jbeck

Hi Jeff, I am a Freight Forwarder and like to advise you that it makes no sense to bring any electric or electronic device over. Plugs dont fit and Voltage is 220V...

Voltage is 220 - I was told this - but everywhere I went chiang mai , pai, phuket, I was able to plug my 110 stuff in. I don't understand...

The outlets did look a little different (the ground receptacle) - maybe they can support both voltages? I didn't need a converter. Help.

Without a WP you will have to pay taxes over it. A good agent in Thailand can help you negotiate a decent price with customs. You will need an agent, unless you know how to go to all the procedures.

Is it worth it? That depends on how much you estimate your belongings are worth.

You will face the cost of

transport to the agent in hawai

shipping

agent in Thailand

custom fee

transport to our home

I appreciate this advice but if anyone can recommend an actual company, agent, phone number, web site, this is what I'm asking for.

Thank you Mario.

I'm trying to find an inexpensive way to ship about 10 boxes of household items, including a mountain bike, guitar, espresso machine, clothes, hand tools, speakers, etc.

DHL, UPS, and USPS are sky-high and I'm going by the quotes I got on ONE box of 35 pounds, with no insurance, minimum declared value that they allow.

I don't care how long it takes, and I'm shipping from Hawaii.

One freight forwarder quoted me $1000 for the ten boxes, and all the others I called just won't do it because they want to do only large shipments.

I don't have enough to fill even the smallest container.

I don't have a work permit.

I'm not looking for advice on whether or not to sell and then buy new stuff in thailand.

But, has anyone done this and been happy with the price, or determined the best way - through experience?

Please refer me to a website or company name.

Thank you very much,

Jeff Beck

Hawaii

You can get the bike in that way.. But how are you going to get the plate.. Its expensive and complex..

You dont say where your going to live.. But you can import a bike for temporary use for 6 months at a time, then visa run to the border.. I know a few guys with different bikes, one a USA harley thats being doing this for years, maybe 3 or 4 already..

Bear in mind parts and competent mechanics.. You will have to consider doing most work yourself and ordering parts overseas on anything non standard.

Where I'm going to live matters? I can ship the bike to anywhere that will work and go get it.

What would I do to the bike by crossing the border - I don't understand this at all.

Where you live matters as if your central then its a lot more effort to visa run the bike every 6 months.. Or if your upcountry and rural you have much less chance of having it nicked by a over eager thai copper..

The concept of visa running the bike is simple.. You are allowed to bring a bike in, for up to 6 months at a time, while its on the USA plates.. You then leave the country, stamp it out.. Turn around and stamp it in.. Every 6 months.. Its a fair bit of hassle but if you live within a couple of hours of a border its not that bad.

Getting a legit plate will run you about 50 - 80k baht is my guess.. If your lucky.. Unlucky it could be over 100k.. Its all on who you know and who can process it without gouging you.. Theres all kinds of emissions and tests that it could fail if you dont pay the right people..

Unless its different from outside asia the maximum permitted stay for a bike is a month,,immaterail of the riders visa,.this i can guarantee, i flew a bike to cambodia ,registered it there and rode in and out of thailand 10 times, different borders, bribes offered,no good,,,, a month maximum ,thats it !

I can guarantee your wrong..

You can get 1 month at the border.. 2 at the malay broder.. then you go to your local customs house and extend the stay, up to a maximum of 6 months per visit..

I have many mates riding non thai regged bikes long term her locally.. The local customs house is totally OK with it and dont even need a drink to do all the papers.. Its 6 months per visit / exit of the country 100% sure.

Mates have British and USA regged bikes doing this for years.

Im actually not wrong at all if you read what i wrote (."Unless its different from outside asia the maximum permitted stay for a bike is a month ") .i was talking about in from cambodia ( my friend from sing also only got a month ), although i find it odd that it matters where they are from, i have 2 friends just last friday got their bikes off the plane at bkk from europe and got a month,if what you say is correct im really pleased and will be flying in a new bike to use here.ill keep you posted, as we are all ( almost all ) non residents immaterial of visa why wouldnt they give a longer permit as long as you take it with you when you leave,i will add the customs criteria in 2 weeks when/if i return from cambodia,. ps, i CAN guarantee this is wrong for a khymer registered bike as i have tried on numerous occasions at ALL borders "then you go to your local customs house and extend the stay, up to a maximum of 6 months per visit..

so if I ship the whole bike I will be charged a duty and then the duty will be returned when I ship it back (which I won't do)?

Then no need to register, get plate, etc, just go to a 'customs house' and get the one month extended to 6, and keep doing that?

You say per visit - per visit to thailand or visit to per customs house?

My visa will be a long-stay O-A one year.

'This is an expensive bike and I would really like to bring it over'.

The legal maximum for easy,legal and low cost registration is 250cc anything larger than this is very hard and expensive to get registered, also the bike needs to pass a very stringent emissions test which cost 25,000 baht by itself.

Jeff this is what you have to think about, because over here if you do not bring it in correctly then register it correctly a number of different agency's can take it from you, as in impound it. In the kawasaki ninja thread and the register a bike thread there are details of this.

no matter who you use here if it isn't done properly you could lose the bike. and where you are living matters because of the police and customs dept. if you are in Bangkok beware. if upcountry maybe no problem. the police here are not the same as at home they are more like mafia (corrupt).

i personally would sell yours and buy something when you get here. either a new d-tracker or one the numerous drz 400's that are about. not the same i know but a lot less headaches.

Allan

Allan

I've seen 1000cc sportbikes, even for sale at dealer. So it's harder to register meaning cost? More scrutiny, forms? Emissions should be fine it's street legal in California which is really really tough.

Still hoping to find someone who has actually done it, or tried.

Whats a d-tracker?

Aloha JBeck!

I would recommend you read this post for some useful information and insight into the hurdles and potential pitfalls of importing a bike in parts:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?s=...t&p=2264409

You can certainly import the bike, but be prepared to invest a lot of time and money, especially if you want to try to obtain legal registration and number plate.

In Bangkok, shops that may be able to help you include RED BARON and TEERA.

Good luck! Let us know how it goes.

I'm familiar with the DRZ (air cooled).

I have seen honda XL250 and honda CRF230 there.

Some people take these bikes and convert to supermoto - I can do that.

Basically supermoto means changing tires to street, and wheel size, and big brakes.

Then for the honda, many parts available to increase performance.

I'm just used to riding something of such high performance, incredible stopping power, suspension, etc..

My current bike has it all and riding it is so enjoyable..

Well, too bad.

thanks forum members.

You can get the bike in that way.. But how are you going to get the plate.. Its expensive and complex..

You dont say where your going to live.. But you can import a bike for temporary use for 6 months at a time, then visa run to the border.. I know a few guys with different bikes, one a USA harley thats being doing this for years, maybe 3 or 4 already..

Bear in mind parts and competent mechanics.. You will have to consider doing most work yourself and ordering parts overseas on anything non standard.

Where I'm going to live matters? I can ship the bike to anywhere that will work and go get it.

What would I do to the bike by crossing the border - I don't understand this at all.

Good point. I think I asked about registering the bike in the post. Getting the plate. How do I get the plate? Do you have experience with having difficulty getting a plate or know somebody that has done this? How do you know it will be difficult?

I appreciate everyone's concern. But really I am looking to get contact info for someone, maybe a friend you know, that has tried to do, or done this.

That way it's not all guesswork and opinion, but fact.

This is an expensive bike and I would really like to bring it over.

Thanks for your help.

Aloha

^^^^^^

What dave_boo said, go through established motorcycle dealership. They pay lesser taxes then individual importers but they'll charge you some handling fees for sure.

the bike is amazing, and i've had alot - more than alot - of bikes.

it's a street legal (in the USA) 450 single, water-cooled, dirt bike, but with street tires and fuel injection, electric start, and tons of goodies, but it comes that way from the factory. If you know the terminology, it's a 'supermoto' bike. 

If the duty is more than a few thousand USD, it's too much and I'll sell it here. That's why as some boxes/small crates, it's just 'parts'.

Does anyone know of a shop that can help, or even just maybe which shops are the BIGGEST?

And I doubt that a yamaha, honda, etc...dealer would want to get involved - at least over here, they'd think they would assume some liability by helping, and they'd rather sell me a bike anyway.

Maybe a private-owned, but relatively big shop?

Thanks,

Jeff

I would like to ship a bike to thailand in several boxes and a medium sized crate for the frame, and another one for the engine, as "motorcycle parts" to avoid the whole issue and high duty of shipping a "vehicle".

I have friends who have done this in the phillipines.

Before anyone wastes their time advising me against doing this, please, I am not asking for advice on whether or not to do it, just help and experience from people who might have tried and what went wrong, or have actually done this successfully.

Especially about how it worked out or not, how the duty was calculated, and if it was a problem registering the bike.

And, no, it's not the same kind of bike I could buy there, unless there is a way to purchase a Husqvarna SM450R, which I guess could be another question.

Thanks everyone,

Jeff Beck

Hawaii

Think long and hard before adding any aftermarket parts to your bike. Just had a quick look at the suggested website. I believe this is meant to be a brake disc

It may have looked nice on the drawing board, but it simply will not work. The only aftermarket parts I use are suspension

thanks for your concern. So, where can I get parts? Kop kun maak. Or do you know where you got your shock?

where can I buy special parts for these bikes?

Mine are 2008 model.

I am looking for things like shocks, forks, brakes, and high performance engine parts.

Website?

Shop name?

Thanks,

Jeff Beck

Applying for a multi OA (retirement) from your home country is not more difficult. The advantages are that the 800 000 Bht can be in your home account, and the visa is in effect valid for 2 years. The money is not tied up at all.

That would depend on each individuals situation and where they live.

If you don't have a doctor that you have a history with it could be difficult to find one to sign off on the physical and/or if found it could run into hundreds of dollars for that physical.

Dependent on where you live the ease of getting the police report can vary. It could be quick and free or take several days/weeks with a payment required.

I don't see anything about 2 years. Where did you learn about this?

The wording on many websites uses 'transfer' or 'deposit' rather than 'balance' of 800000B which is why I figured it meant an account to be opened IN thailand. Does a conversion ALSO imply an account in your home country is OK or then you really do need a thai bank account?

Maybe while applying in the US you need only to have that much in your account when you get the required 'bank statement' which again can be interpereted as a simple statement I get each month. The 'letter of guarantee' I am not familiar with. 

They also use the wording 'deposit account' - is this no different from an 'account' ? Or maybe it's a savings vs checking?

There;s still the 3 month question as well - some websites state the money needs to be there for 3 months prior to the application.

I'm not sure why it isn't crystal clear, but from looking on the web, it isn't, and there's also conflicting information.

anyhow, thanks again.

Jeff

Applying for a multi OA (retirement) from your home country is not more difficult. The advantages are that the 800 000 Bht can be in your home account, and the visa is in effect valid for 2 years. The money is not tied up at all.

That would depend on each individuals situation and where they live.

If you don't have a doctor that you have a history with it could be difficult to find one to sign off on the physical and/or if found it could run into hundreds of dollars for that physical.

Dependent on where you live the ease of getting the police report can vary. It could be quick and free or take several days/weeks with a payment required.

Sorry you lost me. this problem exits in the US or in Thailand? It is for a conversion in Thainland, or getting the OA in the US?

much appreciated,

Jeff

Applying for a multi OA (retirement) from your home country is not more difficult. The advantages are that the 800 000 Bht can be in your home account, and the visa is in effect valid for 2 years. The money is not tied up at all.

That would depend on each individuals situation and where they live.

If you don't have a doctor that you have a history with it could be difficult to find one to sign off on the physical and/or if found it could run into hundreds of dollars for that physical.

Dependent on where you live the ease of getting the police report can vary. It could be quick and free or take several days/weeks with a payment required.

So, neither doctor nor police are required for a conversion but only in home country (USA)? That is in aggreement with my point.

But everything I read said 800,000 in a THAI bank account, so how do you know this is NOT required? 

Also I've never seen a 2-year retirement visa so where again, are you getting this information? I would report every 90 days but not need to prove after one year that I have a balance of 800,000B in a (presumably US?) account?

Thanks much,

Jeff

Why not think about getting a "OA" (retirement visa) in the US prior to coming. This way your have one year to deposited the needed funds in a Thai bank or if on a pension you can use the 65K per month method using a letter from the US embassey ??

Hi - i read that obtaining in the US is more difficult. It ties up the money longer. I DO have a tellecommute job now that I will keep. It is not a pension.

My questions are very specific - I tried to keep it simple - thank you for you time in answering. Aloha.

im planning a multi entry 90 day visa, and then to convert to retirement 'O' in thailand

before I leave, exactly how do I open the bank account and does it really need to be at 800,000B without interruption for 3 months before i try to convert once in LOS?

are any banks in LOS 'better' than others for this purpose?

are any immigration offices better than others for doing the conversion?

I'll be in chiang mai, phuket, and a few other places in the kingdom at different times in the first 90 days

does it matter 'when' I convert to 'O' - can I do it anytime after I arrive? I know that the the one year will be added to the length of my current stay.

If I have a tellecommute job in the US, and will be filing a US income tax return, and have auto-depost checks to my US bank account, is that a potential problem?

thanks

jeff

hawaii

Well - I have one, and it occured to me that it may be frowned upon or be considered disrespectful by Thai people?

Does anyone know the answer to this question (no guess work - please)?

Or maybe another website/forum where I can find out?

Thanks in advane,

Jeff

Apple i-phone 3G. Sell it when you go back.

I'll arrive and go straight to Kata Beach, that's why I asked about a phone store THERE.

If I can get a 50-60 dollar phone (USD) that's fine - I won't have 2 many calls to make.

I'll just let a phone store set me up -

Here i have a Samsung Instinct - I'm guessing that won't work either?

Thanks for all the great advice!

Jeff

I would just wait until you arrive in Thailand and then purchase a low-end new phone or possibly a used one. There are literally thousands of mobile shops here and you will have no problem finding a phone. Maybe purchase and activate a known good SIM, then use that to test used phones that are of interest to you. Maybe buy a really cheap used phone first then wait to determine your future requirements (connectivity, memory, data, etc.). If you insist on buying a phone on eBay in the U.S.A. look for the following in the description: "Unlocked", "GSM 900/1800", "SIM".

Your Samsung phone (SPH-a900/Sprint) will not work in Thailand, nothing can be done to it to make it work. End of story.

The reason I wanted to get a phone on ebay was that I thought it was super expensive to buy one in Phuket/Kata beach to be specific.

I'll be there for 3 weeks - also chiang mai and bangkok - and may be back for more trips. Someone pointed out a 'decent' phone was USD$500.

I only need something used that will get me by - to call friends, hotels, tour reservations - I don't need a really nice phone like I have at home.

And you're saying any phone store will do? A recommendation won't help? Prices are all similar?

thanks.

Aloha,

I'd like to buy a used phone and get it programmed, buy SIM, minutes, etc when I get to Phuket.

Can anyone recommend a specific model phone around $50-$60 used that will work for this purpose?

Also a good phone store in Kata center to bring the phone to?

I really don't want to know how it works, or why, just let the store do all that.

And if I buy a used phone with no service, is the unlocking thing going to be an issue and can the store fix that?

I was told my samsung A900 would NOT work, but it was sprint that told me that. Maybe they only meant that sprint service won't work.

Thanks so much!

Jeff Beck ,

Hawaii