Any idea how much it would costs to ship and use Lotus Elise in Bkk - Ajarn Forum

996ttcab · 18th August 2008, 04:58

May sound crazy, but I would really like to have my Lotus Elise with me in Bkk. It is small, gets great gas milage and the chicks dig it.

Any idea how much import tax or registration it would take and who would I contact about finding out how to ship it, register it and use it in Bkk. Would I have to register it. I read the motor cycle thread stating it was cheaper to pay the 30 Baht fines than the 45,000 to register.

Is this doable?

Killing Me Softly 101 · 18th August 2008, 06:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by 996ttcab

crazy.
Is this doable?

Crazy yes.

Doable no.

Think of paying something like twice the new cost in taxes. So if it cost $50,000.
Figure you have to pay $100000 in duty. Sell it, store it, give it away. Do not import.

996ttcab · 18th August 2008, 06:56

That does sux. It would be nice not to have to buy another car in Bkk.

Killing Me Softly 101 · 18th August 2008, 07:02

Do a search over at Home - Thaivisa.com. The topic has been done there.

re_fuse · 18th August 2008, 07:02

I thought about doing my car but I would cost 2 million Baht ( just in Taxes)

Killing Me Softly 101 · 18th August 2008, 07:30

I would have loved to bring my 1995 Mazda Miatia MX-5 "M" edition that is in cherry condition. Just that it would have cost a million baht just for the duty. So gave it to the sister and bought a Suzuki and had 650,000 baht left over.

The cheapest car right now is a Malaysian Import for around 379,000 baht. A good car like a Honda will set you back about 600,000 baht.

The cheapest truck is around 400,000 baht.

Used cars hold value well but don't buy one as the Thais treat cars like crap. Just is you can buy one an later resell it and get a reasonable amount back.

Relevant thai information from customs (click on link): >> Thai Customs <<

also read this post: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Car-Im...946.html&st=75

and also this:
Car Auctions Customs - Thailand Forum

Basically. A guy went through all the hassles of importing a car. He thought it would cost him around 120,000 K for a 9 year old Toyota. In the end, customs wanted about 700000 baht. He was out the car, the transport costs, and a lot of time, and some EGO, and he just had to walk away lesson learned.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 996ttcab

30 Baht fines

Now where around here. My Thai friends who don't register their otherwise legal bikes or who are not licensed end up having to go upcountry to get documents to prove ownership (usually in mom's name) then pay fines usually around 500-1000 baht, and pay impound fees. Total is usually around 2-4000 baht total. This is for bikes that are otherwise legal. If they cannot come up with the bike documents, fines, etc. They loose the bike.

The 30 baht backhander is an urban myth. Maybe 300 baht for not wearing a helmet but not for what you described.

drdublin · 18th August 2008, 12:22

The only people I know that have their own cars shipped to Thailand are usually embassy workers. But I've heard that they regret it since they're driving on the other side of the road(US) and the sterring wheel is still on the same side in their car. I was just strange to drive and they didn't do it often.

LeedsLeedsLeeds · 18th August 2008, 13:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Killing Me Softly 101

The 30 baht backhander is an urban myth. Maybe 300 baht for not wearing a helmet but not for what you described.

30 baht is certainly a dim and distant memory these days it's 100 baht with a minimal amount of negotiation. It was that much in Bkk and it is also that amount down here in Surat.

I really wanted to bring my BMW with me as I bought it for £50 so I thought that the tax on that wouldn't amount to much, which is true, but customs don't consider the cost price and would not have valued the car at £50. In the end I just gave up, but it wasn't all bad news as I managed to sell it to a Porko for £100.

kenkannif · 18th August 2008, 13:28

I think you're allowed one lot of tax free 'goods' I think it's on the first 6 months of an extended Visa....I think this might be worth trying....although I think I've heard of people still paying tax when they've tried it....so I think you should get some guarantees first before trying.

I also knew a lady quite a few years ago that brought her Harley over with her...but she had to get a sort of 'Visa' thing for it......this also avoided the tax issue!!! Although I think she had to take her bike with her on Visa runs...she came from Canada though.

996ttcab · 19th August 2008, 05:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeedsLeedsLeeds

30 baht is certainly a dim and distant memory these days it's 100 baht with a minimal amount of negotiation. It was that much in Bkk and it is also that amount down here in Surat.

I really wanted to bring my BMW with me as I bought it for £50 so I thought that the tax on that wouldn't amount to much, which is true, but customs don't consider the cost price and would not have valued the car at £50. In the end I just gave up, but it wasn't all bad news as I managed to sell it to a Porko for £100.

I got this from the recent thread started by the guy trying to sell his Honda 450. It was not registered and this apparently was his sales pitch to get around the registration issue.

http://www.ajarnforum.net/vb/the-cla...0-45-000b.html (Honda CB400 (45,000B))

Dang, I will miss my cars a little bit. The sad part is my girl friend here is hot and 8 years younger than, played pro golf, has a Porsche, Mercedes and a kick arse house on a golf course within eye shot of the beach. She is kind of hard to leave, but I will miss my cars more. I guess I am a shallow prick . . .

wildchris · 19th August 2008, 08:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenkannif

I think you're allowed one lot of tax free 'goods' I think it's on the first 6 months of an extended Visa....I think this might be worth trying....although I think I've heard of people still paying tax when they've tried it....so I think you should get some guarantees first before trying.

I also knew a lady quite a few years ago that brought her Harley over with her...but she had to get a sort of 'Visa' thing for it......this also avoided the tax issue!!! Although I think she had to take her bike with her on Visa runs...she came from Canada though.

Duty free import within 6 months doesn't apply to cars - we looked into it.

kenkannif · 19th August 2008, 10:58

^ Gotcha....what about the Visa ting mate?

8ball · 19th August 2008, 11:08

The visa thing is called a "Carnet De Passage"

I once brought a V-Dub Combi in on one

u can bring ur car in,,,,but then u hav 2 take it out too,,,,can't sell it here

kenkannif · 19th August 2008, 11:11

^ Fuck mate....you're the first person in like 7 years that's known the name...that's the baby (French is it?).....wicked!!! Yeah can't flog it here...but can use it!!! But if you plan to be here long term...seems something worth looking at!!!

re_fuse · 19th August 2008, 12:17

I have been watching with interest this thread I have. Yes.

Imediately looked up the Carnet de Passage Can't find anything directly to pertaining to Thailand.

I got a couple of links that might be interesting for some

Hey why not just forge the documents

AUSTRALIAN CUSTOMS NOTICE NO. 2002 / 70 Changes to the ATA (Admission Temporaire/Temporary Admission) <b style="color:black;background-color:#ffff66">Carnet</b> document

transporting your car overseas - carnet de passage - RACV

http://www.racv.com.au/wps/wcm/resou...cationform.pdf