Importing my car - impossible right?

[tommytank]

Is it possible to import my beloved Porche Macan Turbo from the USA?

 

I'm sure I read on here many years ago it's practically impossible, right?

[Peterw42]

Its not impossible, it just ends up costing 2-3 times what the car is worth.

(what Thai customs says its worth, not what you say its worth)

[ThaidDown]

Not impossible but get it fitted with disabled controls before sending it. 

 

As it will cost an arm and a leg to import it.

 

[NCC1701A]

12 minutes ago, tommytank said:

Is it possible to import my beloved Porche Macan Turbo from the USA?

 

I'm sure I read on here many years ago it's practically impossible, right?

forget it. its the first thing everybody wants to do. 

[Andy from Kent]

18 minutes ago, tommytank said:

Is it possible to import my beloved Porche Macan Turbo from the USA?

 

I'm sure I read on here many years ago it's practically impossible, right?

 

 

Do you enjoy putting yourself in a situation where a government agent can legally hold a gun to your head?

 

 

[Pottinger]

The only cost-effective way is to break it down in the US and import as parts, then re-assemble in Thailand. But even then there's no guarantee customs won't impound some or all of the parts on a pretext, or charge prohibitive duty. And that's disregarding the huge hassle involved.

[Peterw42]

Just now, Pottinger said:

The only cost-effective way is to break it down in the US and import as parts, then re-assemble in Thailand. But even then there's no guarantee customs won't impound some or all of the parts on a pretext, or charge prohibitive duty. And that's disregarding the huge hassle involved.

The problem then arises when you try and register the car. The DLT will want to see import papers etc.

A car just cant just come into existence, it has to be manufactured, imported etc.

 

The only way it may be remotely possible is to buy an existing wreck of similar make/model and re-birth it.

I read somewhere that's how all the Nissan skylines exist, re-birthed  Nissan Cefiros

 

[NCC1701A]

10 minutes ago, Pottinger said:

The only cost-effective way is to break it down in the US and import as parts, then re-assemble in Thailand. But even then there's no guarantee customs won't impound some or all of the parts on a pretext, or charge prohibitive duty. And that's disregarding the huge hassle involved.

i could be wrong but it is illegal to import used car parts. 

[PatOngo]

How much do you like the car?

[Pottinger]

1 minute ago, NCC1701A said:

i could be wrong but it is illegal to import used car parts. 

 

You may well be right, it's almost thirty years since I looked at doing it with a motorcycle.

In any case, you'd have to be sleeping with a car to want to go through the hassle I describe.

[Peterw42]

9 minutes ago, NCC1701A said:

i could be wrong but it is illegal to import used car parts. 

A lot of people build model cars for a hobby,

They import model car kits, they are just an odd scale size 1: 1.

[ravip]

...and using a left hand driven car in Thailand?

[ezzra]

Importing a car to Thailand? you'll have a better chance bonking miss universe and living to tell about it then importing a car to Thailand...

[tifino]

say it is one of those chinese knockoffs

(buy some chinese decals) ????  

especially as generically left hand drive already to go... 

[toofarnorth]

27 minutes ago, PatOngo said:

How much do you like the car?

I was thinking that the steering wheel is on the wrong side for a start.

[Captain Monday]

Buy one here. 3.5 mil. Too expensive? 

https://www.one2car.com/en/used-cars-for-sale/porsche/macan/thailand_bangkok-metropolitan_bangkok

[1FinickyOne]

You are going to end up driving on the wrong side of the road... I thought I would have trouble adjusting but I found 'steering wheel in the center' is much more compelling than my left/right instinct... I had problems adjusting on the motorcycle.. 

 

but between taxes and all mentioned above - - not a good idea... bring a photo instead. 

[tifino]

4 minutes ago, 1FinickyOne said:

You are going to end up driving on the wrong side of the road... I thought I would have trouble adjusting but I found 'steering wheel in the center' is much more compelling than my left/right instinct... I had problems adjusting on the motorcycle.. 

 

but between taxes and all mentioned above - - not a good idea... bring a photo instead. 

yes only the locals are expert at driving with drivers window nearest the opposite gutter... 

[mr mr]

don't listen to all the negative nancys here. they are all just jealous they can't afford such an awesome ride like you. if you can afford that dope ride then the taxes and hassle of bringing it here shouldn't be a problem for you either. 

 

giver man i got a guy in customs that can help. ????

 

 

[chickenslegs]

A lot of good information here - https://siam-shipping.com/import-car-thailand/#Permanent_Import_of_Personal_Vehicle

[scorecard]

1 hour ago, Pottinger said:

The only cost-effective way is to break it down in the US and import as parts, then re-assemble in Thailand. But even then there's no guarantee customs won't impound some or all of the parts on a pretext, or charge prohibitive duty. And that's disregarding the huge hassle involved.

Plus perhaps that could make it very complicated to the engine/chassis etc., numbers accepted in terms of getting it registered.  

[tgw]

1 hour ago, NCC1701A said:

i could be wrong but it is illegal to import used car parts. 

yes you are wrong - many used car parts are imported for repair purposes

[Surelynot]

Nightmare.....spent an age looking into this....simply not worth the hassle....even if you did get it landed I can hear the customs officials now....."What car?"

[ravip]

17 minutes ago, tgw said:

yes you are wrong - many used car parts are imported for repair purposes

Yes, many used car parts are imported for repair purposes. BUT, some countries prohibit to bring down knocked down vehicles and re-assembly.

It sort of defeats the customs procedure. Assembled vehicles are charged a higher duty than used parts - most times, if not at all times.

[Bruce Aussie Chiang Mai]

1 hour ago, ravip said:

...and using a left hand driven car in Thailand?

No problem be on same side of the road as most Thai pickup drivers.????❤????????

[tommytank]

Ha...  I knew I'd get a mixed bag of replies.  I also have a Ferrari 458 Italia in the USA but would never dream of trying to import that here.

It's cool, I can leave these cars back in the USA...

I just saw a Macan today and it got me thinking how much I miss that car.  It really is a dream to drive it.

 

I guess it's either a CX-5, Everest or Fortuner for me then.  How dull.
 

[Kwasaki]

Sell it and buy a s/h Porsche here.

[tommytank]

2 hours ago, Kwasaki said:

Sell it and buy a s/h Porsche here.

 

I refuse on principal to pay double the cost back home. 

[Kwasaki]

14 minutes ago, tommytank said:

 

I refuse on principal to pay double the cost back home. 

Up to you as we say,  as in Rome if you buy here you get what the buy and sell market is here. 

If you want try getting your car over to Thailand it may well cost triple never mind double and also there is good chance of you not getting it out of customs and not being able to send it back US. 

[ThaIrish Sean]

1 hour ago, Kwasaki said:

Up to you as we say,  as in Rome if you buy here you get what the buy and sell market is here. 

If you want try getting your car over to Thailand it may well cost triple never mind double and also there is good chance of you not getting it out of customs and not being able to send it back US. 

That all depends if the customs officer valuing the car fancies a Porsche to drive around in..... Then the value is inflated so you leave the car.