Bringing A Bicycle To Thailand

[grahamb]

We're just preparing everything to ship out to Bangkok. Got the Non-imm visas, work permit application is going well, everything's sorted.

The movers are coming on Monday so I was just looking through the paperwork that they left us. I noticed that most things can be imported duty-free as part of our personal effects but bicycles (not motorbike) are subject to duty at 49.80% of CIF value.

Has anybody had any experience of this? How do Thai Customs value the bicycle? I've checked on their site but can't find anything. The bike isn't worth much (it's about 10years old but little used...) so I'm wondering if it's worth the hassle of bringing it at all. Do I value it myself and declare that?

Thanks for any information!

p.s. no, I'm not planning to ride it in the Bangkok streets!

[lopburi3]

Normal bike sell for about 2,000 baht so not worth any hassle IMHO.

You are aware that you need

Non-immigrant visa or resident visa valid for one year

Work Permit (original) or copy of B.O.I. Letter (to Customs) valid for one year

before you can import duty free (as you speak of visas assume your spouse is not Thai).

[grahamb]

Yes, I did know about the non-immigrant visa and work permit - that is being processed and will all be ready before our belongings arrive (we're shipping from Europe so it will take 1mth+). The removals company are focussed on that as well - I don't think they'll even export the goods from Finland before we have the work permit in place because they don't want the hassle at the other end.

Thanks for the info about the price of bikes there. Looks like someone in our current apartment block may be getting a bike for free...

[chingy_]

don't waste your time with the bike, aint worth it.

[astral]

The 2000 baht bikes will fall to pieces in a few weeks.

They are not worth the money.

Good quality Mountain bikes cost $150 upwards.

This is the better way you go if you want to keep in shape.

[GuestHouse]

I'm a very keen cyclist, used to be a professional racing cyclist in my younger days.

When I moved to Thailand in the early 90's I shipped in 5 team racing bikes with my shippment (exactly the same as you, moving in on a work permit). I paid no extra tax for my bike.

Two years ago during a trip back to the UK I met with an old friend from my racing days who offered me a mountain bike for free, he shipped it to me in Thailand at my expense and I was presented with a bill of about Bht5000 to get it out of customs. Still a bargain.

So the rule seems to be that if the bike comes into the country with your shipment you will not pay tax, if you ship it in seperately you will be taxed.

Oh and one word. Your shipping will not be one month it will be two months so be prepared to take essentials for two months with you.

if you are travelling with children bring some of their toys along in your air baggage.

[lopburi3]

The 2000 baht bikes will fall to pieces in a few weeks.

They are not worth the money.

I did not see anything about a mountains in his post.

For most people the 2k bikes work just fine and last many years. Now if I were riding it you might be right.

[Limbo]

For most people the 2k bikes work just fine and last many years. Now if I were riding it you might be right.

Absolutely right. The 2000 Baht bicycles can last very long under the condition that you don't use them and spray silicone on them. And you have to keep them hidden as well from family and neighbours. Otherwise they wouldn't last a day.

A good second hand mountainbike you can buy here for appr. 9000 Baht. A reasonable new one for about 12000 (Giant, Trek, Schwinn, Merida, Specialized with decent Shimano equipment).

Biking is 'in' in Thailand. Participating in challenges is a nice way to forget that you are a foreigner. Biker among bikers! Great atmosphere!

If you only use the 2000 Baht bike to go to the market it is ok. You can put the stuff on the back and push the bike. Don't sit on it, the pedals might break and you could end up in the hospital.

Oeksi kaksi kolme! Heja Suomi!

[Limbo]

I'm a very keen cyclist, used to be a professional racing cyclist in my younger days.

Dear Guesthouse,

Could you give me a tip when there is a challenge in Chiangmai (I thought I red somewhere that you are living there). I ride all the challenges between Maesai and Payao and I see often riders from C'mai. Would like to surprise them by showing up at the start there.

You are not the person who was teaching at Payao and who won the second price of the naughty Nam Tok Doi Phrabat race two years ago?

There is also a Dutch former professional who lives in Thailand. You know him?

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Yes, I did know about the non-immigrant visa and work permit - that is being processed and will all be ready before our belongings arrive (we're shipping from Europe so it will take 1mth+). The removals company are focussed on that as well - I don't think they'll even export the goods from Finland before we have the work permit in place because they don't want the hassle at the other end.

Thanks for the info about the price of bikes there. Looks like someone in our current apartment block may be getting a bike for free...

The free bike offer around the apatments sounds to me like the very best option. Mind you, at 10 years old, even free it ain't a real bargain. Until the work permit actually issues and you get an extended visa in Thailand prior to the goods arrival, there are no rights to import anything without the standard duties being due on arrival.

[phazey]

If you do want to buy a bicycle, i'd suggest "Pro Bike" on soi sarasin" (along side lumpini park)

good selection of medium to high end bikes - recommended.

[chanchao]

> If you do want to buy a bicycle, i'd suggest "Pro Bike" on soi sarasin"

> (along side lumpini park)

Nice shop. Also many bikes they sell cost more than your typical motorcycle. So you have to be pretty serious about biking to buy from there.

About getting bikes to Thailand: If you just bring one with you on the plane then there's no charge at all. Loads of tourists bring their bikes for a cycling holiday, AND many airlines don't charge for this!! (Same as golf bags, they often don't count this in your luggage allowance.)

I did this myself to bring my bike to Thailand. Make sure it's boxed and pedals are removed and tyres deflated. Bike made it out of the plane even before everyones bags, found it parked right next to the luggage belt.

No problems with customs either. Some customs guy called me and said "hold on sir!" so I thought 'oh shit', but then the dude just opened a bigger gate for me to easily move the bike through.. Welcome to Thailand.

Cheers,

Chanchao

[HinHam]

I bought a bike in the UK about 18mnths ago, Quantas hand carried it onto the plane, Cargo as it would not go down the con belt. It was brand new and boxed. Walked through customs with it on the bottom of the suitcase trolley, suitcases on top.

They looked but could not be bothered to stop me at Don Muang, I had the reciept on me just in case.

Forget the 2000 baht bikes if you are a serious cyclist, bring your bike and see how it goes. If it is 10yrs old tie some string on it and some old tape, they wont bother you. Probably give you a blanket price for the whole lot anyway.

LOS lighten up, welcome to Thailand.

[grahamb]

Thanks for all the answers guys. Packed up the home PC on Sunday and busy with the movers yesterday so I didn't get a chance to reply earlier.

Well, the agents in Thailand assured our movers at this end that the bike is OK if it's coming in as part of the household effects (i.e. like GuestHouse said). That was different from what the paperwork said at this end but I'm putting more trust in the agents in Bangkok! The bike is boxed and on the way...

Bringing it with us on the plane wasn't an option - we've already maxed out the luggage allowance bringing enough things for the apartment for a couple of months! The shipping company say that it will take 37 days but I know that it will take more than that!

Thanks for all the info about the local bikes as well. I'm not a serious cyclist but quite like the idea of a leisurely ride upcountry... Leisurely + Thai heat & humidity = a challenge at the start!!

[ChiangmaiJim]

Hey Grahamb, if you come up to Chiangmai then make sure you have the right gearing, there are a few challenging climbs here.

I brought a (1,500 GBP) bike here from the UK nearly 2 years ago and had no problem, I simply walked through customs with it in a bike bag.

The only problem was the gearing! 39 x 23, should have had a 26 on the back!

[Davidcharles]

Good Advice re the bikes guys......

I am coming to stay (hopefully) in the little house I have bought soon.

I am selling virtually everything I own here, in the UK, before leaving.

But I will have a couple of large suitcases, over and above my allowance......

What's the best, and cheapest, way of getting them over there?

[Up2U]

This is the sort of thing on offer at Tesco Lotus - similar products at Big C. Specialist stores give bigger choice, but not much difference in price.

Pro-bike will sell you a carbon-fibre machine with all the trimmings for 150,000 baht.

Bike 2,880.00 Baht

• 24 inch

• 12 Speed

• Model cobra

• Oversized body/ lock set

• QR alloy

• alloy wheel

• V-break

• Shimano gear set

• 0.8% interest for 6 months

[Harry Palmer]

I ride my specially imported mountain bike to & from work each day, which is a great way to keep in shape. It did cost an arm & a leg to ship it over from Europe but well worth it as I haven't found its equal over here.

Cyclists of the world unite ... Does anyone know of an cycle clubs in BKK?

[splitlid]

dont know but on the chon buri highway (near the mosques they are spending a lifetime building) i see a sort of race going on every sunday.

take a look

[Harry Palmer]

dont know but on the chon buri highway (near the mosques they are spending a lifetime building) i see a sort of race going on every sunday.

take a look

thanks old chap .... I will make some enquiries.

[footfidforfai]

Just of out interest GrahamB, which shipping company are you using. I due to moving to BKK from London next month too.

Cheers.

[grahamb]

Just of out interest GrahamB, which shipping company are you using. I due to moving to BKK from London next month too.

We're actually moving from Helsinki. At this end, it's a Finnish company, Victor Ek, who are doing it and I think it is Asian Tigers at the Bangkok end. Work is paying for the move and they're arranging it so I don't have all the details to hand - sorry!

I think they are both part of a company UTS. I'm not sure if UTS is actually a formal company or just a group of moving companies who give each other business in these international moves.

[footfidforfai]

Just of out interest GrahamB, which shipping company are you using. I due to moving to BKK from London next month too.

We're actually moving from Helsinki. At this end, it's a Finnish company, Victor Ek, who are doing it and I think it is Asian Tigers at the Bangkok end. Work is paying for the move and they're arranging it so I don't have all the details to hand - sorry!

I think they are both part of a company UTS. I'm not sure if UTS is actually a formal company or just a group of moving companies who give each other business in these international moves.

No worries, thanks mate