You are using an outdated browser and your browsing experience will not be optimal. Please update to the latest version of Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. Install Microsoft Edge

December 2, 2022

Myanmar Announces Rules for Electric Vehicle Importation and Motorcycle Showrooms

Subscribe to Updates

On November 11, 2022, Myanmar’s Ministry of Commerce (MOC) announced a pilot period for importing electric vehicles into Myanmar, which came into force with MOC Order No. 62/2022, issued under the Import and Export Law. A separate order (No. 61/2022) issued on the same day specifies rules for importation of motorcycles by companies that do not have a certificate to open a showroom, as well as rules for opening motorcycle showrooms.

Electric Vehicle Importation

According to the order, which takes effect January 1, 2023, “electric vehicles” includes only battery electric vehicles (BEVs) for both personal use and passenger use.

In order to import electric vehicles into Myanmar without having a certificate to open a showroom, companies must:

  • Be registered as a company, either wholly owned by nationals or a joint venture, at the Directorate of Investment and Company Administration (DICA);
  • Be able to present the purchase and sales agreement for each brand of imported electric vehicles;
  • Receive approval from the National Steering Committee for Development of Electric Vehicles and Associated Businesses, and import according to the quality and quantity of electric vehicles permitted by the committee;
  • Arrange the necessary warranty, spare parts availability, and after-sales service for the imported electric vehicles;
  • Deposit a bank guarantee of MMK 50 million at a bank recognized by the Central Bank of Myanmar; and
  • Apply for a purchase permit at the MOC, for the purpose of registering the imported vehicles with the Road Transport Administration Department.

BEV Tax Exemption

Following MOC Order No. 62/2022, BEVs and their batteries are now exempted from commercial tax and special goods tax, which came into force with the Law Amending the Union Tax Law 2022 (State Administrative Council Law No. 48/2022) dated November 17, 2022. These tax exemptions will be effective from October 1, 2022, to March 31, 2023.

Motorcycle Showrooms

In addition to fulfilling the last three items in the above list for electric vehicle importation, a company wishing to open a motorcycle showroom in Myanmar must have a showroom area of at least 5,000 square feet, and the imported motorcycles must be brand new. Showroom owners are subject to unannounced checks regarding the documents for the motorcycles, arranged by the MOC or any other relevant ministry. Any breach of these rules is subject to legal action under existing laws.

For more details on importation of electric vehicles or any other goods into Myanmar, please contact Tilleke & Gibbins at [email protected].

Related Professionals

Industries

Automotive

Technology

Practices

Customs and International Trade

Tax

Location

RELATED INSIGHTS​ 

February 23, 2025
On January 6, 2025, the government of Vietnam issued Decree No. 05/2025/ND-CP amending and supplementing Decree No. 08/2022/ND-CP detailing the Law on Environmental Protection (“Decree 05”). Decree 05 came into effect immediately upon issuance and provides several changes to the regulations governing extended producer responsibility (“EPR”) for applicable manufacturers and importers, outlining their obligations concerning the recycling and treatment of discarded products and packages. (See our previous article on Vietnam’s EPR regulations here.) Outlined below are some critical amendments in Decree 05. Entities Subject to EPR Regulations Previously, Decree 08 limited the responsibility for recycling to manufacturers and importers of products and packaging specified in statutory lists. Decree 05 expands this scope by also including entities responsible for the quality and labeling of the regulated products and goods in Vietnam. Decree 05 inherits the regulations from Decree 08 that manufacturers and importers, if they produce and import products and packaging as stipulated by law, must fulfill their responsibility to recycle or support waste treatment activities. However, Decree 05 amends the lists of products/packaging that must be recycled or undergo waste treatment, and new products/packaging and recycling methods. Notably, rechargeable batteries (including those used in vehicles or for electrical and electronic devices) have been added to the list of regulated products and self-propelled vehicles and construction machinery have been removed from the list. Decree 05 also not only streamlines the recycling methods required for each type of product/packaging, but also removes the minimum requirement on the mass of products/packaging that must be recovered when recycling. Manufacturers and importers now have more flexibility in selecting recycling methods that are more suitable for actual recycling conditions in Vietnam. Decree 05 has revised the cases of exemption from recycling and waste treatment obligations, clarifying that both packaging manufacturers and importers with annual product
Read More
February 20, 2025
Vietnam’s Decree No. 147/2024/ND-CP on the management, provision, and use of internet services and online information (Decree 147) was issued on November 9, 2024, and came into effect on December 25, 2024. Decree 147 represents a more stringently regulated digital landscape in Vietnam, creating challenges not only for offshore service providers offering cross-border services but also for onshore providers. As these new regulations impose stricter requirements, particularly in areas like content control, user authentication, data storage, and service license/notification, companies will need to adapt quickly to maintain compliance and minimize legal risks. The following are some of the key topics covered by Decree 147. [Note: Shortly after the issuance of Decree 147, Vietnam began a government restructuring process, with the aim of streamlining the government by consolidating and eliminating various ministries and agencies. Thus, the decree’s references to authorities such as the Authority of Broadcasting and Electronic Information (ABEI) and the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) are subject to change.] 1. Cross-Border Information Provision Cross-border information provision is defined broadly as the provision by overseas organizations and individuals of information and online information content services for service users in Vietnam to access or use. This wide-ranging definition encompasses various types of cross-border services, including social network services, online game services, and app store services. However, cross-border provision of online game services remains prohibited under Decree 147 (see further details below). Offshore providers of services on a cross-border basis who lease data storage in Vietnam or meet a threshold of 100,000 or more total visits per month from Vietnam for six consecutive months (“regulated cross-border providers”) must adhere to stricter requirements. Specifically, they are required to, among other requirements: Notify the relevant authority of their contact information, including the location of the main server providing the service, within 60
Read More
February 17, 2025
Thailand’s draft Emergency Decree on Technology Crimes Suppression, which we covered in a client alert in January 2025 primarily addressed to telecom operators and financial institutions, is expected to have significant implications for a wide range of business operators.  The draft emergency decree has already been approved by the cabinet but may undergo further developments as it continues in the legislative process. In this article, we will highlight the material impacts of the draft emergency decree on overseas and local fintech operators. Expanded Definition of “Technology Crimes” The definition of “technology crimes” now includes the following acts of forgery or alteration: Forging or altering the identity of individuals and biometric characteristics by utilizing computer or communication systems or other electronic means to commit offenses. Forging or altering symbols, trademarks, or seals of groups (e.g., foundations, community enterprises) or juristic persons, including acts by juristic persons using individuals or juristic persons as nominal directors or shareholders, regardless of whether such individuals or legal juristic persons reside in Thailand. Forging or altering digital or online platforms, regardless of the platform’s location or legal status. Individuals who conspire, utilize, assist, or support the commission of these offenses will face the same penalties as the principal offender. Business Operator Definition The scope of “business operators” is now expanded to cover various fintech and digital asset operators beyond those under the Payment Systems Act (PSA). The draft emergency decree now includes the following operators, whether they are legally authorized or not: Business operators under the PSA and business operators who operate “as if” they are payment system operators Business operators under the Royal Decree on Digital Asset Businesses or business operators who operate “as if” they are digital asset business operators. Foreign exchange business operators. Disclosure and Exchange of Information Business operators must disclose
Read More
February 13, 2025
The Contract Committee of Thailand’s Office of the Consumer Protection Board has issued a notification updating the stipulation that any sale of a new vehicle or motorcycle requiring an upfront deposit from the consumer for reservation purposes is now classified as a contract-controlled business. Titled “Requiring Reservation Agreements for New Vehicles and Motorcycles to be Contract-Controlled Businesses B.E. 2567,” the notification takes effect on February 19, 2025, and supersedes the previous notification from 2008, which applied only to “vehicles” (excluding motorcycles). Key changes and requirements introduced by the new notification include: Inclusion of electric vehicles and motorcycles. The notification now extends beyond traditional vehicles powered by combustion engines to include those powered by electricity. It also covers motorcycles powered by both combustion engines and electricity. Definition of order deposit. An order deposit is defined as any money or benefit provided by the consumer to reserve a vehicle or motorcycle. It is distinct from a security deposit and is solely for reservation purposes. Standardized order deposit agreement. Order deposit agreements must be in Thai and clearly visible and readable. Business operators must use the template prescribed by the notification to ensure compliance with the standardized terms and conditions. This extends to both physical and electronic agreements and includes transactions facilitated by digital platform providers. Specification of delivery date. Agreements must specify the exact date, month, and year for delivery, unlike the previous requirement for only an estimated delivery date. Detailed deposit collection description. Agreements must outline the method of deposit collection, providing more specificity than the general description required previously. Prohibited terms. Agreements must not include: Limitation or exclusion of liability for the business operator’s faults. Provisions allowing the business operator to change the delivery date or conditions to the consumer’s detriment. Provisions allowing the business operator to terminate the
Read More