Does Anyone Know A Ligitmate Bike Importer?

[ray23]

Not a dealer an importer?

Ok they at this moment are still seizing bikes in Pattaya on a individual basis, so this may not be short term.

Ok I think this a pretty good breakdown of what it takes to import a personal vehilce. Remember this is all going to have to be done in Thai. Me I would need a reputable Thai importer to do this, Does anyone even know of one? You may also note that the tax rates are set not at what you actully paid but what they believe based on a chart what you should have paid. Freight costs not based on what you paid, but the highest rate in the past six months, That could be very high since fuel was very expensive six months ago. Also doesn't mention emission control test.

We had one post on Thai Visa that mentioned this was simple that his wife worked for company who did it all the time. We asked for the company information, havent seen anything. There are many of us who truly prefer to do things legally. If that person really has the information I wish he would provide it. The botom line this is anything but simple for someone who ha never done it before. A licensed import agent is the way to go in my mind. But first you have to find one. I checked out the Motorcycle adds in L.A. yesterday found a 2002 1600 CC Royal Star with 11k Miles on it for $3900. If there is way to do that leagally through an import company I would do that in a heart beat. 115 K baht

Permanent Import of Personal Vehicles

The Permanent Import of a Personal Vehicles into Thailand

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 +66 (0)2-2023331.

Used/secondhand vehicles

Need to obtain an import permit from the Foreign Trade Department of the Ministry of Commerce, telephone +66 (0)2-5474804. 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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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 and Freight).

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

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.

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

[LivinLOS]

I will watch this like a hawk also.. TP quoted me 80k but.. well.. its TP.. I would love to know of a firm priced, pre quoted, straight dealer who could legally do this.

I know I have seen quality Duci monster 900's with LOADs of bits go for 2k GBP, and am due back in the UK for a couple of months soon.. I could buy a toy, enjoy it, and even have it out here for afterwards (note to self, stop buying bikes !!)..

[ray23]

IS that 80K all taxes paid book in hand?

If so that would be 195K plus shipping for the bike I was looking at well worth it, if we are not talking about a grey book.

[LivinLOS]

They said so.. But I emphasize, its TP !! Stories of books coming from some bent chonburi official, stories of promised books not turning up for months, stories of import bike problems, etc etc etc..

[ray23]

Yep not an easy nut to crack.

I put the same message on six =forums maybe we will come up with something worth checking out

[Meridian007]

Ya, everything I hear about TP, would make me run screaming, I wouldn't suggest doing it there.

Ray, if you're looking to pick up a bike from the states, I've heard (on another bike forum) that Michigan is the state to look at. Their state economy has pretty much bankrupted them, so people are selling their toys accordingly.

[ray23]

TP heard the same thing