WarpSpeed Posted January 1, 2016 Share Posted January 1, 2016 Hi guys, Some things have changed recently and I'm now investigating the thought of returning to Thailand and in the process bringing over a used 20' enclosed auto carrier filled with our personal items and some tools instead of a cargo container with the goal obviously of using it to transport a race car and equipment to events and was wondering if anyone had any ideas on that possibility? Would I be able to get it registered in your opinion? Or would it just become a storage container? Can't see really why that would happen and I have ideas of how to go around that we're it to end up being the case but TiT and would rather have it on the up and up. Also looking at nice used Carravelle to tow and support it with at the track, they are well appointed and have engines no smaller then a 2.8 V6 for the most part so they could tow with care. But I see them all listed with blue letter plates, that designates passenger van yes? Which is a no no for a foreign driver I understand and if so? Can the registration be changed to black letters for personal use? I can't see why not but again TiT. Serious questions, so serious input please? Any thoughts on taxes or/and duties too on a trailer that will be likely several years old and obviously not motorized of any kind? No reason to believe it won't be equal to or better then Thai regs but if so we can quite easily bring it up to the regs as required. I've searched but can;t really find anything that adresses this specific situation and no luck at the Land Transport site but maybe I just don't know where to look? Regards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Mega Posted January 1, 2016 Share Posted January 1, 2016 As long as all the import docs are in order and all relevant fees and taxes are paid I cannot see any reason why you would not get it registered. Getting a licence to drive it though is another matter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lampang2 Posted January 1, 2016 Share Posted January 1, 2016 Blue plates and foreign driver should be no problem. Just says it's 7+ seats for tax reasons. The way I understand it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lampang2 Posted January 1, 2016 Share Posted January 1, 2016 You are free to change to black plates also. Again, to my understanding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jitar Posted January 1, 2016 Share Posted January 1, 2016 (edited) Can change the plates. We have done the same for pickups. Importing a trailer should be OK as long as the car carrier does not fall into a strange tax category. There is a web site somewhere with the Tariff categories. We have imported truck semi trailers and other heavy equipment and duty is usually in the 10 to 15% range. Not sure what the regs are on light trailers. Mods for axle loads, lights and brakes are usually OK but you might want to check if there are any restrictions on draw-bar, overall length etc. These can vary between countries. You will need a good Freight Forwarder, we used Wisma for the last lot and they were fine. Good luck with customs. Edited January 1, 2016 by Jitar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace of Pop Posted January 1, 2016 Share Posted January 1, 2016 Nice to see You back at last[emoji106] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KhunBENQ Posted January 1, 2016 Share Posted January 1, 2016 (edited) Blue plates and foreign driver should be no problem. Just says it's 7+ seats for tax reasons. The way I understand it. Seems correct. I searched for the driving license classes on misc Thai websites. To my surprise I found that there are these four major categories: 1) up to 3.5 tons, up to 20 (!) passengers 2) more than 3.5 tons and/or more than 20 passengers 3) for towing other vehicles 4) transporting dangerous goods As I just found that (first time I see this descriptions) use with reservation. (maybe type 4 is an add-on) Edited January 1, 2016 by KhunBENQ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarpSpeed Posted January 1, 2016 Author Share Posted January 1, 2016 (edited) Ok guys thanks for the replies so far, The vans we're considering are like 10 seats as I think about it, but really only 7 or 8 max because I don't pack people in like Thai's do and really there will never be that many passengers only my family and maybe one or 2 others on occasion for a total of 7 and at least 2 seats don't even have belts, they are bench seats that face backwards so they are no go's in my mind for passengers while traveling, merely for sitting and conversing while track side or something discussing strategy or why the cars handling sucks so bad. Here's one of the trailers of interest hope you can open the link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/8-5-x-20-Car-Hauler-Enclosed-Cargo-Trailer-complete-package-with-A-C/141863921348?_trksid=p2141725.c100338.m3726&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20150313114020%26meid%3D078344a968e64a7ca5c85e7b552c506a%26pid%3D100338%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D30%26sd%3D321960863332 Van of interest: http://www.taladrod.com/w30/iCar/CarDet.aspx?cid=1604086 So in the end is it even necessary to change them does that limit us? Or does it make it a requirement to have a driver then? Or is there any benefit to just leaving them? Actually we'd likely remove the last row of seats anyway and use that space for cargo of some sort or another probably luggage etc. Mega, you mention "driving" now is that relative to the van or the trailer being towed? Are you saying you think there may be a problem with my towing it? I really don't want to hire a Thai t tow this as i have years of experience up against them having likely none. Is that a guess or do you have some personal info on that? Jitar, you say "good luck with customs?" I don't want any border surprises, can you give me any specifics as to why I might run into problems given it's pretty straight forward? Do you know something specifically or just going on the usual anticipation of customs reactions without a specific example? BTW happy New Year, we're about to catch up with you, I'm going outside right now to set off a few bottle rockets with my boys.. Edited January 1, 2016 by WarpSpeed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarpSpeed Posted January 1, 2016 Author Share Posted January 1, 2016 (edited) I Pm'd IMHO yesterday but so far no response either there or now in my thread, be nice if he could chime in with whatever he knows, if anything? Edited January 1, 2016 by WarpSpeed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarpSpeed Posted January 1, 2016 Author Share Posted January 1, 2016 Nice to see You back at last[emoji106] If only temporarily. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jitar Posted January 1, 2016 Share Posted January 1, 2016 Jitar, you say "good luck with customs?" I don't want any border surprises, can you give me any specifics as to why I might run into problems given it's pretty straight forward? Do you know something specifically or just going on the usual anticipation of customs reactions without a specific example? The luck you need with customs is getting the documentation they will accept and a reasonable categorization for duty. You will need documentation to demonstrate the value of the trailer. An invoice or receipt for used purchase is usually OK but sometimes they request evidence of the new value as well. Obviously silly valuations would be asking for trouble. The contents of the trailer may be more trouble than the trailer itself as far as the duty calculation is concerned. I would imagine the trailer should be pretty straight forward but you never know when a surprise will turn up, TiT. As an example, many years ago when Tri Axle trailers were first permitted, we had some dramas importing them because the customs boys were not upto date. More recently we got embroiled in a mess importing some specialised rescue equipment because the customs can't make up their mind how to categorise it, despite have imported the same equipment several times before. I have heard they can get fussy if the equipment does not look good, can't say for sure though as the used equipment we have imported has all be higher value and in good shape. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarpSpeed Posted January 1, 2016 Author Share Posted January 1, 2016 (edited) Ok Thanks Jitar, So the funny thing is the trailer will likely be worth less new then used as many come mostly stripped and then the owner customizes it the way they want it with things like winches, awnings, tire racks, cabinets and the like which is why I want a nice used one, a nice new one can be had with no features for about $3800 right now. But be that as it may, I know they can be finicky, actually the personal items inside are going to be mostly well used as well and have already been there and done that previously, hopefully they'll take that into account, I doubt very seriously if a new receipt can be produced for the trailer so they're just going to have work that one out with my shipping agents help. Since I can't get one of these there and to ship my personal items is going to cost nearly as much as if I rent a container except I can pack it myself prior my way so my stuff doesn't get ruined, (didn't happen shipping that direction but on return here the Thai customs packed it like rubbish without any common sense and that's how a lot of it returned) I think that money is potentially throw away anyway no matter what so it makes it worth the gamble to at least try, if it doesn't cost too much more, and I get it in? It's a win as I see it. Edited January 1, 2016 by WarpSpeed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lampang2 Posted January 2, 2016 Share Posted January 2, 2016 Is that 174 hp? Dsg gearbox? What weight of trailer for daily use? Kg that is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarpSpeed Posted January 2, 2016 Author Share Posted January 2, 2016 Well no one said it was going to be perfect, but it can handle it and it won't be daily use by any means, only once in a while, but I've also considered hiring a pick up driver or slightly larger if it isn't feasible and just driving to the track in the Caravelle as a comfort and support vehicle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BSJ Posted January 3, 2016 Share Posted January 3, 2016 Strike me pink! Warpy is asking for advice! Is the sun now coming up in the West??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarpSpeed Posted January 3, 2016 Author Share Posted January 3, 2016 (edited) Gosh and that didn't even get my thread a like? Wait! I'm on the east coast of the west so all is still right as the sun does rise here first. Edited January 3, 2016 by WarpSpeed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarpSpeed Posted January 4, 2016 Author Share Posted January 4, 2016 Nice to see You back at last[emoji106] If only temporarily. Still, nice to be appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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