Importing a classic car from UK

[jimmy40]

Have to agree with everyone. I looked into it and the powers that be just put whatever price on them as tax.
You could try and find that auction they have every year for seized cars. The notice comes out about a day before its on, put up on a notice board in a random building in a corner under some junk. So only the thais at customs gets to go. A few years ago I got the list AFTER it was all over. There were heaps of classics etc, all around 500,000 baht. There was a heap of porshe cars in it as well. You may wan to try that

[NOKYAI]

I was aware of the sliding scale, it's just how to get an accurate valuation. It sounds like customs have a vested interest in giving it an unreasonably high one so people walk away from them, then they are auctioned to their mates. I'll have to keep an eye on the situation over the next few years and hope things improve.

[Spitfire]

Agree with the 'nay' sayers on this one.....don't even think about it OP.

You'd be lucky if you could even get it past customs, especially if they knew how rare and expensive it was......they would be salivating at the prospect. Even if you got it here then the problems to keep it in prime condition, legal and not stolen to order would just be a constant pain-in-the-ass.

[barrys]

Have to agree with the overall sentiment here.
When I first moved here about 14 years ago, I started making inquiries about bringing my mint condition 1975 Porsche 928 over.

Those efforts didn't last long though when I found out all the red tape and horrendous costs involved.
As another poster said, the roads here would have destroyed the poor car in next to no time....

Now driving a Ford Fiesta, not quite the same, but oh well...........

[Hobiecat]

Taxes like that are probably a good thing anyway because there is nothing worse than a Farang showing off his wealth here in the LOS. It only brings more resentment towards the expat community trying to live a normal low profile life here in Hua Hin. Have a 1956 Chev Sedan Delivery at home I wouldn't even consider importing for that reason.

I have to disagree there. Generally, (what I've observed) is if you are driving around in a nice car, the Thai community will recognize that you're not some dropout runaway that's rolled up on their shores, and humour you with a little more respect than usual.



Edit: Should mention, I have never had a car in Thailand. Just an observation.

Maybe in your eye's............

[a10ams]

Have to agree with the overall sentiment here.
When I first moved here about 14 years ago, I started making inquiries about bringing my mint condition 1975 Porsche 928 over.

Those efforts didn't last long though when I found out all the red tape and horrendous costs involved.
As another poster said, the roads here would have destroyed the poor car in next to no time....

Now driving a Ford Fiesta, not quite the same, but oh well...........

A 1975 Porsche 928 ..... I don't think so.

Didn't come out until 1977.

http://www.928s4vr.com/928-resources/20 ... model-info

1977 928 VIN Range - 9288200001 - 1139

[a10ams]

Despite all the gloom and doom on here, sometimes the figures do add up and make it worthwhile albeit expensive.

My example, and I was quoted on this by a law firm about two years ago. I can't remember the exact numbers now but this info is fairly close. I'll do it in £'s.

I have a 2001 996 Carrera 4 parked up in my garage in the UK. I've had it since 2005. I've lived in Thailand since early 2007 with my Thai wife (which makes no difference).

The theoretical (Thai) value of the car now, is 25% of it's new price, so it was valued at £19+k. There was another £3k+ for shipping and another £1k+ for paperwork. All came to nearly £25k.

Because it was over ten years old the tax had 'bottomed out' at 212%. So 2.12 x all of the above.

Their final estimate in baht, was 2.6m, say £52k.

I have seen these cars advertised in Bangkok for 3.5m. So financially it can be worth it as the car would be lucky to pull £13k in the UK right now.

As I say, the numbers can sometimes make sense, but perhaps the reality is different if somebody is going to bump the value up when it gets here. Plus plundering your pension or savings for £52k is a big decision!

Wish I'd kept my Boxster as it would only be £10k on the 25% scale now.

[dundrillin]

I believe if the car is more that 10 years old the custom official decides the value.

[Nereus]

I believe if the car is more that 10 years old the custom official decides the value.

Yes, and then the valuation depends on just which one of their mates want it!
It is like many other things here; there are laws and "guidelines" in place, but how they are interpreted is up to the "officer" concerned.