This is actually for a freind, although the friend is not in Thailand now so I am trying to help him.

 

My friend has a Porsche 356 replica.  Yesterday afternoon it was on a slider truck being taken to a show and the police took it and brought it to the Excise Tax office saying he had to pay excise tax + a penalty.

The car is registered as a VW and tax was paid.  Some parts were imported and taxes paid.

A few of my friends have 356 replicas and have never had this issue.  No one understands why this has happened and, more importantly, how much this is going to cost.

Any thoughts?

That’s a really interesting story and would be interesting to know how it works out.

 

i am only speculating here but I can see 2 outcomes.

 

one , once they realize it’s a copy they will let him go

 

second, once they realize it’s a copy , they may go further with copyright infringement charges or just confiscate the car 

With him out of the country, I went in yesterday.

They were very nice and they quickly realized that it was a VW.  proper chassis and motor number.

No mention of copyright infringement--heck there are thousands of these cars in USA and there is no issue...

17 minutes ago, GoDucks said:

With him out of the country, I went in yesterday.

They were very nice and they quickly realized that it was a VW.  proper chassis and motor number.

No mention of copyright infringement--heck there are thousands of these cars in USA and there is no issue...

 

Ok, so they were nice and realized and why is car being held?

 

USA is not Thailand, There are also plenty of replicas locally, that does not mean all are legal

 

I recall some years ago, they arrested a guy for exporting replica Ferrari

42 minutes ago, GoDucks said:

With him out of the country, I went in yesterday.

They were very nice and they quickly realized that it was a VW.  proper chassis and motor number.

No mention of copyright infringement--heck there are thousands of these cars in USA and there is no issue...

So did you pay to get it back?

 

Does the donor VW have outstanding vehicle tax?

Was the original VW legally imported?

hello, can I know what is the purpose of owning a replica, and where do they buy them in Thailand ? Thanks.

1 minute ago, grkt said:

hello, can I know what is the purpose of owning a replica, and where do they buy them in Thailand ? Thanks.

Replicas are for loosers that cannot afford a real one

13 minutes ago, travelling wilbury said:

Replicas are for loosers that cannot afford a real one

I Guess not all people are moguls unlike your big self, so little people have to settle for what they can afford

16 minutes ago, grkt said:

hello, can I know what is the purpose of owning a replica, and where do they buy them in Thailand ? Thanks.

Sometimes can be seen for sale, but usually have garages that make it to order. Purpose? that would be individual preference i suppose.

 

A Lambo or Ferrari in Thailand goes for 25 million up, so little chance of owning one for most people, but replica is about as close as you get to get some kind of a feeling ?

On 6/24/2018 at 8:30 PM, VocalNeal said:

So did you pay to get it back?

 

Does the donor VW have outstanding vehicle tax?

Was the original VW legally imported?

Its still a negotiation.
The donor car has all taxes paid and was imported legally.
 

2 hours ago, grkt said:

hello, can I know what is the purpose of owning a replica, and where do they buy them in Thailand ? Thanks.

It was made at some local shops in Bangkok.

2 hours ago, travelling wilbury said:

Replicas are for loosers that cannot afford a real one

Yeah there are so many actual 1956-57 Porsche 356 in Thailand...
Actually I think there is not a single real one in the entire country.  I do know someone who owns a 1962.
 

So here is the update...

They are trying to say that most of the parts were imported from overseas.  However, they were not.  The chassis and engine are from the legally-imported VW.  The body and frame were made in Thailand.  The interior finished here, too.

The only parts imported were some gauges and body trim.  Maybe 1% of the car.

So they are completely wrong in their accusations.  And despite having all the evidence staring them straight in the face, with pictures and receipts of every step of the assembly, they are asking for 800,000 in excise tax.

 

3 minutes ago, GoDucks said:

So here is the update...

They are trying to say that most of the parts were imported from overseas.  However, they were not.  The chassis and engine are from the legally-imported VW.  The body and frame were made in Thailand.  The interior finished here, too.

So they are completely wrong in their accusations.  And despite having all the evidence staring them straight in the face, with pictures and receipts of every step of the assembly, they are asking for 800,000 in excise tax.

 

 So how much did they value the car to be worth to come up with 800 000 baht tax?

They said the car should be taxed at 40% and then they penialized me at 2x the tax...

They told me how they were giving us such a great deal! 

Of course, their basic premise was wrong since almost none of this car was imported.

1 minute ago, GoDucks said:

They said the car should be taxed at 40% and then they penialized me at 2x the tax...

They told me how they were giving us such a great deal! 

Of course, their basic premise was wrong since almost none of this car was imported.

So what value did the put on the car? and you saying not 40% tax,but double ? 80%?

 

This copies are worth around 500 000, 40% would be 200 000, double that 400 000

 

That means they valued the car at 1 million?

 

What is next? can appeal? go to court? or either pay or loose it?

40% tax + 80% fine.

 

They said they were only valuing it at 600,000+ to give me a break.

 

They then tried to scare me and say that the owner of the car could go to jail for 7 years for falsifying the blue book (which was never done).

 

Negotiations are ongoing....

3 minutes ago, GoDucks said:

Negotiations are ongoing....

If all paperwork correct, i would take it to court, if it was an option. But keep in mind as i said before, they did arrest someone exporting replica Ferrari's and from memory their ace was because replica's had Ferrari badge on it, So if this car is only a replica in body shape, without identifying badge, then court would be the best, but if it does have the badges, then i guess negotiating is the only option

 

Good luck sounds like a real pain in the butt or someone really wants to have this car

Well, you know how government officials are, around the world, even if they are proven wrong they are not going to admit it.

 

Yes, this might go to court.  But the car will be pretty worthless after sitting around for 2+ years.

2 minutes ago, GoDucks said:

Well, you know how government officials are, around the world, even if they are proven wrong they are not going to admit it.

 

Yes, this might go to court.  But the car will be pretty worthless after sitting around for 2+ years.

True but for 800 000 baht can get a new replica, not exactly a small pocket change

1 minute ago, BestB said:

True but for 800 000 baht can get a new replica, not exactly a small pocket change

While that might be a bit overly optimistic, no way this is going to be settled for anywhere near 800,000.  Especially when their basic accusation is wrong.

As in 9 cases out of 10, when the Thai Police step in, it's usually to extort money from farangs

2 hours ago, BestB said:

but replica is about as close as you get to get some kind of a feeling

Yup, just as close as a ladyboy comes close to a girl.

Just now, Thian said:

Yup, just as close as a ladyboy comes close to a girl.

So what car do you drive?

LOL

6 minutes ago, GoDucks said:

So what car do you drive?

LOL

30 year old Mazda fighter or Nissan NV???

 

nah just joking , I am

sure he has either latest BM or alike

9 minutes ago, GoDucks said:

So what car do you drive?

LOL

A replica Hyundai with a hidden Porsche engine safely tucked away in the boot ! ?

26 minutes ago, GoDucks said:

While that might be a bit overly optimistic, no way this is going to be settled for anywhere near 800,000.  Especially when their basic accusation is wrong.

Can not comment , in my

limited experience with Thai customs I never got an upper hand, only once when i imported a wheelchair for my dog I got lucky, he was a dog lover and released it without charge, well....  just 1000 for lunch money ?

 

good luck either way , hope it works out in your favor

On 6/25/2018 at 8:42 PM, BestB said:

Sometimes can be seen for sale, but usually have garages that make it to order. Purpose? that would be individual preference i suppose.

 

A Lambo or Ferrari in Thailand goes for 25 million up, so little chance of owning one for most people, but replica is about as close as you get to get some kind of a feeling ?

So is that  also  an explanation  for  Call Girls  versus  a Wife??

 

1 minute ago, Dumbastheycome said:

So is that  also  an explanation  for  Call Girls  versus  a Wife??

 

Perhaps change of meds is in order.?