General

[Hog Head]

I am entering on a retirement visa and am told that I can import only 1 vehicle. The problem is that I want to bring my bike as well, and understand one way is to bring it in iparts and assembling it here.

I am concerned about obtaining registration. Is there any way to do this, IE import the frame and engine legally, pay the duty, and then try to register?

The import document could be a bit ambigious - for example Harley Davidson engine SN XXXXX which could be interperited as either just the engine, or the entire bike with that specific engine.

Any bright ideas?

[dr_Pat_Pong]

I am entering on a retirement visa and am told that I can import only 1 vehicle. The problem is that I want to bring my bike as well, and understand one way is to bring it in iparts and assembling it here.

I am concerned about obtaining registration. Is there any way to do this, IE import the frame and engine legally, pay the duty, and then try to register?

The import document could be a bit ambigious - for example Harley Davidson engine SN XXXXX which could be interperited as either just the engine, or the entire bike with that specific engine.

Any bright ideas?

Is your retirement visa an O extended for a year, or an O-A ?

[Hog Head]

Dr Pong,

I was going to raise about this in another forum, but since you ask:

I am a Canadian and have just retired now at 49. I wish to claim Canadian non-residency for tax reasons, and need to establish a residence outside of Canada.

Got married yesterday, and plan to apply for a married visa in Jan 04 when I reurn to Vancouver for a few weeks. This (and a host of other things) will get me the desired tax status in Canada.

I turn 50 in June 04 and plan to apply for the retirement visa, as I understand that the rules will cange in July 04. Note the married visa will still be good at time of application.

My belongings could come either under the Married or retirement visa. I want to bring in a car, with my house stuff, so the bike must come in bits either as excess baggage, as seperate freight, or in the container.

So:

Bring the bike in under the married visa?

Bring it in under a retirement visa, and if so whih is preferable O or OA?

Thanks for the help.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Talk to the RTCG in Vancouver. An O-A is probably best for you, if they'll be able to do it in time. The problem is you need a medical exam, and a national police clearance in Canada. Until you have an O-A visa or an O visa extended for a year in Thailand, you are unable to bring your effects into Thailand without taxes being charged. Motor vehicles are almost always subject to import taxes.

The O-A or the O visa apply to both retirement or a marriage. The only difference is the amount of income / bankings required. It is a lot less for a married person supporting a Thai.

By all means raise it in the other forum as well. Good luck.

[Hog Head]

Thanks for the visa advise and I will follow up on the OA

Back to the bike. Given that I can only bring in 1 vehicle, and I intend to use this allotment for a car, how to get the bike in?

I hear that others bring them in in parts, but how do I get it registered?

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Talk to the Consulate about your car importation. As far as I know, they'll tax you on it, and the rates are iniquitous. Look for information on the Thai Embassy web site in Washington www.thaiembdc.org

I have no idea about the bike. Here is a link to a western run motor cycle club. Its members might have some ideas, have a look and email them, you never know.

www.motorcity.net/Clubs/Asia/Thailand

[KevinN]

Here is a link to a M/C here that I know can help you.

http://www.jestersmc.com/history/history.htm

[Guest IT Manager]

FWIW another client of mine wanted to bring in a motorbike with his retirement visa. He brought it in, in pieces eventually. Three different ships, three different addressees. It sat in the Customs Shed at Bangkok for almost 6 months.

PM me if you are keen and I will ask about putting you in touch with him, so he can tell you about his nightmare.

Regarding the car, check its' Blue Book Value. The tax will be from memory 246% of blue book value. We tried to bring in a classic 1950 mv for another customer some years ago. That rate may have chnaged since then. You will need an import licence and a lot of patience. Also a full head of hair at the start will be useful. Don't plan on having it all at the end.

IT