A Thai National Importing A Personal Harley

[3 year]

Folks

I work in the Middle East and want to buy a Harley to ride here. I will buy it in my wife's name.

Whats the deal if we want to send it to Thailand?

As a Brit I can import 'personal used goods' to the UK with no tax but whats the deal in Thailand for a Thai doing the same?

Cheers

[guzzi850m2]

Next to impossible to do without connections even for a Thai.

You will have to go to a 2'nd Harley shop and they can basically import any model you might want and they will also provide you with a new green book.

Expect to pay something like 1.4 mill bath in total for an almost new touring model, less for smaller models.

Sadly my Harley days are over, but have fond memories about the trips we did on ours.

[TommyTucker]

The subject of importing bikes, cars and spare parts into Thailand appears on thaivisa every week. There are hundreds if not thousands of comments and/or advice on this subject, just search through both the Bikes Forum and Cars Forum.

You say that you work in the Middle East, does your Thai wife live with you over there?

The reason for asking is as follows:

For any motor vehicle to be imported into Thailand, you require an Import Permit issued by the Thai Ministry of Commerce. The Permit MUST be issued before the said vehicle departs from the Port of Lading!

To qualify for an Import Permit your wife must amongst other things:

(1) Have owned the vehicle for at least 18 months (V5c/logbook in her name).

(2) Hold a current full driving licence (valid for that vehicle) for at least 18 months in the country where she currently lives and the country that bike is regsitered in.
(3) Have lived in that country for at least 18 months since owning that vehicle. The Thai Ministry of Commerce will physically check her passport for stamps in and out of both Thailand and the country that she is returning from.

There are other requirements but the above requirements usually prevent an Import Permit being issued.

So even if you bought the Harley this week and your Thai wife lived with you permantley in the Middle East, it would be at least 18 months to 2 years before an Import Permit would be issued.

I wont even begin to discuss Import Tax and Duties, but all I will say they will be far more that you paid for the bike in the Middle East.

Long story short, buy a Harley over here in Thailand that has all the correct and legal paperwork.

[arthurwait]

The returning Thai rule is no more. It doesn't look like the websites have been updated.

There is now no difference for foreigners and ( returning)Thais. Both have to pay the import tax.

[3 year]

Next to impossible to do without connections even for a Thai.

You will have to go to a 2'nd Harley shop and they can basically import any model you might want and they will also provide you with a new green book.

Expect to pay something like 1.4 mill bath in total for an almost new touring model, less for smaller models.

Sadly my Harley days are over, but have fond memories about the trips we did on ours.

Is that so? so what is the law / rule regards importation of personal goods? And where does the connection need to be?

I dont want to buy an imported Harley from a Thai agent, I want to import my own (er, the wife's).

[3 year]

The returning Thai rule is no more. It doesn't look like the websites have been updated.

There is now no difference for foreigners and ( returning)Thais. Both have to pay the import tax.

Matey,

Is this asumption or complete fact?

Cheers

[3 year]

The subject of importing bikes, cars and spare parts into Thailand appears on thaivisa every week. There are hundreds if not thousands of comments and/or advice on this subject, just search through both the Bikes Forum and Cars Forum.

I am sure there are but who wants to wade through 100s if not 1000s of comments?

You say that you work in the Middle East, does your Thai wife live with you over there?

The reason for asking is as follows:

Yep

For any motor vehicle to be imported into Thailand, you require an Import Permit issued by the Thai Ministry of Commerce. The Permit MUST be issued before the said vehicle departs from the Port of Lading!

To qualify for an Import Permit your wife must amongst other things:

(1) Have owned the vehicle for at least 18 months (V5c/logbook in her name).

(2) Hold a current full driving licence (valid for that vehicle) for at least 18 months in the country where she currently lives and the country that bike is regsitered in.

(3) Have lived in that country for at least 18 months since owning that vehicle. The Thai Ministry of Commerce will physically check her passport for stamps in and out of both Thailand and the country that she is returning from.

There are other requirements but the above requirements usually prevent an Import Permit being issued.

So even if you bought the Harley this week and your Thai wife lived with you permantley in the Middle East, it would be at least 18 months to 2 years before an Import Permit would be issued.

I wont even begin to discuss Import Tax and Duties, but all I will say they will be far more that you paid for the bike in the Middle East.

Long story short, buy a Harley over here in Thailand that has all the correct and legal paperwork.

but based on the post below this may now be invalid,,,

[kartman]

OP best course of action contact the Customs Department direct then you will get your answers directly, not through an expat forum .

[NanLaew]

3 year, on 07 Mar 2013 - 20:39, said:

guzzi850m2, on 07 Mar 2013 - 13:09, said:

Next to impossible to do without connections even for a Thai.

You will have to go to a 2'nd Harley shop and they can basically import any model you might want and they will also provide you with a new green book.

Expect to pay something like 1.4 mill bath in total for an almost new touring model, less for smaller models.

Sadly my Harley days are over, but have fond memories about the trips we did on ours.

Is that so? so what is the law / rule regards importation of personal goods? And where does the connection need to be?

I dont want to buy an imported Harley from a Thai agent, I want to import my own (er, the wife's).

Motorbikes and cars are not classified the same as personal goods. They may belong to you (or your wife) personally but with regard to importation, Thai Customs (and most other countries Customs) don't classify them the same as say, your wardrobe full of clothes, your CD collection, your power tools or your washing machine. If you start now, get the paperwork done as defined, you may get lucky and be able to import one in about 18 months time. At that happy moment, the inspecting Customs guy will charge import duty on what HE reckons is the market value of the machine in Thailand which will be some outlandish multi-million baht figure. Thai Customs guys really LOVE HD's and some of their buddies also have nice, fairly new, imported machines they ride at weekends.

In all my years in LOS, with buddies that owned HD's, only one guy imported. It was a tiny Sportster, cost him an arm and a leg and earned him great ridicule. Everyone else acquired their machines in the country second-hand and either got lucky and didn't have to spend too much keeping it running or they ended up with a lemon, bought a pickup truck (old joke) and supplied spare parts for their luckier mates. This was before HD realised that some people wanted to pay silly money for their new but dated products here in LOS and dealerships set themselves up.

Regardless of the breed of the bike, it is virtually impossible to get a green book for an import such are the vagaries of Thailands Land Transport Office. Without the green book, proof of ownership is wide open, carries a higher risk of theft and forget any idea of resale as most won't touch a bike without the green book. But you would probably find a local willing to take it off your hands for a 10th of its real value when you get bored with it.

[JoePai]

The subject of importing bikes, cars and spare parts into Thailand appears on thaivisa every week. There are hundreds if not thousands of comments and/or advice on this subject, just search through both the Bikes Forum and Cars Forum.

I am sure there are but who wants to wade through 100s if not 1000s of comments?

>You say that you work in the Middle East, does your Thai wife live with you over there?

The reason for asking is as follows:

Yep

For any motor vehicle to be imported into Thailand, you require an Import Permit issued by the Thai Ministry of Commerce. The Permit MUST be issued before the said vehicle departs from the Port of Lading!

To qualify for an Import Permit your wife must amongst other things:

(1) Have owned the vehicle for at least 18 months (V5c/logbook in her name).

(2) Hold a current full driving licence (valid for that vehicle) for at least 18 months in the country where she currently lives and the country that bike is regsitered in.

(3) Have lived in that country for at least 18 months since owning that vehicle. The Thai Ministry of Commerce will physically check her passport for stamps in and out of both Thailand and the country that she is returning from.

There are other requirements but the above requirements usually prevent an Import Permit being issued.

So even if you bought the Harley this week and your Thai wife lived with you permantley in the Middle East, it would be at least 18 months to 2 years before an Import Permit would be issued.

I wont even begin to discuss Import Tax and Duties, but all I will say they will be far more that you paid for the bike in the Middle East.

Long story short, buy a Harley over here in Thailand that has all the correct and legal paperwork.

but based on the post below this may now be invalid,,,

Go ahead and try then let us know how you got on

[Carib]

The official Thai customs site has lots of information...

http://www.customs.go.th/wps/wcm/connect/custen/individuals/importing+personal+vehicle/importingpersonalvehicle+

Also take a look at importing household effects.

[3 year]

OP best course of action contact the Customs Department direct then you will get your answers directly, not through an expat forum .

Yes, of course. However, we all use forums to father information as an alternative source - not just to chat about <deleted>....you know that Karman

[3 year]

3 year, on 07 Mar 2013 - 20:39, said:

guzzi850m2, on 07 Mar 2013 - 13:09, said:

Next to impossible to do without connections even for a Thai.

You will have to go to a 2'nd Harley shop and they can basically import any model you might want and they will also provide you with a new green book.

Expect to pay something like 1.4 mill bath in total for an almost new touring model, less for smaller models.

Sadly my Harley days are over, but have fond memories about the trips we did on ours.

Is that so? so what is the law / rule regards importation of personal goods? And where does the connection need to be?

I dont want to buy an imported Harley from a Thai agent, I want to import my own (er, the wife's).

Motorbikes and cars are not classified the same as personal goods. They may belong to you (or your wife) personally but with regard to importation, Thai Customs (and most other countries Customs) don't classify them the same as say, your wardrobe full of clothes, your CD collection, your power tools or your washing machine. If you start now, get the paperwork done as defined, you may get lucky and be able to import one in about 18 months time. At that happy moment, the inspecting Customs guy will charge import duty on what HE reckons is the market value of the machine in Thailand which will be some outlandish multi-million baht figure. Thai Customs guys really LOVE HD's and some of their buddies also have nice, fairly new, imported machines they ride at weekends.

In all my years in LOS, with buddies that owned HD's, only one guy imported. It was a tiny Sportster, cost him an arm and a leg and earned him great ridicule. Everyone else acquired their machines in the country second-hand and either got lucky and didn't have to spend too much keeping it running or they ended up with a lemon, bought a pickup truck (old joke) and supplied spare parts for their luckier mates. This was before HD realised that some people wanted to pay silly money for their new but dated products here in LOS and dealerships set themselves up.

Regardless of the breed of the bike, it is virtually impossible to get a green book for an import such are the vagaries of Thailands Land Transport Office. Without the green book, proof of ownership is wide open, carries a higher risk of theft and forget any idea of resale as most won't touch a bike without the green book. But you would probably find a local willing to take it off your hands for a 10th of its real value when you get bored with it.

So you dont like harley's then? hehe

I have a contact for the green book but its a massive 50-70k.

[NanLaew]

3 year, on 08 Mar 2013 - 03:40, said:

So you dont like harley's then? hehe

I have a contact for the green book but its a massive 50-70k.

I don't have a problem with Harleys, they usually come with their own problems from the factory.

You are working in the mid east, probably on good coin so go ahead and see if it is worth it. Already having to pay over the odds to get a 'legal' green book is par for the course. Price up the bike you want to import, then multiply it by 2.5 and add 2 years wait. Then, next time you are in LOS, check out a HD shop, preferably in Bangkok and not the tropical island rip-off branches, spec the same bike and see how much cheaper and quicker you will get it. There is absolutely no cache in saying, 'My Harley's imported'. Just means you paid over the odds if you are lucky enough to get the bugger off the boat.

[kartman]

OP best course of action contact the Customs Department direct then you will get your answers directly, not through an expat forum .

Yes, of course. However, we all use forums to father information as an alternative source - not just to chat about <deleted>....you know that Karman

Not just to chat about <deleted>, really

[arthurwait]

The returning Thai rule is no more. It doesn't look like the websites have been updated.

There is now no difference for foreigners and ( returning)Thais. Both have to pay the import tax.

Matey,

Is this asumption or complete fact?

Cheers

Reported in the news section at the time of you want to search for it.

[ricku]

To qualify for an Import Permit your wife must amongst other things:

(1) Have owned the vehicle for at least 18 months (V5c/logbook in her name).

(2) Hold a current full driving licence (valid for that vehicle) for at least 18 months in the country where she currently lives and the country that bike is regsitered in.

(3) Have lived in that country for at least 18 months since owning that vehicle. The Thai Ministry of Commerce will physically check her passport for stamps in and out of both Thailand and the country that she is returning from.

There are other requirements but the above requirements usually prevent an Import Permit being issued.

The ministry certainly went out of their way to cover every possible loophole. Well done, well done..

They are obviously horrified of the idea that people wants to buy vehicles from abroad.

With these ridiculous import taxes, how on earth can the average thai citizen be able to afford a car or motorcycle from abroad? Nope, they CAN'T. Not even a simple Mini Cooper.

To the ministry, all I have to say is: Godamn ***holes. I hate you with a passion.

[stevenl]

To qualify for an Import Permit your wife must amongst other things:

(1) Have owned the vehicle for at least 18 months (V5c/logbook in her name).

(2) Hold a current full driving licence (valid for that vehicle) for at least 18 months in the country where she currently lives and the country that bike is regsitered in.

(3) Have lived in that country for at least 18 months since owning that vehicle. The Thai Ministry of Commerce will physically check her passport for stamps in and out of both Thailand and the country that she is returning from.

There are other requirements but the above requirements usually prevent an Import Permit being issued.

<snip>

With these ridiculous import taxes, how on earth can the average thai citizen be able to afford a car or motorcycle from abroad? Nope, they CAN'T. Not even a simple Mini Cooper.

<snip>

Which is exactly what they want.

[culicine]

To qualify for an Import Permit your wife must amongst other things:

(1) Have owned the vehicle for at least 18 months (V5c/logbook in her name).

(2) Hold a current full driving licence (valid for that vehicle) for at least 18 months in the country where she currently lives and the country that bike is regsitered in.

(3) Have lived in that country for at least 18 months since owning that vehicle. The Thai Ministry of Commerce will physically check her passport for stamps in and out of both Thailand and the country that she is returning from.

There are other requirements but the above requirements usually prevent an Import Permit being issued.

<snip>

With these ridiculous import taxes, how on earth can the average thai citizen be able to afford a car or motorcycle from abroad? Nope, they CAN'T. Not even a simple Mini Cooper.

<snip>

Which is exactly what they want.

Otherwise how can the "hi-so" be "hi-so"....the rich need something to distinguish them from working class.....but to the average westerner they look pretty stupid having payed massive amounts of tax on a car work only a half or a third of what they paid for it.

[stevenl]

To qualify for an Import Permit your wife must amongst other things:

(1) Have owned the vehicle for at least 18 months (V5c/logbook in her name).

(2) Hold a current full driving licence (valid for that vehicle) for at least 18 months in the country where she currently lives and the country that bike is regsitered in.

(3) Have lived in that country for at least 18 months since owning that vehicle. The Thai Ministry of Commerce will physically check her passport for stamps in and out of both Thailand and the country that she is returning from.

There are other requirements but the above requirements usually prevent an Import Permit being issued.

<snip>

With these ridiculous import taxes, how on earth can the average thai citizen be able to afford a car or motorcycle from abroad? Nope, they CAN'T. Not even a simple Mini Cooper.

<snip>

Which is exactly what they want.

Otherwise how can the "hi-so" be "hi-so"....the rich need something to distinguish them from working class.....but to the average westerner they look pretty stupid having payed massive amounts of tax on a car work only a half or a third of what they paid for it.

It is worth what somebody is willing to pay for it. Comparing prices to 'back home' just makes no sense whatsoever.

[jbrain]

So you dont like harley's then? hehe

I have a contact for the green book but its a massive 50-70k.

That is extremely cheap for a LEGAL green book, since only the emission test already carries a price tag of about 30.000 Baht.

Of course there are also bogus books and plenty of "contacts " that will happily take your money but never deliver.

Read all about it on this forum.

[Trembly]

3 year, on 08 Mar 2013 - 03:40, said:

So you dont like harley's then? hehe

I have a contact for the green book but its a massive 50-70k.

I don't have a problem with Harleys, they usually come with their own problems from the factory.

You are working in the mid east, probably on good coin so go ahead and see if it is worth it. Already having to pay over the odds to get a 'legal' green book is par for the course. Price up the bike you want to import, then multiply it by 2.5 and add 2 years wait. Then, next time you are in LOS, check out a HD shop, preferably in Bangkok and not the tropical island rip-off branches, spec the same bike and see how much cheaper and quicker you will get it. There is absolutely no cache in saying, 'My Harley's imported'. Just means you paid over the odds if you are lucky enough to get the bugger off the boat.

Most sensible reply so far.

[Mudcrab]

Good luck. Police/customs order xyz last year banned the import of any used motor cycles/vehicles. It ain't possible anymore. I know I have tried asking import companies about this. I will still try and see if the rule applies to vintage Harleys though.

[kurnell]

I accidentally imported 2 motorbikes in a container of hhg several years ago. The agent didn't tell me they were coming and the customs dept were quite surprised when they opened the container. We very nearly got into a lot of trouble but after a 'fine' of 100,000 baht they got through. Never to be registered though as they were dirt bikes for a bloke with a farm.

[Langsuan Man]

Here, use this as a guide and then do a cost analysis and see if buying overseas and dealing with all the hassles is really going to save you money over purchasing legitimately here: