Old Story New Coat; Car Import

[Edwin Buurman]

We are a mixed couple Thai/Dutch officially Married and already living for 9 years as a couple on Phuket, we have one daughter born in Thailand with dual nationality.

Due to family reasons, we will return to Belgium, where I had my last residency (for over 20 years) before I moved to Thailand and where my wife officially stayed a few times and months during our courtship period.

In Belgium my wife can officially reside, in our case, legally without the need for integration test. We plan now to buy two new cars on arrival in April next year (2013) and use them ourselves during our stay in Europe. In case off my wife a Range Rover Evoque 4WD RHD and for me personally a Jaguar XJ (LWB) RHD. After staying in Europe for approximately 15 months (one full school year plus holiday periods on an International school for my daughter to "taste" Dutch, intensifying relation with Grandma and family from daddy's side) we plan to return "home" and ship our cars with us to Thailand and officially import them into Thailand. This with the intention to keep them driving ourselves her after this relocation back to Thailand.

I try to attach two screen prints. One with states that my Wife can officially reside in Belgium and one from an official Thai government site which states that duty free import is allowed in case like described above.

Please give me comments. I want to prevent "bobby traps" or disasters. A lot off money at stake for us.

[arthurwait]

Wasn't this rule scrapped ? If not a Thai can only import one car on this rule or would one be done under your daughters name assuming she is legally old enough to drive and own a car in Belgium and Thailand.

Otherwise buy new and get it imported through an agency and pay the tax. It maybe better buying new not knowing what value would be put on a secondhand Evoque.

Or buy a secondhand one here, there's bound to be someone who bought one that couldn't really afford it.

[submaniac]

The Thai "import one car without paying customs duty" has been scrapped. Or else I would have a Hummer H2 in Thailand.

[Sophon]

I don't think you will have much luck with your plan.

From http://www.customs.go.th:

IMPORTING USED / SECONDHAND HOUSEHOLD EFFECTS

Returning Thai residents who have been abroad for one year or longer, for the purposes other than touring are eligible to bring in household effects acquired abroad free of taxes and duties. In addition, nonresidents changing their residence to Thailand may import the household effects subject to the conditions stated below without payment of import taxes duties.

The term “household effects” includes all goods which are normally necessary to equip a self-contained home e.g. furniture, carpets, books, musical instruments, paintings, tableware, stereos, linens, and similar household furnishings, etc. To be eligible for tax and duty free allowance, the importers are required to have owned, possessed, and used the household effects before they return to Thailand to resume residence. It is important that the importers meet the three requirements of ownership, possession, and use. For example, if they owned and possessed the goods without using them, the goods would be subject to regular taxes and duties. Personal effects accompanied with the owner traveling into or out of Thailand, including any goods used or will be used commercially are not eligible as household effects and cannot brought in tax and duty free as the household effects. NOTE: Motor vehicles, alcoholic beverages and tobacco are excluded from this relief.

Sophon

[arthurwait]

The Thai "import one car without paying customs duty" has been scrapped. Or else I would have a Hummer H2 in Thailand.

Get a Thai rung.

Remove body.

Get some large cardboard boxes or a small shipping container.

Cut some square window holes.

Paint it yellow, white or black.

Stick it on the chassis.

Get some naff jewellery and bad taste in music.

You have a hummer.

[Fgis]

Would be interesting to know how much more than selling and buying a new car in Thailand it will cost you...

(also don't forget all the unplaned problems)

[astral]

Moved to appropriate forum

[JoeW]

How about buying those 2 cars in Belgium, drive them for 15 months and sell them back to the garage before returning to Thailand?

I don't really see the benefits of importing those 2 cars from Belgium to Thailand.

[funcat]

I think leasing is the best option...

[monty]

And the steering wheel will be on the wrong side as well.

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[JoeW]

He will buy a RHD so it will be on the good side for Thailand

[WarpSpeed]

I think leasing is the best option...

Yep, we have a winner! Gets my vote..

[monty]

He will buy a RHD so it will be on the good side for Thailand

Oops, missed that...

But, then he'll be driving with the steering wheel on the wrong side in Europe...

Took my Belgian car to the UK once for a short trip and it was not an enjoyable experience...

Later trips just rented when I went there!

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[JoeW]

Yeah same I took my Belgian Opel to the UK and it was not a pleasant experience