Inporting a kit car from Australia

[Rotweiler]

I am planning to import a kit car from Australia.  The kit contains all parts (unassembled) necessary to build the car except for a donor frame complete with engine and axles.

 

Does anyone have experience with importing kits?

[overherebc]

Isn't someone in ChiangMai making Cobra replicas

Maybe check with him.?

[Rotweiler]

Definitely not interested in his "cobras".  Had a chance to see one and not really something I would want to own.

 

 

[Kwasaki]

Check out the costs for importing these kits into Thailand first or it might end up on a shelf at customs.

[Rotweiler]

I certainly do.

 

{Kit cost plus shipping} X 1.32 X 1.11 X 1.07

 

Example:  B100,00x32% = B132,000x11% = B146,520x7% = B156,776

 

This only works for non-running kits FOB Chonburi were you already have a donor car for chassis and engine.

 

Add in brokerage fees and transport from Chonburi..

[Saraphee]

What kit were you thinking of?

[manfredtillmann]

15 minutes ago, Rotweiler said:

I certainly do.

 

{Kit cost plus shipping} X 1.32 X 1.11 X 1.07

 

Example:  B100,00x32% = B132,000x11% = B146,520x7% = B156,776

 

This only works for non-running kits FOB Chonburi were you already have a donor car for chassis and engine.

 

Add in brokerage fees and transport from Chonburi..

please tell us about the validity of this equation once you have succeeded.

i (someone who gave up on something similar) would be very much interested in the outcome.

thanking you

mft

[Pdaz]

As far as I know the only kits you can register are those that don't use a bespoke chassis. So that means you are limited to ones based on beetle floor pans, cut down/modified truck chassis or chassis from old style cars designed before monocoque shells became the norm.

This means that Lotus 7, Cobra , Lancia Stratos and other styles that are built on ladder or space frame chassis with engine and running gear from a donor car cannot be registered.

 

so that really just leaves stuff based on the beetle - ie Porsche 356, 550 Spyders and Beach buggies unless there is something new on the market ?

[Don Mega]

2 hours ago, Pdaz said:

As far as I know the only kits you can register are those that don't use a bespoke chassis. So that means you are limited to ones based on beetle floor pans, cut down/modified truck chassis or chassis from old style cars designed before monocoque shells became the norm.

This means that Lotus 7, Cobra , Lancia Stratos and other styles that are built on ladder or space frame chassis with engine and running gear from a donor car cannot be registered.

 

so that really just leaves stuff based on the beetle - ie Porsche 356, 550 Spyders and Beach buggies unless there is something new on the market ?

 

old toyota Cressida's had a full chassis.

 

few of them in  Thailand.

[Pdaz]

Yeah anything with a chassis number.

just need a big motor and some sexy bodywork

[tifino]

 

maybe find a Purvis Eureka.

 

We had a fella, in country Victoria, who amassed a collection of these, and opened his own showroom, for sales

[Pdaz]

A pontiac Fiero would be a good starting point

[Don Mega]

4 minutes ago, Pdaz said:

A pontiac Fiero would be a good starting point

 

yeah tripping over them here.

[Pdaz]

There are a few around believe it of not

[augustwest]

I've seen a cobra and a Lotus Super Seven on Craig's list. If the adds are real somebody did what you want.

[dotpoom]

On 9/2/2016 at 1:50 PM, Kwasaki said:

Check out the costs for importing these kits into Thailand first or it might end up on a shelf at customs.

 

I think that's what he's hoping to find out with his OP

[Kwasaki]

46 minutes ago, dotpoom said:

 

I think that's what he's hoping to find out with his OP

 

Well the only way to do it really IMO is enquiring directly to Thai customs for up to date costs.  

[Rotweiler]

My broker has been in contact with Thai Customs and the numbers I quoted earlier are supposed to be the current numbers.

 

Earlier, PDaz commented:

" As far as I know the only kits you can register are those that don't use a bespoke chassis. So that means you are limited to ones based on beetle floor pans, cut down/modified truck chassis or chassis from old style cars designed before monocoque shells became the norm."

 

Not quite true - my donor car is a Ford Mk 1 two-door. 

 

Thai customs rules are that the imported kit must be added to an existing, numbered chassis (donor car).  Otherwise, the standard import taxes apply and the the vehicle may not be granted entry to Thailand (and end up left at the customs yard in Chonburi).

 

3 hours ago, Kwasaki said:

 

Well the only way to do it really IMO is enquiring directly to Thai customs for up to date costs.  

 

[Kwasaki]

4 hours ago, Rotweiler said:

My broker has been in contact with Thai Customs and the numbers I quoted earlier are supposed to be the current numbers.

 

Earlier, PDaz commented:

" As far as I know the only kits you can register are those that don't use a bespoke chassis. So that means you are limited to ones based on beetle floor pans, cut down/modified truck chassis or chassis from old style cars designed before monocoque shells became the norm."

 

Not quite true - my donor car is a Ford Mk 1 two-door. 

 

Thai customs rules are that the imported kit must be added to an existing, numbered chassis (donor car).  Otherwise, the standard import taxes apply and the the vehicle may not be granted entry to Thailand (and end up left at the customs yard in Chonburi).

 

 

 

 Yeah OK buddy l genuinely hope things go well for you and works out. 

[tomyumchai]

6 hours ago, Rotweiler said:

My broker has been in contact with Thai Customs and the numbers I quoted earlier are supposed to be the current numbers.

 

Earlier, PDaz commented:

" As far as I know the only kits you can register are those that don't use a bespoke chassis. So that means you are limited to ones based on beetle floor pans, cut down/modified truck chassis or chassis from old style cars designed before monocoque shells became the norm."

 

Not quite true - my donor car is a Ford Mk 1 two-door. 

 

Thai customs rules are that the imported kit must be added to an existing, numbered chassis (donor car).  Otherwise, the standard import taxes apply and the the vehicle may not be granted entry to Thailand (and end up left at the customs yard in Chonburi).

 

 

Youre cutting up a ford *escort* mk1 2 door? Im interested to know what kit could be built on that.

[Pdaz]

13 hours ago, Rotweiler said:

My broker has been in contact with Thai Customs and the numbers I quoted earlier are supposed to be the current numbers.

 

Earlier, PDaz commented:

" As far as I know the only kits you can register are those that don't use a bespoke chassis. So that means you are limited to ones based on beetle floor pans, cut down/modified truck chassis or chassis from old style cars designed before monocoque shells became the norm."

 

Not quite true - my donor car is a Ford Mk 1 two-door. 

 

Thai customs rules are that the imported kit must be added to an existing, numbered chassis (donor car).  Otherwise, the standard import taxes apply and the the vehicle may not be granted entry to Thailand (and end up left at the customs yard in Chonburi).

 

 

 

Yes that is exactly what I meant, but you are using your escorts monocoque chassis. Your "donor" car has a chassis number and is registered. you can add a body kit or modify the bodywork and it is still legal.  What you can't do is take the running gear from the Escort (engine, suspension etc )  and bolt that on to a new chassis. It sounds to me that you are actually just importing a body kit ? Big arch conversion or something similar ? The kits I was referring to usually include a new chassis which is where the problem with registration occurs. There are a number of body conversion kits available which I have seen here. Pictured is one designed to make a late model MR2 look like a Ferrari.

 

 

 

 

[mike324]

so what is the kit car you plan on importing?

 

I think you will have better luck if you import it in 2-3 separate shipments so it looks like replacement parts. Customs may say one thing, but once that kit car lands in Thailand, its a may be a different story depending on your luck. Those that deal especially with car parts are especially hard to deal with. I would suggest that you have your shipping agent quote you an all inclusive rate delivered to your door with guarantee (not sure if they are willing to guarantee it for items like this).

[BKKdreaming]

How about this.........probably a few years early.....

 

send the Cad file , have the CNC cut the form out of foam , fiberglass the foam to either make a mold or a final body

 

yeah you could also 3D print the whole car in pieces like they did at SEMA show last year.....

 

and look at Bangla Bangers on youtube , not sure if you could do that in Thailand

 

[overherebc]

On 02/09/2016 at 0:06 PM, Rotweiler said:

Definitely not interested in his "cobras".  Had a chance to see one and not really something I would want to own.

 

 

 

I didn't mean buy one but he must be importing the body parts to fit on whatever chassis so could advise you on the system of importing the body/panels.

[tomyumchai]

Still waiting for ops plan to chop up a mk1. Im looking to buy a 2 door escort but i wont be cutting it up.

[Rotweiler]

I have the Escort.  My son's play-around car.  However...................

 

Thanks all for your comments and warnings.

 

My broker and I met with a regional customs officer and were provided the following information:

 

-  Yes, the import duty on kits or components is 32% of valuation plus tax
-  Yes, this is the definitive rate.
-  No, they cannot guarantee this would be applied to the kit I wished to import (they would have to inspect it first at the port) and then decide.
-  Yes, the rates could ultimately be between 9% (if we were using the parts as a commercial car builder to fabricate a car for resale in Thailand) to over 110%+ if the kit were deemed to be "not complying" (we were unable to get specific information on what that meant).

Finally, very important was his description of "valuation".  It is not simply original cost plus transportation as I had understood.  Value for taxation is a Thai-determined price based on Thailand customs understanding of what such parts/components/kits/vehicles SHOULD or COULD be worth.

I surrender, quit, give-up.  To many variables.  pssst... anyone have a legal kit card for sale?

[manfredtillmann]

i am sorry to read you are raising your arms, i have hit the same obstacles in the past and came to the same conclusion.

too many open doors that no one knows how to close - and everyone of them some relates back to money decisions that someone else will make for you.

chin up and stiff upper lip, mate.

cheers

mft