Why has the grey market for big bike registration situation suddenly changed overnight, effectively ending all competition to the official importer and forcing the small independent shops out of business?

A bike can be legally imported by a company with the necessary license(s), all taxes and duties paid, emissions tests passed, and yet the sole bureaucrat responsible for processing the registration documents in Bangkok refuses to sign. This is not a question of under declaring the value or other illegal moves, and no reason is given for the refusal to process the registration documents

There is no problem with getting a legally imported grey market car registered, but not a Harley Davidson. A skeptical rider would question how and why the situation changed when it is a legal process. A less disillusioned rider would simply conclude that this is part of the official importers plan to double sales in the next 4 years as reported by the Bangkok Post last month. Either way the rider suffers due to lack of competition and model choice.

^^

please give us the details.

if you are importing a 0 km bike, it is legal - of course with lots of tax which will make it more expensive than the same model available here.

but importing a used bike is not which is same for many countries in this world to protect their products and market.

Specifically Harley Davidsons can no longer be registered and as I say all legally done

The problem is getting the bureaucrat to sign off on the registration papers which makes one wonder why.

Specifically Harley Davidsons can no longer be registered and as I say all legally done

The problem is getting the bureaucrat to sign off on the registration papers which makes one wonder why.

Really easy to guess why!

The Importers new 100 million Baht building, or the C word

The Importers new 100 million Baht building, or the C word

Both. The guy not signing is a Cxxt.

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I am pretty sure the paperwork isn't all finished. But it's an easy fix!

The documents are all in order.

It is not a great leap to conclude that paperwork is one reason that approval is not forthcoming

Might it be that only one importer is allowed to import one specific product, whether it's a Hardley, a keg of beer or a tin of peas?

I know for alcoholic beverages that was the case, maybe it's the same for all products?

No, these companies have the proper licenses to import new motorcycles and have been doing so for years.

To me it's such A headache.Imjust go to Harley Davidson of Bangkok.Not the cheapest choice but no hassle.

The most established grey market importers Such as Manot in chonburi can no longer bring in NEW HDs,, Thats been stopped but low mileage secondhand ones and other makes , BMW,Ducati, MV , and jap superbikes etc are still coming in and getting registered , New bikes are now restricted to Main Importers but quality used machines are not but it is a diminshed business mainly due to Commercial pressure from manufactures and the availability of reasonable priced new bikes only the old hands are still in it .

My info is related to HD only and I understand that import has not been stopped and there is no new law prohibiting import of new HD's. The bureaucrat is refusing to sign the registration document

I see lots of new bikes on HD-playground and they are able to get plates.

Specifically Harley Davidsons can no longer be registered and as I say all legally done

The problem is getting the bureaucrat to sign off on the registration papers which makes one wonder why.

Pay him more than the official importers and there won't be a problem.

Did you just arrive in Thailand last night?

There are only new rules for the import of secondhand / used motorcycles. It's now-a-day not possible to import a secondhand / used motorcycle into Thailand with some special permit (very hard to get permit, as only one person in whole Thailand can sign and issue the permit).

The problem with lots of the so-called grey market motorcycles in Thailand is that they often are imported without a import permit. While you are able to pay tax and import duties for a motorcycle without import permit you will have a hard time to get a motorcycle without import permit legally register.

The new set of import regulations are not new they where introduced about a year ago, they start effect the market now because most grey market import companies run out of import permits. It has nothing to do with Harley-Davidson with the exception that Harley's are more often imported secondhand...

Once again, the bikes in question were legally imported with the necessary permits

One would think that someone has been paid not to sign the registration documents

Just pay a few mototaxi guys to duff him up as a warning ... the Thai way!

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Once again, the bikes in question were legally imported with the necessary permits

One would think that someone has been paid not to sign the registration documents

Someone was, by Harley. There is a new official dealer in Bangkok, who raised heck about all the grey imports and regular imports coming in. Story a couple of months back.

HD USA via Official importers in Thailand and HONDA have lobbied and put in legal attempts to block imports of NEW bikes citing AFTA rules and copyright ,,,there has been no official ruling by Thai Gov only guidelines but customs are wary and with AFTA next year , things have to be clarified and thats a 2 edged sword

as for import permits its true that at present only one senior person can legally sign import permits at present ,one guy retired last year and another died ,,,, But the old established grey importers say its only a temporary hiccup and also AFTA rules will actually be in their favour next year for second hand trading .

They dont seem unduly concerned thats for sure . Remember this is Thailand , they always find a way to accomodate things and follow the money trail legal import permits and customs invoices were always the stumbling block for grey market vehicles , under AFTA the free trade off goods will have more legal guidance oversight from other countries and Thai bureacrats or politicians who meddle will actually , be legally sanctioned .

Also one of the largest gray importers is actively trying to set up Legal importation and distribution network of New bike brands not currently in Thailand such as MotoGuzzi,Apprillia , MV and others ,,, thats a way to protect and expand his business interests .

Afta in 2015 will have more benefits , look at BMW setting up production here this year , triumph will be able to break out of the BOI leash once AFTA begins so locally made bike prices should fall more models will appear from the jap majors and parts producers in thailand are also expanding their ranges to aid the 40% minimum content rule ,

less doom and gloom roll on the good times for big bikes

The most established grey market importers Such as Manot in chonburi can no longer bring in NEW HDs,, Thats been stopped ...

Well this guy seems to disagree: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/704139-steel-cowgirls/?p=7431662

HD USA via Official importers in Thailand and HONDA have lobbied and put in legal attempts to block imports of NEW bikes citing AFTA rules and copyright ,,,there has been no official ruling by Thai Gov only guidelines but customs are wary and with AFTA next year , things have to be clarified and thats a 2 edged sword

as for import permits its true that at present only one senior person can legally sign import permits at present ,one guy retired last year and another died ,,,, But the old established grey importers say its only a temporary hiccup and also AFTA rules will actually be in their favour next year for second hand trading .

They dont seem unduly concerned thats for sure . Remember this is Thailand , they always find a way to accomodate things and follow the money trail legal import permits and customs invoices were always the stumbling block for grey market vehicles , under AFTA the free trade off goods will have more legal guidance oversight from other countries and Thai bureacrats or politicians who meddle will actually , be legally sanctioned .

Also one of the largest gray importers is actively trying to set up Legal importation and distribution network of New bike brands not currently in Thailand such as MotoGuzzi,Apprillia , MV and others ,,, thats a way to protect and expand his business interests .

Afta in 2015 will have more benefits , look at BMW setting up production here this year , triumph will be able to break out of the BOI leash once AFTA begins so locally made bike prices should fall more models will appear from the jap majors and parts producers in thailand are also expanding their ranges to aid the 40% minimum content rule ,

less doom and gloom roll on the good times for big bikes

first of all, thanks for the valuable insight.

how will triumph break out of BOI?

and how much cheaper?

what AFTA will bring us exactly?

please more info! thanks

The most established grey market importers Such as Manot in chonburi can no longer bring in NEW HDs,, Thats been stopped ...

Well this guy seems to disagree: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/704139-steel-cowgirls/?p=7431662

We've seen many bike companies come and go practice due diligence.

yankee 99

I think i clarified that in my second post after chatting with a grey car importer I know , HD and Honda and some premium Car manufacturers have applied and lobbied for restrictions on New bikes/cars imports , but actually there is no law that precludes Non authorised dealers importing new bikes on the books ,,, its a snake pit of confusion but alot of Lawyers and Accountants and businessmen are poring over AFTA laws for 2015 , many import restrictions and tariff barriers have to be lifted , if one country such as Thailand makes a law or bureaucratic procedure that does not comply with Afta there will be reciprocative actions from other Afta partners

II2 AFTA is complex but in a nutshell will mean that many current tariffs ,trade barriers , restrictions and aggreements have to end .

The BOI will not be able to levy export taxes on Triumph selling bikes MADE in thailand in Thailand ,,,so prices of triumphs made in thailand will fall by about 40% bonneville 890 would be about same price as Monster 795 450k , but triumph will have to sort out the Thai distributer who wants to keep the brand HISO exclusive as that is another issue , but ducati managed to break out of a similar distribution deal when they wanted to expand here , Its only a matter of time ,, the new triumph plant in India will have a capacity of 300,000 bike s a year growing to 500,000 , 250s and possibly 350 models to come and triumph has spare capacity at thai assembly plant too which can assemble more big bike models so more imported triumphs from made up from UK Hinkley kits but with 40% local content easily done ,will also be a likely move .....

that would make Speed triple about 25=30% cheaper too

I have been in the Hnckley factory and they make many parts there including the bulk of the engines but in then parts warehouse , bits from UK japan, Taiwan,China ,Thailand , France ,italy ,germany await the assembly process and its the same in the Thai plant ,