Thai car now in Laos but cannot return the car to Thailand.

[amdy2206]

I live in Laos but have an old Thai car. I usually bring it to Laos for but have to return the car to Thailand monthly. Due to its age it now needs major work but the car is not worth it, so I am unable to return it to Thailand as it is no longer mobile (and I expect it will be scrapped).  Does anyone know what I should do with regards to the car's paperwork and customs etc. There us a stamp saying 1000B fine per day if not returned up to a maximum of 10,000B. I don't want to have problems with customs as my passport details are on the paperwork and I regularly go to Thailand. Any assistance would be gratefully received. Thank you.

[hellstens]

Tow the car the border to Thailand and push it over the border so it is in Thailand then call someone who can get and scrap it for you.

[sirineou]

I am sure there must be a process for vehicles destroyed while out of the country, otherwise what would someone do if one was in an accident while outside the country and the vehicle was totaled.

Scrap it , present the Thais authorities of evidence of the destruction and decommission of the vehicle and use the proceeds to mitigate the 10,000 bht fine, and or other charges,if any.

[Kieran00001]

10 minutes ago, sirineou said:

I am sure there must be a process for vehicles destroyed while out of the country, otherwise what would someone do if one was in an accident while outside the country and the vehicle was totaled.

Scrap it , present the Thais authorities of evidence of the destruction and decommission of the vehicle and use the proceeds to mitigate the 10,000 bht fine, and or other charges,if any.

 

If it were the other way round, a foreign car that had broken down in Thailand, then there would be the possibility to get a maximum two month extension, but normally the charge would 100 baht per day overstay, and eventually the vehicle must always go or it will be eligible for import tax, importing an already broken car also requires the import taxes to be paid, it makes no difference that it doesn't drive, scrapping it will also mean that the full taxes have to be paid.

[Kieran00001]

Either fix it and drive it to Thailand or pay for a transporter to move it for you, I very much doubt if the border staff will entertain you pushing it over the border, get an international car mover to move it, they are always taking cars into Laos and they are always empty on the way back, it should be cheap.

[sirineou]

1 minute ago, Kieran00001 said:

 

If it were the other way round, a foreign car that had broken down in Thailand, then there would be the possibility to get a maximum two month extension, but normally the charge would 100 baht per day overstay, and eventually the vehicle must always go or it will be eligible for import tax, importing an already broken car also requires the import taxes to be paid, it makes no difference that it doesn't drive, scrapping it will also mean that the full taxes have to be paid.

 I don't profess to know the actual process just that logic dictate that there must be a process. Many cars cross the border and I am sure some must get int accidents and a percentage of them are totaled. What does someone do under such circumstance?I cant believe that one would need to repatriate the pieces . or export/import the vehicle. There must be a process.

As I said I don't know, and follow this thread with interest in case I find myself in a similar situation.

 

[Kieran00001]

6 minutes ago, sirineou said:

 I don't profess to know the actual process just that logic dictate that there must be a process. Many cars cross the border and I am sure some must get int accidents and a percentage of them are totaled. What does someone do under such circumstance?I cant believe that one would need to repatriate the pieces . or export/import the vehicle. There must be a process.

As I said I don't know, and follow this thread with interest in case I find myself in a similar situation.

 

 

If it is scrapped in another country then that car is being imported there, and most countries are pretty strict on this, if they weren't then people would cut cars up and then stick them back together to avoid import tax. 

 

Insurance for travel abroad should cover the cost, but normally you need to import it, pay the tax and then scrap it, before you can reclaim the costs from the insurance company.  At leas that is how it works in Europe outside of the EU, I have been though it, and the best way for me was to repair the car, if I had of decided to write it off then my options were to import it or remove it, nothing else.

[samran]

In the Thai and Lao fine print when you bought the car over is a statement that you'll be liable for the full Lao import duty on the car. Knowing general ASEAN tariff levels on autos, it won't be cheap.

 

Car is linked to your passport electronically so no doubt they have tools to nab you for the tax if they want to, next time you travel.

 

Won't matter if it is unusable.

 

Get one more patch up on it, and as other have said, take it to the border and leave it on the side of the road if thats what you want.

[grkt]

Sorry, can you confirm, the fine is 10000 thb maximum, so it means that if we are ready to pay it we can keep a Thai car abroad as long as we want ?

[gregk0543]

http://jclao.com/govt-resolves-illegal-import-of-thousands-of-vehicles/

 

You are not alone....

[steve73]

What if the car were to be stolen when in another country...  Would you still be expected to pay all import duties?

[Formaleins]

3 hours ago, Kieran00001 said:

 

If it is scrapped in another country then that car is being imported there, and most countries are pretty strict on this, if they weren't then people would cut cars up and then stick them back together to avoid import tax. 

 

Insurance for travel abroad should cover the cost, but normally you need to import it, pay the tax and then scrap it, before you can reclaim the costs from the insurance company.  At leas that is how it works in Europe outside of the EU, I have been though it, and the best way for me was to repair the car, if I had of decided to write it off then my options were to import it or remove it, nothing else.

That is what they actually do, the Thais have been doing this for years - just look at the old trade in Jap motorbikes that are in Thailand on "Invoice" most of those came here in pieces, with them being assembled later in Thailand.

[chickenrunCM]

let somebody steal it

[Cohen]

Go to the embassy and tell them that you lost your passport. Change the name. And tell for the greedy Thai tax to f..k off.

[VBF]

Not sure from the OP, but how do the Thai authorities actually KNOW the car is not in Thailand?

If they don't, why not just declare it scrapped and destroyed?  Offer the number plates as "evidence"??

 

Or am I missing something?

[Autonuaq]

Call the thai insurance of the car they can help you out.

[gregk0543]

Yes you are in a right mess you have a temporary export permit from Thailand for 30 days which after that is 1000 baht per day with maximum 10,000 baht after that.

 

You also have a temporary import permit in Laos which will make you liable for import duties and taxes if the car does not get re-exported.

 

The safe bet is to tow or truck it back to Thailand and scrap it. 

[whaleboneman]

5 hours ago, steve73 said:

What if the car were to be stolen when in another country...  Would you still be expected to pay all import duties?

No, the thief would have to pay the duty.

[cat handler]

Remove the plates and take them and paperwork to Thailand and report it’s been written off.

[steve187]

7 hours ago, Cohen said:

Go to the embassy and tell them that you lost your passport. Change the name. And tell for the greedy Thai tax to f..k off.

good advice, all the problems a name change would create, just to avoid getting the car back across the border

[Just Weird]

17 hours ago, Cohen said:

Go to the embassy and tell them that you lost your passport. Change the name. And tell for the greedy Thai tax to f..k off.

Brilliant.

[StevieAus]

16 hours ago, whaleboneman said:

No, the thief would have to pay the duty.

Brilliant the best laugh I have had all day.