Import Used Car Question

[hansje1980]

Hi, I'm aware of the current situation regarding importing used cars to Thailand.

I bought a car in the UK, a used Jaguar from an official and respected Jaguar dealer from 2005. I bought it for 2000 pounds.

If I'd want to import this to Thailand I would not mind to pay 300% tax of its value at all. However Thai customs just comes up with a random number howmuch the car is worth. If they want they can easily say the car is worth a billion Baht basically. My question is, if I go to the police station in the UK as well as a notary with my car receipt from the dealer to prevent Thai customs of saying the receipt might be a forged one. Will this help in terms of not having to guess the value of the used car?

I mean, there must be some legit way of showing they simply can't "guess" anymore right?

Thanks for any help and please don't come with pay money under the table crap as I know many people working at customs as well as officers and even generals in Thailand who actually wanna help me out for free without paying any tax. But that's not what. I WANT to pay the tax but only on my terms with a certified and real receipt showing the price I paid for it.

Thanks.

[Spoonman]

They passed a law a few months back banning the import of cars and bikes.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/548685-thai-cabinet-approves-ban-on-imports-of-used-vehicles/

[hansje1980]

I thought they were still discussing that. Like new cars only and possibly disallow used...

[endure]

The job of the police in the UK is to catch criminals (allegedly). They will have no interest and will not notarise receipts for anything you have purchased.

[hansje1980]

They are willing to do that if you ask politely. I've done this before, and never costed me anything either.

Anyhow, back on topic please, I only have 1 question which is not about a stamp from the police :s

[thaicbr]

They are willing to do that if you ask politely. I've done this before, and never costed me anything either.

Anyhow, back on topic please, I only have 1 question which is not about a stamp from the police :s

Bring it in and see what happens.... don't forget your import licence.

[anon210]

They are willing to do that if you ask politely. I've done this before, and never costed me anything either.

Anyhow, back on topic please, I only have 1 question which is not about a stamp from the police :s

Bring it in and see what happens.... don't forget your import licence.

I think that trying to affix a legitimate value to an used car will not help. The customs always function with the suspicion that once imported, you will be reselling your car, and being aware of the high prices of second hand stuff, obviously, they will want to make the transaction uninteresting for you.

[Spoonman]

They are willing to do that if you ask politely. I've done this before, and never costed me anything either.

Anyhow, back on topic please, I only have 1 question which is not about a stamp from the police :s

Bring it in and see what happens.... don't forget your import licence.

I think that trying to affix a legitimate value to an used car will not help. The customs always function with the suspicion that once imported, you will be reselling your car, and being aware of the high prices of second hand stuff, obviously, they will want to make the transaction uninteresting for you.

I thought the import tax was based on the price of the vehicle when new and then on a sliding scale reduced according to how old it is.

[CWMcMurray]

You also have to understand that that standard for customs value is not necessarily "what you paid for the car" it is "fair market value"

Normally what you actually paid for an item and the fair market value are pretty close, so customs does not have any issues, but they always reserve the right to revalue the goods for customs purposes if they feel that the declared value is less than the fair market value

Also as others have mentioned you will be required to apply for special import permit prior to cargo arrival. If you do not receive import permit prior to arrival of your car, customs will impose a penalty and you will still need to apply for the import permit.

Also, as per customs regulations, if goods are not cleared within 75 days, goods are subject to seizure by customs. Given this, the penalty & storage charges, highly recommend getting the import permit first, as if problems or delays with import permit.. The clock is running once goods arrive

[Jitar]

Import Duty can be based on the CIF value but it can also be based on a value calculated from the goods value in Thailand.

Documentation to prove the original cost overseas will not help if Thai customs do not agree.

If they believe the CIF value is low, they can assign a valuation based on the goods value in Thailand.

There is information on the Thai customs web site on this but if you are serious, check with a customs agent.

The first issue to clarify is the ban on used car imports. The ban was supposed to include sedans but exclude some other vehicle types.

If your Jag is an XJS you might have a chance, if you feel lucky?

Saw a nice looking Jag XJ Series 1 cruising along Rd 7 earlier this week.

[Crossy]

If it were that easy then there would be a lot more imported vehicles on the roads here.

Thai customs WILL make it prohibitively expensive and you may well lose the vehicle if a customs officer takes a fancy to it.

If you have money to burn then go for it and let us know how you get on.

[hansje1980]

Thank you for all your replies, I'll see what I can do with all your info

[ThaidDown]

If it were that easy then there would be a lot more imported vehicles on the roads here.

Thai customs WILL make it prohibitively expensive and you may well lose the vehicle if a customs officer takes a fancy to it.

If you have money to burn then go for it and let us know how you get on.

Spot on, there would be thriving Thai run businesses importing used cars, especially from Japan where 2-3 year cars are cheap due to their stringent 'MOT' requirements.

To the OP, suggest the best thing to do is get a large photo of your car made, pour yourself a cold beer, sit in front of the photo, extend arms as if holding a steering wheel, move arms and say out loud....

vroom vrooom and imagine you are driving it.

[steelepulse]

How much is the same model going for on talarod and one2car? Find that price, then multiply that number by a number greater than one, and voila, that's the price you're going to have to pay.