Import Tax on Wife Owned Car

**English Noodles** · 15-07-2011, 03:19 AM

I have recently been told that if a Thai National is the registered owner of a car overseas for a number of years then said car can be imported in to Thailand and not be hit with the ridiculous import taxes usually associated with importing cars in to Thailand.

She's hopefully getting a little Audi TT in the New Year if everything goes to plan. We can leave it in storage while not in the UK so no problem with just hanging on to it until the compulsory ownership time has been passed and then can be shipped over.

Anyone know anything about this?

**isanmick** · 15-07-2011, 05:11 AM

And is the law the same for motor bikes ?

**madjbs** · 15-07-2011, 05:15 AM

Are there any restrictions in the UK on who can own a car? I'm guessing a Thai can just buy one on a 6 month visit visa? I wonder if they check when you import the car if you were actually in the UK for the compulsory ownership period.

**peterpan** · 15-07-2011, 06:22 AM

you have to own and (in theory) use for two yrs, the wife must have a DL during the period of ownership.

**Thormaturge** · 15-07-2011, 06:33 AM

Given that a substantial number of cars here are owned by Thai's, and have been im,ported at some point, I suspect this is rubbish. There is a provision whereby cars can be excused the import duty if they are brought in temporarily and then leave the country within 12 months, but I have never heard of a two-tier tax system for Farangs and Thai's.

**Butterfly** · 15-07-2011, 07:26 AM

Originally Posted by English Noodles

I have recently been told that if a Thai National is the registered owner of a car overseas for a number of years then said car can be imported in to Thailand and not be hit with the ridiculous import taxes usually associated with importing cars in to Thailand.

yes that's correct, but only in Theory

in reality, the custom officials will ask for their usual bribe and deny entry for the car without that bribe. The point is they want to "steal" your car and sell it for themselves so their demands would be impossible to meet.

car imports is a hot topic in the custom department, so do not try them

**sabang** · 15-07-2011, 01:03 PM

^ Not really. Sure, a 'bribe' is the norm, but they don't stop you bringing your stuff in.
I sent all our stuff here via container, in my wifes name as a returning Thai- and it was a doddle.
Wish I'd known then what I know now, I would have brought the car too, as well as a quad bike, some kayaks, and other good stuff I left behind out of fear of the infamous Thai customs people.

**Thormaturge** · 15-07-2011, 01:07 PM

^
Are you referring to items originally bought in Thailand, exported, and then brought back here, or to items originally purchased overseas? There would be a difference in treatment.

**sabang** · 15-07-2011, 02:03 PM

Originally Posted by Thormaturge

to items originally purchased overseas

^ Them.

**Thormaturge** · 15-07-2011, 02:31 PM

^ There are specific rules concerning the importation of cars as opposed to other used items, and this is probably why your experience and Butterfly's post differ. I'll look them up over the weekend and see what I can make of this.

**Travelmate** · 15-07-2011, 02:46 PM

Why not learn first hand Noodles?
Bring the car in.
Was it necessary to mention it's an Audi TT? I doubt it.
But customs will like it and will sting you accordingly. ( hopefully)

**FailSafe** · 15-07-2011, 02:48 PM

Originally Posted by Travelmate

Was it necessary to mention it's an Audi TT?

Why not? In a thread like this, it's totally appropriate to mention the type of car it is- nice little runabout.

**sabang** · 15-07-2011, 02:48 PM

Originally Posted by Travelmate

Was it necessary to mention it's an Audi TT? I doubt it.

It has Embarassment value.

**Thormaturge** · 15-07-2011, 02:54 PM

^ Tell them it is the latest version of a VW Beetle. Could save a lot on import duties...

**English Noodles** · 15-07-2011, 05:24 PM

Originally Posted by Travelmate

Was it necessary to mention it's an Audi TT? I doubt it.

The point of mentioning it was to highlight the cost difference between the car in the UK and the car in Thailand. Will be paying around the 500K Thai Baht equivalent in the UK for it.

**jandajoy** · 15-07-2011, 05:28 PM

I believe you can do this. We looked into importing our vehicle from Aus. The only sensible way was for it to be in the wife's' name for 2 years in Aus. Well, that's what we were told anyway.

What actually happens when face to face with the customs blokes is another story.

**Jesus Jones** · 15-07-2011, 05:47 PM

Originally Posted by Travelmate

Why not learn first hand Noodles?
Bring the car in.
Was it necessary to mention it's an Audi TT? I doubt it.
But customs will like it and will sting you accordingly. ( hopefully)

,

Oh, the irony!

**peterpan** · 15-07-2011, 06:06 PM

Originally Posted by Travelmate

Was it necessary to mention it's an Audi TT? I doubt it.
( hopefully)

Of course it was necessary to mention the brand. couldn't have people thinking noodles ol' lady driving around in Mondeo or some such similar offal,

**Jesus Jones** · 15-07-2011, 06:09 PM

Originally Posted by peterpan

Originally Posted by Travelmate

Was it necessary to mention it's an Audi TT? I doubt it.
( hopefully)

Of course it was necessary to mention the brand. couldn't have people thinking noodles ol' lady driving around in Mondeo or some such similar offal,

Mondeo any day. ST220 though.

**crippen** · 15-07-2011, 06:15 PM

Originally Posted by jandajoy

What actually happens when face to face with the customs blokes is another story.

**jandajoy** · 15-07-2011, 06:20 PM

^indeed.

**English Noodles** · 15-07-2011, 06:53 PM

Oh well, have called the Thai customs dept and they have said that on a car valued at B500,000 using the Parkers car price guide then the tax payable would come to a total of B627,500 and if has been owned for a period of 24 months there will be a deduction of 26.67% making the total payable to them B460,146 and then you need to pay for registration etc.

**Travelmate** · 15-07-2011, 06:58 PM

Anyhoo
I would take Noodles lame boast with a pnch of salt. Same goes for JJ who actually have not done it yet.
I deal with customs practically on a monthly basis. Last duty & tax paid was in excess of TB5,000,000/- which is fine if you expect it to be so.
However!
Customs do throw a fit now & again. Last year I was shocked beyond belief when customs demanded an import duty value way beyond the reasonable value of intended cargo.
You can go blue n the face. It won't budge.
Therefore I have informed customs to watch out for a grossly underpriced Audi in a couple if years from now.

**English Noodles** · 15-07-2011, 07:01 PM

Originally Posted by Travelmate

I would take Noodles lame boast with a pnch of salt. Same goes for JJ who actually have not done it yet.

What on earth are you talking about?

Originally Posted by Travelmate

Therefore I have informed customs to watch out for a grossly underpriced Audi in a couple if years from now.

Of course you did, and they understood your bargirl Thai perfectly and knew you were to be taken seriously.

**FailSafe** · 15-07-2011, 07:08 PM

If you like nice/fast cars, Thailand is a tough country in which to live.

You can buy a 400+hp car in the States for just ~1mil baht- you sure can't do that here.

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