Over 5,000 vehicles illegally imported in 2015-2016
Over 5,000 vehicles illegally imported in 2015-2016
The Customs Department under the Ministry of Finance has reported th at they impounded more than 5,000 illegally imported vehicles in the fiscal year of 2015-2016.
Acting Director General of the Customs Department, Mr Bounpaseuth Sikounlabout, told a customs meeting in Vientiane recently that vehicle and goods smuggling has become a problem for the customs sector.
�In order to achieve revenue collection according to the plan, we have to pay attention to address the problem,� he stressed.
In 2015-2016, the customs sector set a plan to collect revenue of 2,426 billion kip nationwide but in practice they were able to collect revenue of 1,828 billion kip, accounting for 75.34 percent of the plan.
The number of imported vehicles reduced by 45.67 percent or a total of about 37,710 vehicles, it was reported.
However, vehicle imports across the country seemed to be illegal as most of the vehicle owners have only notified of the registration of imported vehicles but they didn't come to pay customs in line with regulations, resulting in the customs sector being unable to collect revenue as planned, Mr Bounpaseuth said.
Last year, more than 5,000 vehicles were illegally imported. These vehicles would have generated revenue of 66 billion kip for the government, he added.
This year, the department will increase its efforts in preventing and combatting illegal smuggling activities and continue to solve issues surrounding the more than 5,000 illegal imported vehicles.
Some of these vehicles were actually destined for ministries, government departments and individuals, but were imported to Laos by vehicle import companies, which failed to follow proper procedures.
In addition, the department will also solve the issue of 143 vehicles at Thanalaeng customs checkpoint. It is expected that if properly imported, these vehicles would have generated revenue of 13.9 billion kip for the government, he said.
Authorities have called on the public to comply with the Customs Department's regulations regarding vehicle imports. Interested car buyers should connect with local companies if they want to import a vehicle.
