Will Ban On Second Hand Imports Drive Up The Price Of Imported Bikes Already In The Kingdom?

[BigBikeBKK]

Can you guys believe this country?!

Used bikes, cars and autoparts is a multi-million dollar business here in Thailand that employs thousands, not to mention all the other industries that support it. Thailand is force hundreds of SME's to close and is going to put thousands out of work. All because their customs officials are too corrupt to collect tax on current imports.

Cutting off their nose to spite their face yet again.

I've been thinking of selling my K5 and getting something newer, but not really sure what it's worth...

She's pushing 30k km but still in good shape with a ton of upgrades. What do you guys think it might be worth?

Ride On!

Tony

ps. mods - this is NOT an ad, the bike is NOT for sale, I'm just curious what it might be worth

T

[VocalNeal]

I think the price of something depends on what the buyer is willing to pay. So if you can find a buyer willing to pay a premium all well and good.

As far as I can see the new legislation does not stop the import of "new" bikes, new cars or "new" spares. But I did smile if in fact "sports cars" are not included so importing a used Porsche will be OK.

One would have to think that somehow the "used" cars,bikes,parts was somehow being used to circumvent the tax in the first place.

[strollling]

I'll swap you a fully legal CBR250 for it.

Just wait until they make this law retroactive!!

[BigBikeBKK]

I think the price of something depends on what the buyer is willing to pay. So if you can find a buyer willing to pay a premium all well and good.

As far as I can see the new legislation does not stop the import of "new" bikes, new cars or "new" spares. But I did smile if in fact "sports cars" are not included so importing a used Porsche will be OK.

One would have to think that somehow the "used" cars,bikes,parts was somehow being used to circumvent the tax in the first place.

Yes, there was an article in the Bangkok Post a while back that reported that many grey market importers import new cars but under-report their value and declare them as "used" to customs to reduce their tax liability.

No doubt the case of whiskey in the trunk and envelope of money in the glove box helped speed those cars through customs...

TiT. I'm quite confident that there will be ways to work around this new law.

Edited April 18, 2012 by BigBikeBKK

[Hili]

i wounder does this law count only for new imported bikes or also for the ones imported already but no book issued yet?

[BigBikeBKK]

i wounder does this law count only for new imported bikes or also for the ones imported already but no book issued yet?

Have to wait and see how this new law is actually "enforced" and who will "enforce" it. If the lawmakers are counting on Thai Customs to enforce this new law we can perhaps expect things to continue as they are today. The law will be on the books to make big business happy, but whether it will be enforced is anyone's guess.

[kawapower]

Lets hope it drives up 2nd hand bike prices, my Z1000 will be worth more when coming to sell!

[karlos]

GIve it a couple of months and all will be back to Norm...

[JonnyF]

Yep, typical Thai crackdown. Big headlines, big changes (until the dust settles and then back to square one).

[apetley]

Any imported bike without a legit green book has to be virtually unsellable now imho.

I won't hold my breath but maybe there will be more big bikes available from the big factories to make amends.

[JonnyF]

Funny how this latest round of talk of banning second hand imported bikes/parts came about after Honda entered the big bike market with their 30% underpowered (Jap spec), 100% overpriced cbr1000.

Yamaha, Ducati, BMW etc. all sold overpriced bikes in LOS but at least they were full spec, full power bikes. I wonder if Honda will be pressuring the Thai government to restrict the power on their rivals bikes next? In the name of emmissions and saving the environment of course.

Seems like the grey importers will go first, then maybe we'll be seeing a 125 hp Paningale? With 20kg exhausts.

Of course the most likely scenario is there will be some different snouts at the trough and things will carry on same as before. Hope so.

[nikster]

Well more bikes are being produced locally now - Kawasaki, Ducati, Honda - and maybe more. So the government takes steps to protect their business. Not really that surprising if you think about it.

What I see imported in vast quantities is used Harleys. All my Thai biker friends have them. Maybe they want to put an end to that? I imagine the reasoning is that if fewer used big bikes are imported, there'll be more incentive for bike makers to make bikes here.

Johnny - I think pressured is the wrong word. The Thai government doesn't get pressured - not by Honda or by anyone. But what happens is that there's a magical alignment of business and political interest, all-Thai, and laws get made... I don't know who owns or part-owns AP Honda but I'd be surprised if they didn't have high ranking political allies. Brothers, uncles, etc....

[BSJ]

Honda,Toyota, Nissan et al have been in the ear of the government to shut down grey imports. They tried the same in Australia but the government there left the door open a little by introducing the SSEVS (Register of Specialist and Enthusiast Vehicles). There's also RAWS to deal with.....and it is a pain in the a$$, but it is a way top get an Mits Evo or Skyline GTR in the door legally.