Thread: Computers - Import Duty

Hi,

I am thinking of moving to Thailand. Can anyone tell me if there is import duty on a desktop Mac about 2 years old?

Many thanks.

Personal items will be ok, unless you're a cock and try to declare it, then they'll probably levy a duty on your stupidity.

Answer should be in here somewhere

The Customs Department - Thailand

Yup, cars are a "no no"

I've got a Land cruiser in Oz, it'd be great here but it cost me way too much to import. So I just grabbed an old ute to potter around in. Must say I've had it a while now and it's running well.

Originally Posted by Muadib

A bit off topic, but these guys are not your friends... I just check T's link as I have been toying with the idea of bringing my mini cooper with me when I move to Thailand... Fook me, 188% duty, excise tax, interior tax and VAT... There are discounts for registration period and age of vehicle, but close as I can figure I'd have to fork over close to 800K baht for a new vehicle value of $1 million baht!!! And that's for a used car!!!

And it probably won't change if there was a FTA with these greedy fools either.

Off topic, but how do you like the mini cooper? Mrs. Chi wants one.

Car import duty is very high.

I think a computer is in the region of 15%

Originally Posted by Thetyim

I think a computer is in the region of 15%

Seriously though, why would you bother? You can get a tip top machine made for you for 25,000. Plus the bonus of being able to go back to the bloke that built it if you have any problems.

Just bring your stuff over on a hard drive.

Originally Posted by chitown

Off topic, but how do you like the mini cooper? Mrs. Chi wants one.

I love it... I have a S model and it's a blast... Drives & handles like a racing kart, gets 34 mpg on regular fuel, has enough room inside that I can haul most anything I need and being so small it's a wiz in traffic & parking... That's why I am thinking about bringing it with me... After checking new mini costs in Thailand, it's still more cost effective to bring mine with me...

To put it into perspective, I've got one of those ass-engined, nazi slot cars too... Haven't driven it since I got the mini and have just sold it...

I am 6'5", so I will have to get her a convertible.

I'm 6'3" and there's plenty of room for me...

This brings up an interesting issue regarding cars - what are the similar import duty situations in the surrounding countries, like Laos, Cambodia or Myanmar?

What about shipping the car there, registering it there, and then just driving it over the border?

Or air dropping it via parachute into an open area, recovering it, and just driving it with a license plate bought at chatuchak market :-)

Originally Posted by DaffyDuck

What about shipping the car there, registering it there, and then just driving it over the border?

You still have to pay the duty to bring it into Thailand.

Originally Posted by Thetyim

Originally Posted by DaffyDuck

What about shipping the car there, registering it there, and then just driving it over the border?

You still have to pay the duty to bring it into Thailand.

What if you drove it 'as a tourist', kinda just visiting, and eventually (allegedly) planning to leave again?

What about importing a wreck (i.e. car without engine)?

Idiotic import regulations? Are they trying to protect the local luxury car industry (I'm being sarcastic).

Check the link... You have to get a visa for your car if it's of foreign registry... Max visa is 6 months... I thought of doing that too, but don't want to do visa runs for a car when I won't have to do one for myself...

Originally Posted by Muadib

Check the link... You have to get a visa for your car if it's of foreign registry... Max visa is 6 months... I thought of doing that too, but don't want to do visa runs for a car when I won't have to do one for myself...

ROTFLOL!

Might be worth it considering the costs of cars, especially if it's a nice car.

OP, I successfully carried a desktop in a big suitcase no worries.

a friend of mine did that, imported from Malaysia, and was doing Visa run from Thailand to Cambodia etc... while driving with a UK license plate. It lasted a few years but I think eventually he got caught and lost the car entirely.

Importing a car is a big no no, no matter how legit you think you are. The CUSTOMS thief will simply "steal" the cars by putting at their discretion the excise "price" for duties, so don't expect the discount for registration as it doesn't work in practice, no matter how many papers you have to prove your point, the custom officer at the end is the only one making the appraisal.

There is a famous thread on TV about a guy doing just that, and he lost the car eventually. The price was so high, it didn't make any sense to bid for it. Eventually they sold his car in an auction with no chance to bid for it, as the game is rigged with local partners.

For a mini, they could ask you to pay more than a new one, just so that you give up the title and then proceed to sell it to their friends or partners for a nice profit.

It's a losing game, you are dealing with thief and a small government mafia gang, you can't win.

Shit, now a tax on "stupidity". I will never make it through customs/Immigration as they take my life savings.

I hand carried a desktop through Chiang Mai airport from Shanghai, it was brand new, only just had the OS installed. (present for the kids)

It was even still in the original cardboard box - (I didn't know any better at the time).

I got pulled, and they asked me "Is Computer NEW?" so I simply said NO, that was it, they didn't even ask to open the box!

I didn't realise that there was duty to be paid (but apparently - ONLY IF IT IS NEW)

They also failed to find the 300 plus DVD's I had in my suitcase - all originals OF COURSE - NOT! So I guess i was lucky. In fact, looking back I was extremely lucky - Thai airways in Shanghai never even charged us for excess baggage, we were allowed 60KG and we had 85KG if I remember - They asked "What's in the cases" I simply said Clothes - to which the girl replied - "Oh, they are heavy!"

Hey Guys,

thanks for all the info. You have been a great help. The info on cars was a bonus as I was interested in that too.

Originally Posted by Fondles

Please show me where this can be done, i have an "average" machine and its cost to date is well over 25k (I built it).

Little shop in Ban Chang about 3 years ago.

There's another thread on this matter. Check it out.

Iy's interesting to see how threads drift off the initial subject. But is is a good way to get information that need and did not know you needed. Thanks very much.