The regulations governing imports of used machines and technologies will be relaxed by a draft amending Circular 20 the Ministry of Science and Technology has put forth for comment.

Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Quan reported the loosened rules of the new circular to National Assembly deputies at a question-and-answer session last week.

Organizations and individuals will be allowed to import used machines with at least 70% remaining life or machines having been used for less than 10 years, compared to 80% and five years in the current circular.

However, some sectors such as health and environment are required to buy better quality machines with over 70% remaining life. Importers have to show documents proving quality and manufacture dates to relevant agencies in the country.

Quan said the amended circular would come out this year.

In 2014, the ministry had to suspend the enforcement of Circular 20 on prohibiting the import of secondhand machines and technologies to Vietnam after strong protests from businesses. The circular stipulated that only machines and equipment which have at least 80% remaining life or have been used for less than five years would be approved for import into Vietnam.

SGT