Importing Motorcycles

[Pikey]

Just joined this very useful forum as I am hoping to relocate to Thai next year. I've looked but cannot find any decent info about importing motorcycles into the Kingdom. I'm talking about a container of 5 - 6 bikes from Europe. I've heard it's a non-starter or that only parts can be imported so it's necessary to "breakdown" the vehicles, ship separately and re-assemble. Does anybody have first hand experience please?

With thanks in advance

Pikey.

[caughtintheact]

First, because Thailand mass produces motorcycles, the government prefers that they be purchased here. There are indications that you can import one for your personal use, but doubtful that you can import a bunch of them unless you are a licensed dealer with an import license.

My personal experience: About 3 years ago, a friend wanted to import an antique motorcycle. I helped him on the research (and still help him find parts). He checked all the regulations and found that he would not be able to import the motorcycle intact. Only spare parts could be imported. It is very unlikely that this has changed. The engine was not brought in through normal channels (I'll leave that statement up to you to interpret) So unless you are willing to go to the trouble of breaking up the bikes, importing all the elements as spare parts (over a long period of time) and find "creative" means of bringing in the engines, you are more likely to get involved in innumerable hassles. You can look at Import Procedures where it states "Importation of Used Automobiles and Motorcycles"

Having said this, you might be able to bring in one for your personal use, but not 5-6. You would also need permission from the Ministry of Commerce, a statement from your home country about the good condition of the bike, etc. You will have to go through customs and pay some exorbitant duty

Please contact the Office of Commercial Affairs, Royal Thai Embassy, at telephone (202) 467-6790 or by fax at (202) 429-2949 to request information on how to acquire an import permit from the Ministry of Commerce.

However, for the import duty, please fax your request including all your information stated above to (202) 944-3313.

Note: for further information, please contact the Formalities and Assessment Division, Customs Department in Thailand, at telephone (662) 249-2314 or Fax (662) 249-4213.

Source: Tax Policy Division, Fiscal Policy Office, Ministry of Finance of Thailand."

Also see Motorcycle Imports First, you MUST get a permit from the Ministry of Commerce to import the bike, otherwise it may be confiscated by officials. You must also provide a certificate from the country it is being imported from, verifying that the bike is roadworthy.

Import duty will be 60% of the value of the bike, which will be determined after consideration of its make, model, engine size, condition and other factors.

In addition, excise tax of 35% will be levied on the value of the bike PLUS the import duty.(Currently 60% regardless of engine size - see http://www.customs.go.th/Tariff/TariffCat....ord=motorcycle)

Then, 7% value-added tax will be levied on the value of the bike PLUS the import duty PLUS the excise tax.

Although there are no pamphlets with details about customs procedures for importing a motorbike, more information is available at the Thai Customs website at http://www.customs.go.th ”

Friday, August 15, 2003 Pichai Duaengdangchoti, Customs Chief Inspector 6, Chief Customs Officer Formality & Legality Division, Phuket Customs Office

(Try this one: http://www.customs.go.th/Customs-Eng/Perso...e=PersonalPer#)

About the only thing on motorcycles I could find was a search page on http://www.customs.go.th/Statistic/StatisticIndex.jsp and the word "motorcycle" just got me to the page that showed the duty rates.

Here are some other pages to look at:

http://www.customs.go.th/Customs-Eng/Perso...nalPer#eligible

(Note: Seems to apply to cars rather than motorcycles

The Harmonized System (HS) code for motorcycles is 8711. http://www.foreign-trade.com/reference/hscode.cfm?cat=14

Just came across this one:

There is a ban on the import of used motorcycles and parts

http://www.usa.or.th/services/docs/reports/ccg00-6.htm and confirmed at

http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/internet/in.../gr-92458e.html

If you look at http://www.customs.go.th/Customs-Eng/Stati...nuNme=Statistic you will see that the imports of motorcycles in 2004 to date are only about 43 million baht. In 2003 there were less than 100 million baht worth of motorcycle imports, but in 2002 there were only a little over 50 million baht in motorcycle imports, and in 2001 only 11 million baht. I cannot be certain, but I believe that parts are included.