Importing vehicles

[overherebc]

Was there ever a time when it was a simple process to bring a vehicle into Thailand?

If there was, when did it end ?

Discussion last night but no-one could come up with an answer.

[cumgranosalum]

Importing vehicles over a certain size was often simply banned - the current duties of about 300% are in act a liberalisation of former restrictions.

Remember too that te car market in Thailand up until the 1980s was diminutive.

[overherebc]

Any idea when those figures came into effect. we reckoned it would have been 90's but no-one really knew.

About 2001 or 2002, can't remember exactly I was quoted well over 300% on a 3 litre and from memory it was based on the price of a new model of the car, at the time, not the value of the 2nd hand model I had. Obviously I just sold the car at home and bought a car here.

[mike324]

Back couple of years mid to late 2000s, students were allowed to bring back used cars, but taxes were still high. It was actually not a difficult process but many were discourage in fears of corrupt customs. I heard of friends friend bring it in without any problems, some had connections to speed up the process.. Grey market dealers exploited this loop hole until it got closed. I believe that was probably the easiest time.

Same goes for the time with importing half assembled cars, assembling it here and getting it re titled.

[Rdrokit]

I do think at one time a car was included as household goods and could be imported when you moved to Thailand but that was a long time ago. Probably in the 80s. Up until a few years ago a Thai who owned a car for at least 2 years outside the country could import it but as another poster has said the rich Thai students going to college outside of Thailand were taking advantage of this rule.

[Aussieroaming]

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