Is there an import-export duty for goods temporarily imported for display at trade fairs or exhibitions in Vietnam?

What is a trade fair or exhibition in Vietnam?

Based on Article 129 of the Law on Commercial 2005, trade fairs or exhibitions are defined as commercial promotion activities conducted in a concentrated manner at a specific time and place for merchants to display and introduce goods and services with the aim of promoting and seeking opportunities to conclude sales contracts for goods and services.

Is there an import-export duty for goods temporarily imported for display at trade fairs or exhibitions in Vietnam? (Image from the Internet)

Is there an import-export duty for goods temporarily imported for display at trade fairs or exhibitions in Vietnam?

Based on Article 16 of the Law on Export and Import Duties 2016, it is stipulated as follows:

Tax Exemption

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4. Goods exempted from export or import taxes under international treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a member.

5. Goods with a value or tax amount due below the minimum threshold.

6. Raw materials, supplies, components imported for processing export products; complete products imported for attachment to processed products; processed export products.

Processed export products manufactured from domestic raw materials or supplies subject to export tax are not exempt from tax for the value of the domestic raw materials or supplies incorporated into the processed export products.

Goods exported for processing and then re-imported shall be exempt from export and import duties based on the value of the exported raw materials incorporated into the processed products. For goods exported for processing and then re-imported if they are resources, minerals, or products where the total value of resources, minerals plus energy expenses constitute 51% or more of the production cost, they are not exempted from tax.

7. Raw materials, supplies, components imported for producing export goods.

8. Goods manufactured, processed, recycled, or assembled in non-tariff zones without using imported raw materials or components from abroad when imported into the domestic market.

9. Goods temporarily imported for re-export or temporarily exported for re-import within a definite time frame, including:

a) Goods temporarily imported for re-export or temporarily exported for re-import to organize or participate in fairs, exhibitions, product introductions, sports events, cultural or artistic events, or other events; machinery and equipment temporarily imported for re-export for testing and product development; machinery, equipment, and professional tools temporarily imported for re-export or temporarily exported for re-import to serve tasks within a specific time frame or processing for foreign merchants, excluding cases where machinery, equipment, tools, or transportation means of entities or individuals are permitted to temporarily import for re-export to implement investment projects, construction works, or to serve production;

b) Machinery, equipment, parts, and components temporarily imported for replacing or repairing foreign ships, aircraft or temporarily exported for replacing or repairing Vietnamese ships, aircraft abroad; goods temporarily imported for re-export to supply foreign ships, aircraft docked at Vietnamese ports;

c) Goods temporarily imported for re-export or temporarily exported for re-import for warranty, repair, or replacement;

d) Rotational means under temporary import for re-export or temporary export for re-import to contain export or import goods;

đ) Goods under temporary import for re-export business within the temporary import time limit or re-export (including the extension period) guaranteed or a deposit equivalent to the import tax of goods temporarily imported for re-export.

10. Non-commercial goods in the following cases: samples; photos, films, models replacing samples; small quantities of advertising materials.

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Thus, according to the above provisions, goods temporarily imported for display at trade fairs and exhibitions are exempt from import and export duties.

Shall goods temporarily imported for display at trade fairs and exhibitions receive an environmental protection tax refund in Vietnam?

Based on Article 11 of the Law on Environmental Protection Tax 2010, there are five cases eligible for an environmental protection tax refund in 2024:

[1] Imported goods stored in warehouses or yards at checkpoints under customs supervision, which are re-exported abroad;

[2] Imported goods for delivery or sale to foreign countries through agencies in Vietnam; gasoline, oil sold to foreign transport means on their way through Vietnamese ports or Vietnamese transport means on international transport routes according to the law;

[3] Goods temporarily imported for re-export under the temporary import, re-export business method.

[4] Imported goods re-exported abroad by the importer;

[5] Goods temporarily imported for participation in trade fairs, exhibitions, or product introductions under the law when re-exported abroad.

Therefore, in addition to the import and export duties, goods temporarily imported for display at trade fairs and exhibitions, when re-exported abroad, are also eligible for an environmental protection tax refund as per legal regulations.