Mobility scooters.

[overherebc]

Does anyone have any knowledge of import tax liability on a folding electric mobility scooter bought from UK and delivered to Thailand.

Edited August 30, 2021 by overherebc

[Cake Monster]

I am no expert on this subject, but probably the Importing of this Item would be cost prohibitive.

Maybe its best you look locally for a similar thing at " Facino " 

[overherebc]

21 minutes ago, Cake Monster said:

I am no expert on this subject, but probably the Importing of this Item would be cost prohibitive.

Maybe its best you look locally for a similar thing at " Facino " 

Those are not mobility scooters by the way. Those are road small bikes. Not what I'm askng about.

[overherebc]

3 minutes ago, overherebc said:

Those are not mobility scooters by the way. Those are road small bikes. Not what I'm askng about.

This is a mobility scooter.

[KannikaP]

1 hour ago, overherebc said:

This is a mobility scooter.

To use on the pavement?

[overherebc]

1 hour ago, KannikaP said:

To use on the pavement?

Do yoy mean uk style pavement or usa style pavement??

[overherebc]

2 hours ago, KannikaP said:

To use on the pavement?

Does pavement use affect tax liability??

[Cake Monster]

You will find it vey difficult indeed to use any of these machines on the pavements / sidewalks in Thailand .

The Pavements are in a very poor state, and blocked with commercial crud from Restaurants and other outlets.

[Chris.B]

6 minutes ago, Cake Monster said:

You will find it vey difficult indeed to use any of these machines on the pavements / sidewalks in Thailand .

The Pavements are in a very poor state, and blocked with commercial crud from Restaurants and other outlets.

+ lamp posts, signposts and other utilities paraphernalia. Then there is the broken manhole covers and high kerbs!

[Chris.B]

Here are some mobility scooters:

 

https://www.lazada.co.th//products/i1148182019-s2678304886.html?spm=a2o4m.cart.0.0.3f666108AonNBn&urlFlag=true

 

https://www.lazada.co.th/shop/synergy-wheelchair/?spm=a2o4m.pdp_revamp.seller.1.46cd5fe98W1zSW&itemId=1148182019&channelSource=pdp

 

https://www.cruisemate-thailand.com/

 

 

[Crossy]

@colinneil is your man for all things mobility scooter related.

 

[overherebc]

2 hours ago, Chris.B said:

+ lamp posts, signposts and other utilities paraphernalia. Then there is the broken manhole covers and high kerbs!

Next time we can manage to get to uk I was thinking of buying one there. We will probably end up doing 6/6 months so the question asked was really to find out if it was brought to Thailand would it have any reduced tax situation as it is for those who are physically challenged in the leg/spine department.

I really wouldn't want to use it here on the sidewalks/pavement .

[Chris.B]

17 hours ago, Crossy said:

@colinneil is your man for all things mobility scooter related.

 

Why is that?

[Chris.B]

15 hours ago, overherebc said:

Next time we can manage to get to uk I was thinking of buying one there. We will probably end up doing 6/6 months so the question asked was really to find out if it was brought to Thailand would it have any reduced tax situation as it is for those who are physically challenged in the leg/spine department.

I really wouldn't want to use it here on the sidewalks/pavement .

Sorry, it is the opposite. Wheelchairs and mobility have high duty imposed on them by Thailand. However, if travel with one to Thailand, you should be able to get away without paying the tax.

 

[Doctor Tom]

On 8/30/2021 at 7:09 PM, KannikaP said:

To use on the pavement?

What pavement? More than half of this country doesn't have anything remotely equivalent to a UK pavement or a US sidewalk 

[overherebc]

55 minutes ago, Chris.B said:

Sorry, it is the opposite. Wheelchairs and mobility have high duty imposed on them by Thailand. However, if travel with one to Thailand, you should be able to get away without paying the tax.

 

Nice to see Thailands concern for the aged and infirm extends to tax penalties as well.

[Crossy]

1 hour ago, Chris.B said:

Why is that?

 

He uses one as a paraplegic. I'm surprised he's not responded actually.

 

[Old Croc]

16 hours ago, overherebc said:

Next time we can manage to get to uk I was thinking of buying one there. We will probably end up doing 6/6 months so the question asked was really to find out if it was brought to Thailand would it have any reduced tax situation as it is for those who are physically challenged in the leg/spine department.

I really wouldn't want to use it here on the sidewalks/pavement .

Thailand doesn't have much consideration for the disabled whether with  facilities, access and equity, reduced government charges or even common curtesy by much of the populous. Most buildings have flights of steps to put them above floodwaters, preventing access by the disabled.  Ramps are few and far between. Finding a disabled toilet can become a nightmare.

However, you can drive an un-registered electric scooter under 500kw legally on the roads. (If you dare!)  Footpaths are largely obstacle courses, but can be used when available.  Some shops will allow access, depending on the person in charge.

For imports, Customs duty will be levied, but the rate  will probably be determined depending on what they think they can get. I have just purchased a large off road mobility scooter direct from the factory in China and it was imported by road. Any duty (or other payment) was included in the delivery costs so I can't really help with a figure.

 Virtually all wheelchairs and scooters are made in China and rebranded in countries like England, US and Australia. Although they may have tax concessions, markups are still huge. There are several distributors in Thailand if you plan to buy here.

[VocalNeal]

17 hours ago, overherebc said:

Next time we can manage to get to uk I was thinking of buying one there.

Check in as oversized luggage and ride it through customs here?

[Chris.B]

4 minutes ago, Crossy said:

 

He uses one as a paraplegic. I'm surprised he's not responded actually.

 

...and you assume other posters participating here are not disabled so not qualified to offer their advice?

[Crossy]

2 minutes ago, Chris.B said:

...and you assume other posters participating here are not disabled so not qualified to offer their advice?

 

Absolutely no assumption of that, I know he is a user and an active board member.

 

Are you a user, can you assist our OP?

[overherebc]

Just now, VocalNeal said:

Check in as oversized luggage and ride it through customs here?

That's what I'm thinking. On return, whenever that is depending on covid variants/quarantine/full NBC kit/ etc, I will most likely be on a holiday visa with return ticket etc so it officially won't be being imported.

[Chris.B]

14 minutes ago, VocalNeal said:

Check in as oversized luggage and ride it through customs here?

You will need to write to the airline stating your intention of travelling with your scooter. They will then ask details of weight, dimensions and what type of batteries. When you receive the airline's agreement keep a copy with your passport.

 

You will need to stress it is a mobility aid needed because of your lack of mobility due to age/infirmity/being disabled.

 

Edited September 1, 2021 by Chris.B

[overherebc]

34 minutes ago, Chris.B said:

You will need to write to the airline stating your intention of travelling with your scooter. They will then ask details of weight, dimensions and what type of batteries. When you receive the airline's agreement keep a copy with your passport.

 

You will need to stress it is a mobility aid needed because of your lack of mobility due to age/infirmity/being disabled.

 

The vast majority of them are classed as airline friendly. They want the the batteries out of the scooter when it arrives onboard and scooter and batteries kept apart during flight.

Edited September 1, 2021 by overherebc

[Chris.B]

2 minutes ago, overherebc said:

The vast majority of them are classed as airline friendly.

Who classifies them? The scooter manufacturer or the airline?

[overherebc]

13 minutes ago, Chris.B said:

Who classifies them? The scooter manufacturer or the airline?

The batteries are what the airline looks at. Depends on the constituents of the batteries.  Let's face it without batteries it's just a wheelchair.

[overherebc]

42 minutes ago, overherebc said:

The batteries are what the airline looks at. Depends on the constituents of the batteries.  Let's face it without batteries it's just a wheelchair.

Generally airlines allow max 1 battery 300w or 2 max 160 each.

[Chris.B]

8 minutes ago, overherebc said:

Generally airlines allow max 1 battery 300w or 2 max 160 each.

Mobility scooter batteries are described in terms of their Voltage and Ah (capacity). Never heard of a battery being described by wattage.

 

The airline will want to know if the batteries are sealed lead acid type which I understand all are nowadays.

 

[overherebc]

3 minutes ago, Chris.B said:

Mobility scooter batteries are described in terms of their Voltage and Ah (capacity). Never heard of a battery being described by wattage.

 

The airline will want to know if the batteries are sealed lead acid type which I understand all are nowadays.

 

300 ah or two at 160 . I doubt very much if lead acid batteries are use in these nowadays.

That would defeat the point of them being lightweight.

 

Edited September 1, 2021 by overherebc

[Chris.B]

You clearly know nothing about mobility scooter batteries yet post as if you do.

 

I shall withdraw from this senseless discussion as evidently you know it all.