Buying A Car To Export From Thailand

[mp-seventythree]

Hi

I'm based in the UK, but am interested in buying a Toyota Hilux Vigo from Thailand (as they're a lot cheaper) and shipping it back to the UK. I work for UK Customs, so arranging paperwork there shouldn't be a problem......but I have no idea of any problems a farang might encounter trying to buy a car in Thailand.

Can anybody shed any light on this? Has anyone here actually done this?

I would be looking to buy a used car, probably around three years old.

Thanks

[lampard10]

Hi

I'm based in the UK, but am interested in buying a Toyota Hilux Vigo from Thailand (as they're a lot cheaper) and shipping it back to the UK. I work for UK Customs, so arranging paperwork there shouldn't be a problem......but I have no idea of any problems a farang might encounter trying to buy a car in Thailand.

Can anybody shed any light on this? Has anyone here actually done this?

I would be looking to buy a used car, probably around three years old.

Thanks

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

A three year old car here would cost twice the price it would in UK. And anyway the Vigo only came out about 6 months ago.

[terdsak_12]

Truck Export

[mp-seventythree]

Hi

I'm based in the UK, but am interested in buying a Toyota Hilux Vigo from Thailand (as they're a lot cheaper) and shipping it back to the UK. I work for UK Customs, so arranging paperwork there shouldn't be a problem......but I have no idea of any problems a farang might encounter trying to buy a car in Thailand.

Can anybody shed any light on this? Has anyone here actually done this?

I would be looking to buy a used car, probably around three years old.

Thanks

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

A three year old car here would cost twice the price it would in UK. And anyway the Vigo only came out about 6 months ago.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I was in Krabi and Bangkok a couple of weeks ago, and saw that nearly new pick-ups were a lot cheaper than in the UK - for instance I could get a 2001 model Mitsubishi Strada in Krabi for the equivalent of £7000, and the same vehicle at home (Mitsubishi 4Life or Warrior) as around £13000 for a car with a slightly lower spec. The only problem I anticipate is that Thai cars don't generally have heaters, but I believe these can be retro-fitted. And new Toyota Hilux Vigos are £9500 in Thailand compared to £20000 in the UK (and I found out that all the Vigos currently in the UK were imported from Thailand.

I have noticed that there are huge variances in the prices people are asking for used cars though, I feel that some of them are being a tad optimistic

[mp-seventythree]

Thanks for the link Terdsak, very useful info

[mickmac]

Hi go to this web site, you may find it useful:-

http://www.expatmotors.co.th/

They will sort everything out from this end for you.

[chuchok]

I don't knoew if you can do this here,but I see no reason why not.

If you buy a new car, or second hand for that matter there will be a vat component in the price.There will also be duty paid when (some)of the components have been imported. If you were to do an Duty Draw Back and had a thai reg company with an export licience, Surely you can claim this back from customs?

(This is how you are able to buy cheap secondhand European Cars from Singapore.)

I suspect this is how Expat Moters get part of their dosh???

Axel should know?

[ryanb741]

One other thing, it involves bringing cars TO LOS. There is a US car importer here in London and my wife and I are considering purchasing a HumVee and importing it to Thailand (at the least it guarantees me right of way in BKK's streets!). In the UK the fuel bills would be extortionate but in Thailand prices are much cheaper. Are there any restrictions on the types of cars you can import and would I have to pay any taxes?

BTW, replying to the original post, as a wedding present my wife's family bought us a Nissan Skyline R34 which we impotred to the UK (1500ukp shipping) plus 1500 ukp modifications to make it UK legal. The car had been imported from Japan in the first place. So it is quite easy to import into the UK

[Bicko]

See mickmac's recommendation above.

I bought a new Vigo from Andy at Expat motors in January. His service is excellent and it's worth talking to him. I ordered mine from Afghanistan and took delivery in bangkok. Not a single problem and received the car with all extras, registered, insurance , the works. He tells me that he specialises in exporting new cars to UK.