Importing a Car to Thailand

[Rdrokit]

Many years ago a car was considered a household item and could be imported when moving to Thailand. But not under the current rules. Sell it and buy one here in Thailand.

[HAKAPALITA]

22 hours ago, Sebb98 said:

Dear all

I have done about 3 years of research on importing second hand cars into Thailand.  During the course of my research I have found very helpful websites, such as this one, underlining experiences of expats who have tried to import vehicles into Thailand.  I would like to share my experiences (to the extent they can be shared publicly).

 

1. The public government information that you can find on the ministry of commerce or from the shipping companies only tell you 5% of the entire process.  It works quite different in reality.

2. If you come from a developed country and you expect this process to work the way it works in your home country (ie. Australia, US, UK, Germany), it doesn't.  Words can't describe what you are about to go through if you do decide to go all the way with the import.  Try Netflix and watch Narcos or el Chapo.  If you are from a developing country then you will be less surprised ?

3. There are a couple of different taxes you need to pay.  If you are thinking of importing a vanilla vehicle (normal retail V4 car no matter what age), abandon your plan.  It is not worth it.  It is most likely cheaper to buy it second hand or new in Thailand.

4.  It is possible to make a spread / gain out of this process.  You need to pick the right model and it needs to be one that will result in a higher net price after importing (it needs to be a fairly rare vehicle but one that already exists in Thailand, you will have more problems if you are importing a first of a kind).

5.  It is absolutely correct that the valuation is very random.  Custom officers have a wide discretion.

6.  Do not even think about doing this unless you have a trustworthy reliable customs broker in Thailand.  Also, if you are a non Thai speaking fresh off the boat foreigner, prepare to be ripped off in the same manner that you have been when you first came to Thailand ?

7. Do not think that you have surpassed 5% of the process just because you got yourself an import permit from the ministry of commerce.  That was the easiest part for me. ? All the fun starts when your car is stuck in the holding warehouse and customs are assessing the value at 5x the price of what you purchased it for.  This is where you put your shipping agent to the test.  A good agent will have a solution for you and a good track record.

8. Are you a guy who wants to do everything the proper way with contracts?  If so, do not import.  You will have to do a lot of things the unconventional way to get the most optimal outcome.

9. Always be prepared to lose your car.  If you are not, then do not import it.

10. Always be prepared to ship your car back if you have a run in with another official.

11. Be prepared to threaten people.  I know this will be hard if you are a FOB foreigner without Thai contacts.  Saying that you will complain to your consulate is not really a threat ?

12. There are lots of potential people intervening in the chain that can rip you off.  You just have to look out for yourself.

13. You need to have a good balance between pulling connections from higher rank and lower rank.  This is hard to explain.  If you pull strings too high, you are removing flexibility.  Do not pull the high card on the outset.  Use the low card first.  If you do not understand what this means, you should not attempt to import ?

Conclusion: it is not a 100% failure rate, it can be done, it will be difficult if you are not local and do not have the right contacts.  By the way, remember some brands are subject to additional payment to the local mafia.  Good luck!

 

3 Years Research.?. Ah Well. 

[Jitar]

On 7/11/2017 at 11:38 PM, snowgard said:

You can find the most information here: Used Household items

 

and car import

 

For a Thai resident returning, it says: 

"IMPORTING USED / SECONDHAND HOUSEHOLD EFFECTS

Returning Thai residents who have been abroad for one year or longer, for the purposes other than touring are eligible to bring in household effects acquired abroad free of taxes and duties......

NOTE: Motor vehicles, alcoholic beverages and tobacco are excluded from this relief."

 

Does not sound good, even if the rules are followed! 

[Rdrokit]

29 minutes ago, Jitar said:

For a Thai resident returning, it says: 

"IMPORTING USED / SECONDHAND HOUSEHOLD EFFECTS

Returning Thai residents who have been abroad for one year or longer, for the purposes other than touring are eligible to bring in household effects acquired abroad free of taxes and duties......

NOTE: Motor vehicles, alcoholic beverages and tobacco are excluded from this relief."

 

Does not sound good, even if the rules are followed! 

The rule about Thais importing cars was changed years ago.I think it was because a lot of rich Thais sent their children to college abroad. The kids then bought expensive cars and imported them free of import duties back to Thailand.

[snowgard]

You must read it all:
 

• In case where an importer is a Thai resident marrying a foreigner, he/she is required to present documentary evidence of marriage and proof of changing residence to Thailand. Also the importer has to own and possess the imported vehicle for at least one and a half year while staying abroad, from the date of transferring the ownership to the date of arrival into Thailand.
• In case where an importer is a Thai resident, he/she is allowed to import a vehicle only when such vehicle is accompanied the owner on the change of residence and he/she has owned and possessed the imported vehicle together with the valid driving license for at least one and a half year while staying abroad.

 

[Rdrokit]

8 hours ago, snowgard said:

You must read it all:
 

• In case where an importer is a Thai resident marrying a foreigner, he/she is required to present documentary evidence of marriage and proof of changing residence to Thailand. Also the importer has to own and possess the imported vehicle for at least one and a half year while staying abroad, from the date of transferring the ownership to the date of arrival into Thailand.
• In case where an importer is a Thai resident, he/she is allowed to import a vehicle only when such vehicle is accompanied the owner on the change of residence and he/she has owned and possessed the imported vehicle together with the valid driving license for at least one and a half year while staying abroad.

 

Like to see the link you got this from as it sounds like the old law before it was changed.

[snowgard]

4 hours ago, Rdrokit said:

Like to see the link you got this from as it sounds like the old law before it was changed.

http://en.customs.go.th/content.php?ini_content=individuals_151007_01&lang=en&left_menu=menu_individuals_151007_01

 

[Rdrokit]

4 hours ago, snowgard said:

http://en.customs.go.th/content.php?ini_content=individuals_151007_01&lang=en&left_menu=menu_individuals_151007_01

 

Can't find your quote but this is directly off the page from your link. And you will still have to pay the 328% custom duty on a new car. On a used car there is a discount depending on how old. And a 10 year old car gets a 70% discount. Off of what the Customs Dept values the car at. Good luck with that.

 

Criteria for a Permanent Import of Used/Secondhand Vehicles

• An importer is eligible to import only ONE used/ secondhand vehicles for personal use.
• In case where the importer is a nonresident, he/she is required to stay in Thailand for at least ONE year and present a non-immigrant visa issued by the Immigration Bureau, the National Police Office together with a work permit issued by the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare at the time of importation.
• In case where an importer is a Thai resident marrying a foreigner, he/she is required to present documentary evidence of marriage and proof of changing residence to Thailand. Also the importer has to own and possess the imported vehicle for at least one and a half year while staying abroad, from the date of transferring the ownership to the date of arrival into Thailand.
• In case where an importer is a Thai resident, he/she is allowed to import a vehicle only when such vehicle is accompanied the owner on the change of residence and he/she has owned and possessed the imported vehicle together with the valid driving license for at least one and a half year while staying abroad.

Documents

(1) General Documentation :

• An Import Goods Declaration and 3 duplicates;
• A Bill of Lading or Air Waybill;
• Proof of vehicle purchase (if any);
• A Release Order (Kor Sor Kor 100/1);
• An insurance premium invoice; and
• Other relevant documents (if any) e.g. a power of attorney.

(2) Additional Documentation for the used/secondhand personal vehicles:

• A House Certificate and an Identification Card;
• A passport in case of changing residence;
• A Vehicle Registration Certificate indicating that the imported vehicle was used abroad;
• An import permit from the Foreign Trade Department of the Ministry of Commerce

Import Clearance Procedures

• An importer/agent submits an Import Goods Declaration together with all supporting documents to the Customs office/house at the port of entry;
• Customs verifies the documents, allocates a Goods Declaration number and calculates liable taxes and duties;
• An importer/agent pays liable taxes and duties at a Cashier Office; and
• An importer/agent presents the receipt issued by the Cashier Office to a Customs Inspection Office to bring the imported vehicles from Customs custody.

Edited June 17, 2018 by Rdrokit

[Sebb98]

As per my post above, the import permit is the least of your problems.  The main issue is that you are going to be dealing with officials from a very corrupt system.  They have no mercy on natives and do not abide by the law.  The 328% and discount brackets can be diaobeyed by the officials.  Picture this: you import your car worth £20k but thai officials want it so they slap a £80k valuation.  Now apply your 328% taxes on top.  Now you might think ok screw this I will ship my car back but if you make the slightest mistake in your procedure then be prepared for a 5 or 10% fine over the value of the car (as determined by thai customs).  So unless you know how to deal with customs or know someone who does then you are donating the car to customs.