Import My Motorbike

[Charly2008]

Hi

I have an old BMW motorbike with 800 ccm back in Germany and would like to import it to Thailand just for private use. The bike is almost 20 years old and is amounting to 500 EUR according to an opinion of an expert (from Germany in German).

I stay here in Thailand since 2 years and hold a work permit.

Any ideas or experiences if it is possible and how to do?

Have a nice day,

Charly

[xbusman]

Charly, up at the top of this screen, you are going to find a "SEARCH" button. Click on it and enter "import motorcycle" in the box. Now search and you will find some 14,132 posts which will clearly tell you in each and every case:

DONT DO IT!

Mods, please pin.

That is all.

[Charly2008]

Hi xbusman,

thanks for your reply. Actually I should have searched before I posted.

Anyway now I know it will just chause a lot of troubles and nobody know how much I need to pay for it. So I keep my bike back home and look perhaps here for another one.

thanks again

[xbusman]

Charly, good on ya. You have the good sense not to present the same arguments as the last 100 posters who were sure to get it done. Lots of motorcycles for sale in Thailand from big to small, plenty to choose from and most have all the work done.

Now, because you are new and have good sense.

You should consider only buying a motorcycle with a green book. Also, if its bigger than 200 ccs, do your best to make sure it is not stolen and the green book is valid.

Some great roads in Thailand, have fun.

[Charly2008]

xbusman, perhaps I will look for any BMW GS, but therefore I need to go to BKK. I checked already online if I can find something, but now easy.

Anyway, perhaps if I come next time to BKK, there are some dealers.

[submaniac]

Hi

I have an old BMW motorbike with 800 ccm back in Germany and would like to import it to Thailand just for private use. The bike is almost 20 years old and is amounting to 500 EUR according to an opinion of an expert (from Germany in German).

I stay here in Thailand since 2 years and hold a work permit.

Any ideas or experiences if it is possible and how to do?

Have a nice day,

Charly

Ummm...yeah, I'd have to go with xbusman on importing a motorcycle. It has been asked many many times, and usually the same general answer that it is not worth it. The problem is that you pay some 200%+ IN ADDITION to the cost of your bike and shipping it for customs duty. The shipping is expensive, the tax is expensive...but on the plus side, if the customs official sees your bike on the shipping dock-->he may decide to KEEP IT for himself. Bikes here are cheap, and it would be cheaper to just buy here than import your own.

Now the only proviso I would add...though, is that you write your bike is nearly 20 years old. I really do not know if 'classic status' changes anything in terms of import duty and registration. Most of the discussion on import has been on fairly new bikes and for sure you will get screwed on that because customs basis the import duty on the cost of a NEW bike. I do not know if there are any 'exceptions' for importing a classic bike 20 years or older, and if there are MAYBE wait until it is 20 years old and then try importing them. Of course keep in mind, I do not know if any exceptions due to age actually exist, but I know in the states if a bike is 20 years old it does not have to meet DOT specs and can be imported for road use. Does anyone know if Thailand have any exception for classic bikes?

[KhunAussie52]

Having read the act that covers the importation of bikes.The rules state if the bike or car are over 10 years old then there is not duty,this is not to say that there are no taxes,yet a friend imported his 30 year old holden pickup to Thailand,there were no problems with taxes on the vehicle,only those levied by the agent for the paperwork.

A copy of the act is attached.

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A PERMANENT IMPORT OF PERSONAL VEHICLES

New vehicles of all types not yet registered abroad are allowed to be imported without applying for an import permit from the Ministry of Commerce. However, for the vehicles with the weight less than 3500 Kgs., an importer needs to obtain an import permit from the Industrial Standard Institute, telephone number 02-2023331.

Used/secondhand vehicles need to obtain an import permit from the Foreign Trade Department of the Ministry of Commerce, telephone 02-5474804. For the vehicles with the weight less than 3500 Kgs., an importer needs to obtain an import permit from the Industrial Standard Institute as well.

Warning...

For the importation of used/secondhand vehicles, an importer needs to obtain an import permit from the Foreign Trade Department of the Ministry of Commerce before the arrival of the vehicles; otherwise he/she shall be liable to a fine equal to 10 percent of the price of vehicle but not less than 1,000 Thai Baht, or exceeding 20,000 Thai Baht.

Criteria for a Permanent Import of Used/Secondhand Vehicles

[1]

An importer is eligible to import only ONE used/ secondhand vehicles for personal use.

[2]

In case where the importer is a nonresident, he/she is required to stay in Thailand for at least ONE year and present a non-immigrant visa issued by the Immigration Bureau, the National Police Office together with a work permit issued by the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare at the time of importation.

[3]

In case where an importer is a Thai resident marrying a foreigner, he/she is required to present documentary evidence of marriage and proof of changing residence to Thailand. Also the importer has to own and possess the imported vehicle for at least one and a half year while staying abroad, from the date of transferring the ownership to the date of arrival into Thailand.

[4]

In case where an importer is a Thai resident, he/she is allowed to import a vehicle only when such vehicle is accompanied the owner on the change of residence and he/she has owned and possessed the imported vehicle together with the valid driving license for at least one and a half year while staying abroad.

Documentation

[1]

General Documentation:

•

An Import Goods Declaration and 3 duplicates;

•

A Bill of Lading or Air Waybill;

•

Proof of vehicle purchase (if any);

•

A Release Order (Kor Sor Kor 100/1);

•

An insurance premium invoice; and

•

Other relevant documents (if any) e.g. a power of attorney.

[2]

Additional Documentation for the used/secondhand personal vehicles:

•

A House Certificate and an Identification Card;

•

A passport in case of changing residence;

•

A Vehicle Registration Certificate indicating that the imported vehicle was used abroad;

•

An import permit from the Foreign Trade Department of the Ministry of Commerce

Import Clearance Procedures

[1]

An importer/agent submits an Import Goods Declaration together with all supporting documents to the Customs office/house at the port of entry;

[2]

Customs verifies the documents, allocates a Goods Declaration number and calculates liable taxes and duties;

[3]

The importer/agent pays liable taxes and duties at a Cashier Office; and

[4]

The importer/agent presents the receipt issued by the Cashier Office to a Customs Inspection Office to bring the imported vehicles from Customs custody.

Tax and Duty Assessment:

The Customs value of the imported vehicles is determined on the basis of the CIF value (Cost & Insurance & Freight).

[1]

Customs Value

•

Purchase prices of new vehicles imported or exported by an authorized dealer.

•

If the purchase price in 4.1.1 is not available, the price listed in the Parkers Car Price Guide, Japanese Car and What Car ?

•

Costs of any modification or improvement of parts or accessories done on the vehicle are also taken into account.

•

In case where the vehicle is damaged by any incidents other than normal use e.g car accidents, fire, etc. the price of the vehicle is discounted as appropriate.

•

The Customs value for used/secondhand vehicles is discounted according to the registration period as shown in the given table below:

Discount Rates for Used/Secondhand Vehicles

1

Registration Period

Not exceeding

-

2 months

But not exceeding

-

-

2.5 % Discount

2

Registration Period

Exceeding

-

2 months

But not exceeding

-

4 months

5 % Discount

3

Registration Period

Exceeding

-

4 months

But not exceeding

-

6 months

7.5 % Discount

4

Registration Period

Exceeding

-

6 months

But not exceeding

-

8 months

10 % Discount

5

Registration Period

Exceeding

-

8 months

But not exceeding

-

10 months

12.50 % Discount

6

Registration Period

Exceeding

-

10 months

But not exceeding

1 year

-

15.00 % Discount

7

Registration Period

Exceeding

1 year

-

But not exceeding

1 year

2 months

16.67 % Discount

8

Registration Period

Exceeding

1 year

2 months

But not exceeding

1 year

4 months

18.33 % Discount

9

Registration Period

Exceeding

1 year

4 months

But not exceeding

1 year

6 months

20.00 % Discount

10

Registration Period

Exceeding

1 year

6 months

But not exceeding

1 year

8 months

21.67 % Discount

11

Registration Period

Exceeding

1 year

8 months

But not exceeding

1 year

10 months

23.33 % Discount

12

Registration Period

Exceeding

1 year

10 months

But not exceeding

2 years

-

25.00 % Discount

13

Registration Period

Exceeding

2 years

-

But not exceeding

2 years

2 months

26.67 % Discount

14

Registration Period

Exceeding

2 years

2 months

But not exceeding

2 years

4 months

28.33 % Discount

15

Registration Period

Exceeding

2 years

4 months

But not exceeding

2 years

6 months

30.00 % Discount

16

Registration Period

Exceeding

2 years

6 months

But not exceeding

2 years

8 months

31.67 % Discount

17

Registration Period

Exceeding

2 years

8 months

But not exceeding

2 years

10 months

33.33 % Discount

18

Registration Period

Exceeding

2 years

10 months

But not exceeding

3 years

-

35.00 % Discount

19

Registration Period

Exceeding

3 years

-

But not exceeding

3 years

2 months

36.67 % Discount

20

Registration Period

Exceeding

3 years

2 months

But not exceeding

3 years

4 months

38.33 % Discount

21

Registration Period

Exceeding

3 years

4 months

But not exceeding

3 years

6 months

40.00 % Discount

22

Registration Period

Exceeding

3 years

6 months

But not exceeding

3 years

8 months

41.67 % Discount

23

Registration Period

Exceeding

3 years

8 months

But not exceeding

3 years

10 months

43.33 % Discount

24

Registration Period

Exceeding

3 years

10 months

But not exceeding

4 years

-

45.00 % Discount

25

Registration Period

Exceeding

4 years

-

But not exceeding

4 years

2 months

46.67 % Discount

26

Registration Period

Exceeding

4 years

2 months

But not exceeding

4 years

4 months

48.33 % Discount

27

Registration Period

Exceeding

4 years

4 months

But not exceeding

4 years

6 months

50.00 % Discount

28

Registration Period

Exceeding

4 years

6 months

But not exceeding

4 years

8 months

51.67 % Discount

29

Registration Period

Exceeding

4 years

8 months

But not exceeding

4 years

10 months

53.33 % Discount

30

Registration Period

Exceeding

4 years

10 months

But not exceeding

5 years

-

55.00 % Discount

31

Registration Period

Exceeding

5 years

-

But not exceeding

5 years

2 months

55.83 % Discount

32

Registration Period

Exceeding

5 years

2 months

But not exceeding

5 years

4 months

56.67 % Discount

33

Registration Period

Exceeding

5 years

4 months

But not exceeding

5 years

6 months

57.50 % Discount

34

Registration Period

Exceeding

5 years

6 months

But not exceeding

5 years

8 months

58.33 % Discount

35

Registration Period

Exceeding

5 years

8 months

But not exceeding

5 years

10 months

59.17 % Discount

36

Registration Period

Exceeding

5 years

10 months

But not exceeding

6 years

-

60.00 % Discount

37

Registration Period

Exceeding

6 years

-

But not exceeding

6 years

2 months

60.50 % Discount

38

Registration Period

Exceeding

6 years

2 months

But not exceeding

6 years

4 months

61.00 % Discount

39

Registration Period

Exceeding

6 years

4 months

But not exceeding

6 years

6 months

61.50 % Discount

40

Registration Period

Exceeding

6 years

6 months

But not exceeding

6 years

8 months

62.00 % Discount

41

Registration Period

Exceeding

6 years

8 months

But not exceeding

6 years

10 months

62.50 % Discount

42

Registration Period

Exceeding

6 years

10 months

But not exceeding

7 years

-

63.00 % Discount

43

Registration Period

Exceeding

7 years

-

But not exceeding

7 years

2 months

63.50 % Discount

44

Registration Period

Exceeding

7 years

2 months

But not exceeding

7 years

4 months

64.00 % Discount

45

Registration Period

Exceeding

7 years

4 months

But not exceeding

7 years

6 months

64.50 % Discount

46

Registration Period

Exceeding

7 years

6 months

But not exceeding

7 years

8 months

65.00 % Discount

47

Registration Period

Exceeding

7 years

8 months

But not exceeding

7 years

10 months

65.50 % Discount

48

Registration Period

Exceeding

7 years

10 months

But not exceeding

8 years

-

66.00 % Discount

49

Registration Period

Exceeding

8 years

-

But not exceeding

8 years

2 months

66.33 % Discount

50

Registration Period

Exceeding

8 years

2 months

But not exceeding

8 years

4 months

66.67 % Discount

51

Registration Period

Exceeding

8 years

4 months

But not exceeding

8 years

6 months

67.00 % Discount

52

Registration Period

Exceeding

8 years

6 months

But not exceeding

8 years

8 months

67.33 % Discount

53

Registration Period

Exceeding

8 years

8 months

But not exceeding

8 years

10 months

67.67 % Discount

54

Registration Period

Exceeding

8 years

10 months

But not exceeding

9 years

-

68.00 % Discount

55

Registration Period

Exceeding

9 years

-

But not exceeding

9 years

2 months

68.33 % Discount

56

Registration Period

Exceeding

9 years

2 months

But not exceeding

9 years

4 months

68.67 % Discount

57

Registration Period

Exceeding

9 years

4 months

But not exceeding

9 years

6 months

69.00 % Discount

58

Registration Period

Exceeding

9 years

6 months

But not exceeding

9 years

8 months

69.33 % Discount

59

Registration Period

Exceeding

9 years

8 months

But not exceeding

9 years

10 months

69.67 % Discount

60

Registration Period

Exceeding

9 years

10 months

But not exceeding

10 years

-

70.00 % Discount

61

Registration Period

Exceeding

10 years

-

-

-

-

According to a condition of vehicle

[2]

Insurance

•

In case where the cost of insurance is paid before the arrival of a vehicle, the actual cost of insurance is applied.

•

In case where the cost of insurance in 4.2.1 is not available, the cost of insurance is calculated at 1% of the FOB value.

[3]

Transport Cost

•

In case where the latest transport cost of an authorized dealer is available, such cost is applied.

•

In case where the transport cost in 4.3.1 is not available, the transport cost indicated in the Customs Code of Practices is applied e.g. the higher transport cost of the same make and model vehicle within 6 preceding months, etc.

•

In case where the transport costs in 4.3.1 and 4.3.2 are not available, the transport cost is calculated at 10% of FOB value.

Table of Tax and Duty Rates

Type of Vehicles

Cylinder Capacity

Duty (%)

Excise Tax (%) (Multiplier)

Interior Tax (%)*

VAT

(%)

Total (%)

Personal Vehicle including passenger vehicle with not more than 10 seats

- Not exceeding 2000 cc. and not more than 220 horse power

80

30

(0.4477612)

10

7

187.47

- 2001 cc. but not exceeding 2500 cc. with not more than 220 horse power

80

35

(0.5691057)

10

7

213.171

- 2501 cc. or but not exceeding 3000 cc. with not more than 220 horse power

80

40

(0.7142857)

10

7

243.94

- Exceeding 3000 cc. or more than 220 horse power

80

50

(1.1111111)

10

7

328

* Interior tax is calculated at 10% of excise tax.

Example Calculation of Taxes and Duties

CIF value of the imported vehicle and applicable taxes and duties are as follows:

* CIF value of the import

= 100 Thai Baht

* Import duty

= 80 %

* Excise tax

= 35 %

* Interior tax

= 10 % of excise tax

* VAT

= 7 %

The total import duties and taxes imposed on this import are calculated as follows:

1. Import duty

= (CIF value * Rate of import duty)

= (100 * 0.8)

= 80 Thai Baht

2. Excise tax = (CIF value + import duty) * {Rate of excise tax/1-(1.1 * Rate of excise tax)}

= (100+80) * {0.35/1-(1.1*0.35)}

= 180 * 0.5691057

= 102.439 Thai Baht

3. Interior tax = Excise tax * Rate of interior tax

= 102.439 * 0.1

= 102.439 Thai Baht

4. Base VAT = (CIF value+ Import duty+ Excise tax + Interior tax)

= (100 + 80 + 102.439 + 10.2439)

= 292.6829 Thai Baht

5. VAT = Base VAT * VAT Rate

= 292.6829 *0.07

= 20.4878 Thai Baht

Total taxes and duties = 1 + 2 + 3 + 5 = 213.171 Thai Baht

Additional Information

Type of Vehicles

Cylinder Capacity

Duty (%)

Total (%)

Motor Vehicle (Tariff Heading 87.03)

- Not exceeding 2000 cc.

80

188

- 2001 cc. but not exceeding 2500 cc.

80

213

- 2501 cc. or but not exceeding 3000 cc.

80

244

- More than 3001 cc.

80

328

Motorcycle

(Tariff Heading 87.11)

60

77.04

Electric Motorcycle

60

72

Electric Bicycle

60

72

Remarks

1. The total taxes and duties of a motor vehicle and motorcycle = Customs duty + excise tax + interior tax + 7% of VAT

2. The total taxes and duties of electric motorcycle and electric bicycle = Customs duty + 7% of VAT

3. The importation of used/secondhand motor vehicles and motorcycle requires an import permit from the Foreign Trade Department prior to the importation. For more information, please contact ? 02-5474804.

Important Notice

This leaflet is not a legal document. It is a guide to current policy only. No decisions on payment of Customs duties and taxes can be made on the vehicle until the vehicle arrives at the port of clearance and all relevant information is given to the Thai Customs Department.

Best view with IE 5.0 or higher at 800x600 pixel and text size medium

[KhunAussie52]

this is the customs web site.................!

http://www.customs.go.th/Customs-Eng/Perso...PersonalPer#tax

[sensei]

Does the word LINK mean anything to you?

Goodness! Have mercy on us!

[KhunAussie52]

Does the word LINK mean anything to you?

Goodness! Have mercy on us!

You dont have to be rude,senior member or not!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[soihok]

Interesting stuff U D 52.

Do you have any idea which countries "market value" of a bike the goverment will base the tax on?

I have a ten year old bike here in Singapore that is worthless(almost). The market value is very low . However the bike is worth three times as much in the UK.

Cheers

[sensei]

Does the word LINK mean anything to you?

Goodness! Have mercy on us!

You dont have to be rude,senior member or not!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You like spaces a little too much.

That post was ridiculously long.

Welcome to the World Wide Web!

Edited February 17, 2008 by sensei