Import motorcycle

[Canada]

Does anyone know if it is still possible to disassemble, ship into Thailand, re-assemble and obtain a green book for it? Obtain - by any means. I know it used to be possible, but I've heard that it is a thing of the past. Any recent experience out there?

Thanks

[M1Tanker]

Canada,

 

I don't have answers to your questions.  My motorcycle was shipped fully assembled and with the side cases mounted.  I only lowered the windscreen to its lowest position.

[Canada]

How long had you owned your bike, and how much was it's real value in Thai funds, how much was its assessed value by Thai authorities, and how much was the final bill for taxes, duties and fees?

If you would please. I'm trying to assess whether or not to bother to try to import mine. If you do not want to publicly post this info, would you PM me? I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks

Edited October 23, 2016 by Canada

[Canada]

Also-  M1,

Did you complete your applications in person or online and telephone, and if in person, where?

 

[M1Tanker]

12 minutes ago, Canada said:

How long had you owned your bike, and how much was it's real value in Thai funds, how much was its assessed value by Thai authorities, and how much was the final bill for taxes, duties and fees?

If you would please. I'm trying to assess whether or not to bother to try to import mine. If you do not want to publicly post this info, would you PM me? I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks

I owned my 2008 BMW R1200GS Adventure since it was new and I am the original owner.  I had all of the original sales documents and used the value on my original invoice in accordance with the Thai Customs Department guidance listed in paragraph 3 Import clearance procedures. (http://www.customs.go.th/wps/wcm/connect/custen/individuals/importing+personal+vehicle/importingpersonalvehicle+). Before I embarked on this effort I created an Excel spreadsheet and put all of the Thai customs formulas from the aforementioned link into it. I came up with a total duty cost of about 360,000THB. When I did pay my duties I ended up paying less than 250,000THB not including incidentals.  Since I just retired from the U.S. Army, the Army paid for the move of my household goods and my motorcycle.

 

 

I recommend to anyone considering attempting to permanently import a motorcycle into Thailand that he build a spreadsheet using all of the cost calculations on the Thai Customs website (Customs English). The newer the motorcycle, the less of a discount is given by Thai Customs. One also needs to seriously consider what a realistic sales price of his motorcycle could be and if sold then taking that money and applying it to a purchase of a motorcycle in Thailand. It is a matter of costs (shipping, insurance, fees, incidentals, duties, fees, etc) , plus time and suffering.

 

36 minutes ago, Canada said:

Also-  M1,

Did you complete your applications in person or online and telephone, and if in person, where?

 

I started communicating with the Thai Customs department and Thai Department of Foreign Trade within the Ministry of Commerce via email and telephone over a year prior to the shipment of my motorcycle.  I keep up that communication and when I came to Thailand in December 2015, I visited both organizations in person and met with the actual people that would process the respective paperwork required.

 

[Canada]

Ouch.

 

Ok then, thank you very much for the straight forward answer. Probably sell here and buy there would be my best bet for my 2010 Fat Bob. I could take my mods off and ship them over there. Darn thing is only worth 12,000 here right now, even with low kms and all my mods. But it would likely be a costly adventure to legally get it there. Maybe. I'll have to spend some time figuring this one out. Thanks again.

[M1Tanker]

To purchase a new BMW R1200GS Adventure here in Thailand is over 1 million THB. In 2015 when I was researching the feasibility of importing my motorcycle, I did search for used R1200GS Adventures in Thailand. I found a 2009 and it cost about 880,000THB; which was about the price I paid for mine when I bought it new. Other GS's that I found were just about as expensive. As previously stated I created an Excel spreadsheet and put all of the Thai customs formulas into it. I came up with a total duty cost of about 360,000THB. I had someone independently create a spreadsheet and he came up with about he same cost. I did consider selling my motorcycle in Germany, but the challenge is that I purchased the motorcycle, a US specification motorcycle, through the BMW Military Sales program and thus paid no German VAT or amazingly the 6% import fee. If I sold the motorcycle to a German then they would have to pay for the VAT and the import fee, making it cost ineffective to a German. I could have sold it to a US service member or US Government worker in Germany, but there aren't many riders in that demographic that can afford the motorcycle in Germany and those that can take advantage of the BMW Military Sales program by paying a lower MSRP and no taxes. Thus, given my estimates I decided to attempt importing the motorcycle.