According to the plan, the ministry will seize unclaimed cars held in ports for more than 30 days, instead of the 90 days previously.— Photo HNM

HA NOI (Biz Hub) — The Ministry of Finance may shorten the time to seize unclaimed cars at ports in several cities by classing them as abandoned property.

According to the plan, the ministry will seize unclaimed cars held in ports for more than 30 days, instead of the 90 days previously.

The cars will be later sold publicly and the money added to the State budget.

The ministry's General Department of Customs last month asked offices in Hai Phong, Da Nang, HCM City, Ba Ria – Vung Tau and Quang Ninh provinces to co-ordinate closely with warehouse companies - and then take action.

According to a source close to the department, five imported luxury Lexus cars, including a RX 350, LX 570 and GX 460F held in central Da Nang City, would be the first cars to be seized because they have been unclaimed for several months .

Customs officers have been asked to carefully verify each case and report to the General Department any evidence of smuggling.

In May 30 this year, a total of 178 used cars (mostly manufactured in 2011, 2012 and 2013) imported by overseas Vietnamese were being held at ports.

Investigations have shown that legal ownership for these cars has not been established.

In many cases, the owners are illegal immigrants or do not have permanent residency in Viet Nam.

In several other cases, the applications for importing cars do not meet set requirements. — VNS