, but the price of domestic automobiles has remained stable.
However, imports in March totalled 6,000 units, half of total imports in the first three months of the year, according to the General Department of Customs (GDC). The startling one-month rise may have spurred the decision to raise the import duty.
Hyundai was the leading import mark in March, with nearly 2,000 units, of which its Santa Fe SUV and Getz subcompact accounted for 1,007 and 805 units, respectively.
According to the Ministry of Transport, auto imports were expected to total 600 million USD this year, up from 523 million USD in 2007.
Imports of auto parts and components were also likely to reach 930 million USD this year, up 15 million USD.
Auto prices in
Last year,