Riding a foreign registered bike in LOS

hs0zfe · Jun 21, 2010

Hello,

I have some questions about temporary import & use of one's bike on foreign plates and shipping agents.
My searches were unsuccessful, although I recall reading something here...

The bike is in San Diego.

Q1: price of sea freight vs air cargo?

Q2: Is it true that one can get a temporary permit for a month, with a 2,000 Baht fine for 6 months? Before those 6 months are up, th ebike needs to leave Thailand again?

Q3: How long can this be kept up - on foreign plates, with Thai insurance, of course?

Q4: would it boil down to a ride to a border town like Aranyaprethet every 6 months?

www.cycletrader.com has some fabulous deals :happy1: :happy1:

Ride on,
Chris

hs0zfe · Jun 26, 2010

Thanks - much appreciated!

:happy2: Chris

roaddhist · Jun 27, 2010

Hi Chris,
When I checked recently, picked up, crated and shipped in a container to Bangkok from L.A. was, as Phil quoted, $1200.
The only thing I can add is that one person I met that shipped his bike from the 'States found it easier to ship the bike to Penang in Malaysia and ride it across the border than to ship it to Bangkok-either because of cost or paperwork-but I'm sorry to report that I forgot exactly why. Note to self- Just thinking that this may be a relaxed way to eventually make an imported bike legal in Thailand-pay the customs tax and get it registered at one's leisure after the bike is already here or keep it foreign plated if the customs tax assessment and registration are too high.

bill · Jun 27, 2010

roaddhist wrote: Hi Chris,
When I checked recently, picked up, crated and shipped in a container to Bangkok from L.A. was, as Phil quoted, $1200.
The only thing I can add is that one person I met that shipped his bike from the 'States found it easier to ship the bike to Penang in Malaysia and ride it across the border than to ship it to Bangkok-either because of cost or paperwork-but I'm sorry to report that I forgot exactly why. Note to self- Just thinking that this may be a relaxed way to eventually make an imported bike legal in Thailand-pay the customs tax and get it registered at one's leisure after the bike is already here or keep it foreign plated if the customs tax assessment and registration are too high.

Following link recommends Penang and warns against using Klong Toey Port of Bangkok.

https://www.gt-rider.com/motorcycles-in- ... o-thailand

Is that still the case ?

roaddhist · Jun 28, 2010

Thanks Bill. I bookmarked that page this time to remind me why I don't want to import one of those cheap used bikes from the 'States.

bill · Jun 28, 2010

Wrt shipping costs, in 2009 I was quoted a total of AUD395 to ship a new DRZ400E from Brisbane to Cambodia. This was based on the original crate size of 1.3 cubic meter.

Ultimately I didn't go thru with it due to the very high import tax on brand new bikes coming into Cambodia.

Had I known of the temporary import option in Malaysia or Thailand, I might have registered the new bike in Australia prior to shipping it to M or T.
I guess it would then be a case of riding it to Cambo, perhaps thru a quiet border like Pailin, and eventually getting a fixer to arrange legal papers for it.

Oh well, maybe next time, would love a new KTM as my next bike.

hs0zfe · Jul 2, 2010

The company I asked uses JFK for a hub and a BMW 1200 cc would cost around $ 2,200 plus fees for this and that. Progressive has cheap big bike insurance... But then, I'll do some reading, thanks for the links.

I would hate having Excise officials track me down and play their games. for me, the big Q is cui bono?

Are they just very conscientious, checking out expensive bikes? Or is there some tea money in it for them?

YMMV, but my own experience with unformed scoundrels is not fit to be printed. Once they escorted me to an ATM and after 18,700 Baht was paid (receipts are for real men and those might have opted for the threatened "70 days in jail without seeing a consular rep or attorney") it turned out a fabrication. No real Police... Just a damned shake down.

Hope the GT Rider will soon offer some legal insurance for bikers as one day each of us will surely need an attorney!

Ride on,
Chris

DavidFL · Jul 2, 2010

bill wrote: [quote quote=roaddhist]Hi Chris,
When I checked recently, picked up, crated and shipped in a container to Bangkok from L.A. was, as Phil quoted, $1200.
The only thing I can add is that one person I met that shipped his bike from the 'States found it easier to ship the bike to Penang in Malaysia and ride it across the border than to ship it to Bangkok-either because of cost or paperwork-but I'm sorry to report that I forgot exactly why. Note to self- Just thinking that this may be a relaxed way to eventually make an imported bike legal in Thailand-pay the customs tax and get it registered at one's leisure after the bike is already here or keep it foreign plated if the customs tax assessment and registration are too high.

Following link recommends Penang and warns against using Klong Toey Port of Bangkok.

https://www.gt-rider.com/motorcycles-in- ... o-thailand

Is that still the case ?
Yes, I think that you will find only a few guys have ever succeeded in importing their bikes successfully via Klong Toey.
Backdoorphil shipped his KTM in via Klong Toey though.
The easiest way always seems to be ship them into Malaysia - either Port Klang (for KL) or Penang.
The Horizons Unlimited site should have lots on info & tips for shipping into Malaysia.