Sending cars back to Europe

[carljc]

This is my first post here, but was hoping someone would have had experience in sending vehicles back to Europe and maybe know of a reliable company to do such thing.

The cars are sentimental to myself and wife, one is a 68 Mustang and the other is a 1969 Ford Escort, I would like to know from anyone that has had experience of sending classic cars back to the UK from thailand without been ripped off. Suggestions on shipping companies, we are located in Bang Saen so not too far from Pattaya or Bangkok. We are looking for a company that will try to ship as safely as possible due to both the rarity and condition of both vehicles.

Regards,

Carl

[wilcopops]

my first thought is that Laem Chabang is FULL of shipping agents.....you might have a wander around there and check out some offices.

[carljc]

I'll take a drive there in the morning to get a price, thanks for the advice, never sent a car out of thailand before, only the other way round.

[Langsuan Man]

You had better check with UK Customs and determine exactly how their import laws work. Not worth the trouble to pay for a shipper only to find out that you cannot bring the vehicle into a country because of emissions or other laws / restrictions

[wilcopops]

You had better check with UK Customs and determine exactly how their import laws work. Not worth the trouble to pay for a shipper only to find out that you cannot bring the vehicle into a country because of emissions or other laws / restrictions

there are restrictions on vehicles brought into UK - in essence they need to pass the MoT Test.

however as "classic" cars the duties etc are likely to be slightly different.

Importing from US the key date was that the vehicle had to be 31 years old or more to avoid most of the duties. Whether or not this is still the case I don't know.

I've toys with the idea of shipping my pick up back....but as it is quite new and lacking in things like a heater and has off road mods, i fear/know i would have to do a lot of work on the thing which would negate any price advantages.

however the OP is talking about "classic" cars" and both appear to be over that age limit.

here's a checklist for bringiging in your own car......

You don't have to pay duty or VAT on the vehicle provided you meet all these conditions:

• you are moving your normal home to the UK
• you have had your normal home outside the EU for a continuous period of at least 12 months
• you have possessed and used the vehicle for at least 6 months outside the EU
• you didn't get the vehicle under a duty/tax-free scheme
• you're going to keep the vehicle for your personal use for at least 12 months after it's imported

...and the govt web site.......Overview.

https://www.gov.uk/importing-vehicles-into-the-uk/overview

i guess you will need someone in Thailand who could prepare the vehicles for import into UK and secondly tackle to paperwork. They could be in UK ?

Edited August 5, 2014 by wilcopops

[geezer2]

I'll take a drive there in the morning to get a price, thanks for the advice, never sent a car out of thailand before, only the other way round.

Hi..you have brought a car/cars into thailand??

[kartman]

I'll take a drive there in the morning to get a price, thanks for the advice, never sent a car out of thailand before, only the other way round.

Hi..you have brought a car/cars into thailand??

Have you ever thought the import rules may not have always been the same as currently.

[jaapfries]

I have a very reliable Shipping Expert in Pattaya. He is 1/2 Thai - 1/2 German and speaks fluent English as well. This young man really knows his stuff and he is meticulous. Just drop me a PM on ThaiVisa and I'll give you his contact information.

[wilcopops]

I'll take a drive there in the morning to get a price, thanks for the advice, never sent a car out of thailand before, only the other way round.

Hi..you have brought a car/cars into thailand??

Have you ever thought the import rules may not have always been the same as currently.

I'm not sure about this comment....what are you getting at?

As far as I'm aware the IMPORT laws regarding private cars in Thailand haven't changed.....there is a possibility they may change with the influence of ASEAN, but for permanent importation they are ultra restrictive due to very hight tariffs, duties and taxes which can put 300% on the valuation of the car.

[VocalNeal]

Schenker? The house moving division.

[Lancashirelad]

OP do please keep us all updated on this one.

[JesseFrank]

I'll take a drive there in the morning to get a price, thanks for the advice, never sent a car out of thailand before, only the other way round.

Hi..you have brought a car/cars into thailand??

Have you ever thought the import rules may not have always been the same as currently.

I'm not sure about this comment....what are you getting at?

As far as I'm aware the IMPORT laws regarding private cars in Thailand haven't changed.....there is a possibility they may change with the influence of ASEAN, but for permanent importation they are ultra restrictive due to very hight tariffs, duties and taxes which can put 300% on the valuation of the car.

Classic cars have a much lower import duty, so probably it were the cars the OP now want to send back, that he imported in the first place

[WarpSpeed]

I'll take a drive there in the morning to get a price, thanks for the advice, never sent a car out of thailand before, only the other way round.

Hi..you have brought a car/cars into thailand??

Have you ever thought the import rules may not have always been the same as currently.

I'm not sure about this comment....what are you getting at?

As far as I'm aware the IMPORT laws regarding private cars in Thailand haven't changed.....there is a possibility they may change with the influence of ASEAN, but for permanent importation they are ultra restrictive due to very hight tariffs, duties and taxes which can put 300% on the valuation of the car.

What I read of both Kartmans post and the OP is that cars he may have imported in the past pre-date any current regulation changes you are trying to apply to the past regulations. Hope that clears up the confusion.

OP, US regs do not require exhaust and other standards on cars over 25 years old for import, maybe likely UK is the same way. I say that because here we also have a TV show called Wheeler Dealers which is produced in the UK and they bring in and restore older model cars internationally on a regular basis so it can't be that strict.

There is a new burgeoning business here on this: Check out this article I read and drooled over the other day..

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/first-nissan-skyline-gtr-imported-110000881.html;_ylt=AwrBTzrC8.hTPk8AFbZXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTEzMTFkMG5rBHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDMQRjb2xvA2JmMQR2dGlkA1ZJUDQ2Nl8x

[carljc]

hanges you are trying to apply to the past regulations. Hope that clears up the confusion.

OP, US regs do not require exhaust and other standards on cars over 25 years old for import, maybe likely UK is the same way. I say that because here we also have a TV show called Wheeler Dealers which is produced in the UK and they bring in and restore older model cars internationally on a regular basis so it can't be that strict.

There is a new burgeoning business here on this: Check out this article I read and drooled over the other day..

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/first-nissan-skyline-gtr-imported-110000881.html;_ylt=AwrBTzrC8.hTPk8AFbZXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTEzMTFkMG5rBHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDMQRjb2xvA2JmMQR2dGlkA1ZJUDQ2Nl8x

The good news, the mustang was deemed a classic, so only 5% vat for import duty, the escort on the other hand was subject to 10% import duty and vat at 20%, thats no big problem as I have a receipt for the car and it only cost us 50,000 bhat. I'm starting to think this could be a good business over in the UK as there are many MK1's available all over the place for less than 100,000 and with them selling on ebay uk for 300,000 plus, 1,000,000 for the mexico or 400,000 for any two doors with or without the engine.

[WarpSpeed]

On Wheeler Dealers a few days ago they refurbished an Escort he imported from down under, it was late night though and honestly I can't remember the entire story (numbers etc.) but he did resell it and rather quickly for a decent profit as I recall. BTW your numbers are all in baht and not pounds correct?

[Overandout]

hanges you are trying to apply to the past regulations. Hope that clears up the confusion.

OP, US regs do not require exhaust and other standards on cars over 25 years old for import, maybe likely UK is the same way. I say that because here we also have a TV show called Wheeler Dealers which is produced in the UK and they bring in and restore older model cars internationally on a regular basis so it can't be that strict.

There is a new burgeoning business here on this: Check out this article I read and drooled over the other day..

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/first-nissan-skyline-gtr-imported-110000881.html;_ylt=AwrBTzrC8.hTPk8AFbZXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTEzMTFkMG5rBHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDMQRjb2xvA2JmMQR2dGlkA1ZJUDQ2Nl8x

The good news, the mustang was deemed a classic, so only 5% vat for import duty, the escort on the other hand was subject to 10% import duty and vat at 20%, thats no big problem as I have a receipt for the car and it only cost us 50,000 bhat. I'm starting to think this could be a good business over in the UK as there are many MK1's available all over the place for less than 100,000 and with them selling on ebay uk for 300,000 plus, 1,000,000 for the mexico or 400,000 for any two doors with or without the engine.

Every time I see a Mk1 Escort here I can't help thinking of how much it would be worth in the UK.

They are fetching stupid prices now as you say.