Bringing A Sailboat To Thailand On A Retirement Visa

[KozureOkami]

I am contemplating sailing my sailboat to Thailand and would hope to have a retirement visa in my Passport. From the Customs webpage, this doesn't seem to be addressed. Would I be paying taxes for a personal vehicle as if I were importing a car? Seems as though the taxes in that case would be around 200% adjusted price of the vessel. If viewed as personal effects I saw a note saying type-0 are not allowed the 1 personal vehicle importation exemption for residents. Can anyone clarify this for me? Am I going to have to sale my boat instead of sailing it?

[harrry]

I am contemplating sailing my sailboat to Thailand and would hope to have a retirement visa in my Passport. From the Customs webpage, this doesn't seem to be addressed. Would I be paying taxes for a personal vehicle as if I were importing a car? Seems as though the taxes in that case would be around 200% adjusted price of the vessel. If viewed as personal effects I saw a note saying type-0 are not allowed the 1 personal vehicle importation exemption for residents. Can anyone clarify this for me? Am I going to have to sale my boat instead of sailing it?

I read that boats are duty free.

there are previous posts covering how to bring it here and on sailing forums. There are some rules about only getting a masters entry when you bring the boat and then having to leave thailand to use your ordinary visa. Also there are costs involved but not duty in getting the boat to stay permanently.

Where would you be sailing from.

[KozureOkami]

I would be sailing from Hawaii. I read on the Customs page that Temporary entry of vessels was only for 6 months which could be extended to 8. That would not suit my purpose, being on a retirement visa. I would not want to have to go foreign every six months as that would complicate my visa. All I could find on permanent entries seemed to be vehicles. Master's entry?

I read that boats are duty free.

there are previous posts covering how to bring it here and on sailing forums. There are some rules about only getting a masters entry when you bring the boat and then having to leave thailand to use your ordinary visa. Also there are costs involved but not duty in getting the boat to stay permanently.

Where would you be sailing from.

[harrry]

http://www.windowonlifestyle.com/features_...t_your_boat.htm

may help but there are more

[harrry]

Master's entry?

I read that boats are duty free.

there are previous posts covering how to bring it here and on sailing forums. There are some rules about only getting a masters entry when you bring the boat and then having to leave thailand to use your ordinary visa. Also there are costs involved but not duty in getting the boat to stay permanently.

In a sailing magazine I read online when I was looking at buying a boat and sailing it to thailand they gave the rules for entry. Apparently the crew are able to use tourist or other visas however the Master only gets a short period (I believe about a month) and must leave the country to re-enter on another form of visa. I will try to find the reference for you but I believe the company mentioned in the article I posted the link to can assist with these procedures. I am not recommending them as I have no real knowledge but I have seen reference to them.

[KozureOkami]

http://www.windowonlifestyle.com/features_...t_your_boat.htm

may help but there are more

Thanks, that looks to be just what I was looking for.

[bertlamar]

depends on type of boat a bit; smaller boats you can own outright; larger boats for personal use I think you can also own outright, but cannot be used for charter, business etc.

There really is 0% import duty; however if importing permanently, you will have to pay VAT and some inspection fees.

Also, another option is to keep the boat badged as Malaysian/American/ etc and then just ensure you take her on a cruise every 90 days to a foriegn port and back.

It really isn't a big deal; countless people sail up here.

[moskito]

to bring in a boat is easy, to keep it here forever surely not. The most sailors I know (here in Phuket) are going to Langkawi. Visarules always change here, guess for boats also like for anything or anybody else.

In the moment they think about to give Phuket a "special status", maybe after it is easier.....I personally doubt it. They talk since years about to make it more attractive for sailors here.

Trip to Langkawi (Malaysia) is not to bad, the Marinas there are better too and the service is much better, friendlier. You have to check out in Phuket (there is an office now directly at the harbor in Chalong) or in Phuket Towns Immigration. Trip to Langkawi is about a day, you can check in there directly at the Yachtclub (5min. walk) .......nice trip btw and you have to move the vessel sometimes anyway

will gather more infos if requested

one last thing I personally suggest........... STAY WHERE YOU ARE.....IN HAWAII OR check out Thailand for a year FIRST and you know what i am talking about, saves you a lot of nerves and stress

[raro]

depends on type of boat a bit; smaller boats you can own outright; larger boats for personal use I think you can also own outright, but cannot be used for charter, business etc.

There really is 0% import duty; however if importing permanently, you will have to pay VAT and some inspection fees.

Also, another option is to keep the boat badged as Malaysian/American/ etc and then just ensure you take her on a cruise every 90 days to a foriegn port and back.

It really isn't a big deal; countless people sail up here.

correct! Sailing boats are duty free, only 7% VAT applies.

[eljeque]

As above, come here for a year, NOT A FEW MONTHS, and see if you are happy or not.

Then, while here learn about improting a boat from people who have just done it or in the process of doing it rather than from THAI government websites, or from people who accomplished it a while ago.

Also, no matter how much you love your boat, look at the cost of selling it back home and buying another one here.

CUSTOMS can do whatever they want with your boat, just as they can with an imported car.

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f57/im...land-11711.html

http://www.customs.go.th/Customs-Eng/Perso...Nme=PersonalTem

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Importing-Boat-t19373.html

http://www.windowonlifestyle.com/features_...t_your_boat.htm

http://bangkok.angloinfo.com/information/42/sailing.asp

[lizardofoz]

I am contemplating sailing my sailboat to Thailand and would hope to have a retirement visa in my Passport. From the Customs webpage, this doesn't seem to be addressed. Would I be paying taxes for a personal vehicle as if I were importing a car? Seems as though the taxes in that case would be around 200% adjusted price of the vessel. If viewed as personal effects I saw a note saying type-0 are not allowed the 1 personal vehicle importation exemption for residents. Can anyone clarify this for me? Am I going to have to sale my boat instead of sailing it?

Where do you intend sailing to? Pattaya Port or Phuket? Suggest Phuket as the optimum sailing and recreation area from a yachting point of view. Also close to Langkawi Malaysia which is duty free. Importing is simple and very regimented. Customs usually refer to the internet for simiiar boats to get a value. If you have a known make the valuation will be simple and straight forward. VAT to pay plus some smaller fees + you then have to pay to have the boat registered at the Harbour Masters office ( needs to be renewed every year- small fee). You can own the boat 100% asa no commercial vessel. Your retirment visa will be accepted if you are the skipper/crew on entry so you dont have to go out and come back in again to activate. The is a exellant agent in Phuket. Porntip Logistics - owner Porntip. She speaks very good English. If you choose Pattaya / Lam Chabang Port she can also handle there even though she is Phuket based. You do not have to have any sort of specific visa to import a boat into Thailand. All you need is a address for the registration and a few other simple details. You can apply for your retirment visa in Thailand if you wish - also very simple and easy - but you need to have 800,000B in a Thailand bank account in your name for over 3 months before you apply. Retirement visa application is around 1,800B - if you want to leave and come back to Thailand frequently then you need a multiple reentry permit 3,900B. This can all be done at the Phuket Town Immigration office if you come to Phuket. There a volenteer western helpers at immigration for assistance filling the forms out. A few photo copys etc of all documents plus a letter from your bank that the money is in the account is all you need.

A simple answer to all your questions ::: IT IS ALL A VERY SIMPLE PROCESS.

Certainly look at www.windowsonlifestyle.com for related information on importing and also visa applications.

I have been involved in importing about 7 yachts so far all managed by Porntip Logistics for import.

I have lived in Phuket for around 13 years - own a boat and imported it when they relaxed the regulations. Have never regretted doing that!

[phuketrichard]

Hey;

A good american friend of mine has his sailing boat here in Cambodia and loves it. He had it in thailand for a long time.

I suggest u contact him thur his website, http://www.sailcambodia.info/. His name is Rony and a great source of info on sailing from Hawaii ( he is from there). Tell him Richard gave ya the link. I was just with him today in Shinoukville.

AS far as Cambodia goes u can bring it in free and stay as long as u like, You pay about $250 /year for a 1 year multiple entry visa. no hasslesd although there are NO boat yards for sailing boats or palces to keep it but he loves it here.

but you need to have 800,000B in a Thailand bank account in your name for over 3 months before you apply. Retirement visa application is around 1,800B

for ur 1st retirment EXTENSION; u need show 800,000 for 2 months not three and the application is 1,900 BUT u need a non immigrant visa easliy obtained in Hawaii 1st. then u apply for the extension BEFORE the visa expires.

[CrossBones]

I am contemplating sailing my sailboat to Thailand and would hope to have a retirement visa in my Passport. From the Customs webpage, this doesn't seem to be addressed. Would I be paying taxes for a personal vehicle as if I were importing a car? Seems as though the taxes in that case would be around 200% adjusted price of the vessel. If viewed as personal effects I saw a note saying type-0 are not allowed the 1 personal vehicle importation exemption for residents. Can anyone clarify this for me? Am I going to have to sale my boat instead of sailing it?

.

Make sure you bring a catamaran or trimaran seeing as there is hardly any wind on either coast

[jumnien]

I imported a motorboat from the US last year and it was very easy and cheap to do so.

[KozureOkami]

Where do you intend sailing to? Pattaya Port or Phuket?

I would be going to Pattaya. I am still looking at options as I might actually be there with a work permit in Chomburi. Do you know anything about slip rates at Ocean Marina? I sent them an email but never got an answer.

Thanks to all for the replies.

[DougF]

Where do you intend sailing to? Pattaya Port or Phuket?

I would be going to Pattaya. I am still looking at options as I might actually be there with a work permit in Chomburi. Do you know anything about slip rates at Ocean Marina? I sent them an email but never got an answer.

Thanks to all for the replies.

Hi,

I don't know for sure about the rates but I have heard that they are quite expensive for what you get. I have met a few folks who are trying to sell their condos there because they are not happy with the management.

On the other side of the coin, I have heard that many boats at the slips are for sale due to the downturn of the economy. Maybe that will affect the slip fees positively. Although many Thais don't seem to understand that by lowering fees they can make more money in the long run. They tend to raise fees and squeeze people hard. Which is what I have been hearing about the Phoenix Golf course just down the road from the marina.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Fair winds and following seas,

Doug

[lizardofoz]

Where do you intend sailing to? Pattaya Port or Phuket?

I would be going to Pattaya. I am still looking at options as I might actually be there with a work permit in Chomburi. Do you know anything about slip rates at Ocean Marina? I sent them an email but never got an answer.

Thanks to all for the replies.

Ocean Marina is off the planet expensive. They are still full and busy so are not inclined to give discounts or it seems not bothered to answer your email.

If you are going to Pattaya you would be best to import as it is to far to sail to Malaysia from there. Yes to the required 800,000B in the bank I thought 3 months ahead. If you cant afford that you shouldnt be on a retirement visa. You need to declare you boat for import at the time of arrival and not check it in and then ask. For the record in Phuket I obtained a retirement visa with only a 30 day on entry stamp but I didnt come in by ship. It is most important that you have either a "O" or a "B" type visa before arrival by yacht and I recommend you use a agent and book it all up ahead with the agent before you arrive.

I cant see how you could have a work permit before you arrive as you need to apply in the country from what I am aware. Rarely would they issue one without seeing you first and a lot of forms signed.

What sort of boat do you have?

[HakimKlunker]

Hi. My company is making boats directly at ocean marina. It is true that they run a high price policy. They can do so because it is the only suitable marina around.

The price for travel-lift is about 320 US$ (11449 ThaiBaht). Wet berthings are rare but at present the marina expands. There is also dry storage available.

We pay for a Catamaran berthing (two slots) 17900 Tb monthly. Some boats have permanent moorings outside but there is no weather protection from the West and so this arrangement better should be safe. The bay here is shallow and (not often) some unkind waves build up.

Marina costs here are indeed higher, but on the land-side the price level is definitely lower than Phuket and for a long stay it becomes more interesting. And don't expect that over in Phuket they do NOT try to strip you from cash...

My personal experience from Phuket is that there is not much solidarity to expect even from our own skin colour. Ahead of them all: Phuket Lee Marine and Phuket Yacht Pro.

If you want to see lots of pretty sailing places, Phuket has surely more to offer; but here we also have a couple of nice places.

Cheers: Hakim Andreas

[KozureOkami]

Ocean Marina is off the planet expensive. They are still full and busy so are not inclined to give discounts or it seems not bothered to answer your email.

If you are going to Pattaya you would be best to import as it is to far to sail to Malaysia from there. Yes to the required 800,000B in the bank I thought 3 months ahead. If you cant afford that you shouldnt be on a retirement visa. You need to declare you boat for import at the time of arrival and not check it in and then ask. For the record in Phuket I obtained a retirement visa with only a 30 day on entry stamp but I didnt come in by ship. It is most important that you have either a "O" or a "B" type visa before arrival by yacht and I recommend you use a agent and book it all up ahead with the agent before you arrive.

I cant see how you could have a work permit before you arrive as you need to apply in the country from what I am aware. Rarely would they issue one without seeing you first and a lot of forms signed.

What sort of boat do you have?

That's disappointing to hear regarding Ocean Marina. The work permit idea is only a gem of an idea forming, though I will be sending a resume to the company shortly. Besides that I can afford the retirement visa or already have documents for an education visa. I would love to sail to Thailand but if I have to get realistic maybe someone will buy my CAL 2-30.

[KozureOkami]

Wow, that is expensive even for Hawaii, though I'm sure they probably set rates for travellift (and slips) depending upon the length of your boat.

[KozureOkami]

Wow, that is expensive even for Hawaii, though I'm sure they probably set rates for travellift (and slips) depending upon the length of your boat.

My friend in Bangkok has spoken with Ocean Marina and confirmed the incredibly high prices. 14000 baht a month for a 30 ft. boat. But, that's immaterial as there are no slips available.

[KozureOkami]

Hi. My company is making boats directly at ocean marina. It is true that they run a high price policy. They can do so because it is the only suitable marina around.

Do you make Catamarans at Ocean Marina? I am making a foam cored, epoxy laminated, Ian Ferrier design, trimaran here in Hawaii. Are you there on a work permit?