Import personal used bicycle

[Winston Smith 007]

Can anyone share experience/knowledge importing used bicycle as checked luggage through Sousuvarnabhumi on retirement visa extensions? 

(several years in country)

Thanks!

 

[richard_smith237]

People travel all the time for triathlons etc…  this is no different…

 

We’ve brought in bicycles (for my son so a bit smaller), boxed up…

… push-chairs, child car-seats, skiis…

 

Just package it like it’s not new & you’ll be fine. 
 

 

Excess baggage etc is a different matter…. 

[gomangosteen]

Visa not relevant, I brought a road/triathlon bike in, no interest at all when I arrived. Just check on the packaging requirements - may differ by airline.

Happy cycling for you!

[Winston Smith 007]

1 hour ago, gomangosteen said:

Visa not relevant, I brought a road/triathlon bike in, no interest at all when I arrived. Just check on the packaging requirements - may differ by airline.

Happy cycling for you!

awesome thanks. 

[Winston Smith 007]

2 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

People travel all the time for triathlons etc…  this is no different…

 

We’ve brought in bicycles (for my son so a bit smaller), boxed up…

… push-chairs, child car-seats, skiis…

 

Just package it like it’s not new & you’ll be fine. 
 

 

Excess baggage etc is a different matter…. 

 

[Winston Smith 007]

thanks. have been compelled to pay tariffs or customs bonds in other countries without proof of re-export (or at least return ticket) thus the mention of visa type.

[Dust]

I brought a Specialized carbon-fiber mountain bike in a quality bike bag for the cool season one year. The bike got stuck in one of my transit countries and had to even tell baggage claim at Savarnabhumi what was in it.  The bike arrived the next day and they delivered it right to my condo making it even easier despite the initial stress of it not showing up at baggage claim initially.  

[Hanuman2547]

I brought in a used road bike in 2018 in a soft sided bike case.  No issues at all bringing it through the green channel.  

[Chomper Higgot]

I frequently take my road bike in and out of Thailand, I’ve never been stopped at customs.

 

Some tips:

 

Airlines have special reduced baggage charges for bicycles (sports equipment). -Thaiairways charges around ฿7000.

 

There are ‘packing requirements’ see airline for specifics.

 

Many airlines do not permit electric bikes to be shipped.

 

Depending on the value of your bike, consider a bike box.

 

I use a ‘Bike Box Alan’, refer below, this provides first rate protection.

 

Consider putting an Apple AirTag (or similar) in your bike bag/box.

 

Add multiple labels with your name and contact details.

 

Don’t be tempted to put non bike items in your bike box, I have been asked by airline check-in staff on two occasions to open the box for inspection. I asked and was told if there are non bike related items in the box they may re-charge at the full excess baggage charge.

 

Contact the airline well in advance of your flight to let them know you are bringing a bike with you to ensure you can load it on the aircraft

 

[Hanuman2547]

On 12/27/2022 at 10:50 PM, Chomper Higgot said:

Airlines have special reduced baggage charges for bicycles (sports equipment). -Thaiairways charges around ฿7000.

Thanks for the tip.  I usually avoid Thai Airways but this is another reason to do so.  Other international carriers have never charged me for transporting a bicycle.  I've used both soft sided and hard sided cases.  Does Thai Airways charge ฿7000 on domestic flights?

[Chomper Higgot]

33 minutes ago, Hanuman2547 said:

Thanks for the tip.  I usually avoid Thai Airways but this is another reason to do so.  Other international carriers have never charged me for transporting a bicycle.  I've used both soft sided and hard sided cases.  Does Thai Airways charge ฿7000 on domestic flights?

Sorry I don’t know, I have never put my bike on an internal flight.