I am considering importing a second hand (about 20 years old) car to Thailand. The model was never sold here and sells in the UK for about ฿90K.

Has anyone got any experience of doing this?

Is it difficult and expensive?

 

Quote

Is it difficult and expensive?

 

Generally, the answer is don't even think about it, import taxes will eat you up as well as the time taken by customs.  This has been answered numerous times, follow this link for related topics:

 

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/search/?&q=Importing&type=forums_topic&page=1&nodes=78

Absolutely in agreement with metisdead. Just don't bother.  I have had  both my Bentleys in storage in my home country for several years now as the cost and difficulty of importing them far outweighs the value that they are  increasing by back home. I did relent and I bought a Range Rover locally 4 years ago but for 12 million, in hindsight I was stupid as it was a huge loss maker but hey, at least I have something decent here as the locally produced 4x4s are nothing but agricultural vehicles in my opinion.

as the other posts, lots of threads on here, do some searching

The only details I have found is that parts have a 325% tax on them.

My last landlady wanted to buy my BMW 335i but I told her it wasn't worth importing. I was just after a two-seater convertible sports car that are really cheap in the UK about £1750 for a 2004 model with a hard top.

 

After it leaves your shores, the only time that you are likely to see it again is when some custom department Somchai drives it past where you are standing waiting for a bus ....

5 minutes ago, JAS21 said:

After it leaves your shores, the only time that you are likely to see it again is when some custom department Somchai drives it past where you are standing waiting for a bus ....

Truth be told - someone's somewhere driving the car I brought over - after a years battle from every angle & 720,000 baht - I gave it up.....This was with everything approved - until the day I went to get it.....

Is it difficult and expensive?

 

YES and a scam

10 hours ago, pgrahmm said:

Truth be told - someone's somewhere driving the car I brought over - after a years battle from every angle & 720,000 baht - I gave it up.....This was with everything approved - until the day I went to get it.....

Pretty standard comment from somebody who's tried to import items here.  It's one of the most corrupt departments here, aside from the police.  Terrible things they do to people.

4 minutes ago, craigt3365 said:

Pretty standard comment from somebody who's tried to import items here.  It's one of the most corrupt departments here, aside from the police.  Terrible things they do to people.

yes and you only have 3 choices pay, up walk, away or send it back.

It's much easier to find a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow or Liverpool to win a trophy. 

OP, Forget it.....

14 hours ago, George FmplesdaCosteedback said:

The only details I have found is that parts have a 325% tax on them.

My last landlady wanted to buy my BMW 335i but I told her it wasn't worth importing. I was just after a two-seater convertible sports car that are really cheap in the UK about £1750 for a 2004 model with a hard top.

 

Now the 335i is a bit of a monster too. Had one when I was UK based, sadly had to sell it when I retired at a staggering loss.

 

grat car though!

1 hour ago, kwak250 said:

It's much easier to find a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow or Liverpool to win a trophy. 

Does a wooden spoon count?

if it was easy lots of people would be doing it, and we would hear of the success stories

You asked for some advice         DON"T DO IT

+1

 

Don't do it!

One deliberate troll post as well as replies have been removed from this thread.

 

C'mon guys... there's no need to wind each other up.

@Jai Dee

 

Shame!

 

I award an unofficial Self-aggrandising Post of the Year, and you have just disenfranchised a promising nomination.

 

*sigh*

 

 

Back on-topic please...

Yes ! It is hugely expensive to Import a Foreign car into Thailand.

There are a multitude of taxes to pay in Thailand from Import Duty to Vat, And those are just the legit ones !

From what I've read on the topic, the customs fee will be the least of your problems. I suspect customs inflates the price in hopes you will abandon the car to them so they can keep it.

 

Perhaps if you have friends in high places you may be able to negotiate a better fee.

 

An alternative may be if you import to Malaysia and drive it across then back every two months or so.

 

I'm thinking of importing my car one day but only after negotiating  with high placed officials ahead of time.

18 hours ago, whatawonderfulday said:

Absolutely in agreement with metisdead. Just don't bother.  I have had  both my Bentleys in storage in my home country for several years now as the cost and difficulty of importing them far outweighs the value that they are  increasing by back home. I did relent and I bought a Range Rover locally 4 years ago but for 12 million, in hindsight I was stupid as it was a huge loss maker but hey, at least I have something decent here as the locally produced 4x4s are nothing but agricultural vehicles in my opinion.

Lol and whats the goods a Chelsea  tractor here?

4 minutes ago, Gonefortea said:

Lol and whats the goods a Chelsea  tractor here?

You have never owned or driven  one then...?

No never would own one driven many. And your point is?

1 minute ago, Gonefortea said:

No never would own one driven many. And your point is?

My point is it seems you envy those who do.....How can someone like you call a Roller etc a tractor....What do you drive..........?

26 minutes ago, transam said:

My point is it seems you envy those who do.....How can someone like you call a Roller etc a tractor....What do you drive..........?

Envy of what for goodness sake I've driven them all over the years most are over hyped and a terrible drive 

Ps try reading posts a Range rover is not a roller. Range rovers are known in UK as Chelsea tractors why because the rich and famous buy them. Then only use them on a 2 or 3 km school run.

avoid dealing with customs at all costs. cant remember if it was them or the land office that came up number one in the corruption polls. oh yea avoid dealing with the land office as well. wish i had known about that a few years ago.

Buy a locally made Japanese anything, run it for a few years for very little running costs and sell it for a reasonable price if it's looked after.  Or throw money down the drain for a sexy badge on the front.  Can't see the point in paying 4 million baht for a 5 series (for example) when it is a 2 million (tops) baht car.

It can be done.  But only by a well connected Thai that has owned the car for a while.