46. MOTORBIKES FROM THAILAND. How do I import a motorcycle from Thailand?

In Thailand a Honda Wave 125 costs around £600, compared to £1,800 asked for the equivalent motorcycle in the UK. A Yamaha M10 125 is about £700 v/s £2,100 in the UK. Royston Watkins explains the process for importing a Thai Honda Wave to the UK.

Two ways to do it: Either (1) purchase a 1yr resident visa (7600bht = £112 ). Or (2) Get a signed form from the British Embassy to state that where you are staying is your residence (1760bht = £26 ). It does not matter where your staying. Then you have to take that to the motorcycle dealer so you can buy the bike. Then the dealer has to contact the registration dept to de-registar the bike as it is going out of the country and all this has to be done in your name. If that finally all goes through without a hitch the shipper then can collect the bike, and the cost for shipping is $50 per cubic mtr (bike = 1.5cu mtr, so say £50). Customs documentation and handling charge 1st cu mtr 9900baht, next cub mtr 2500baht, insurance premium 825baht, plus 7% VAT = 14,150bht = £208. Then if that all goes well it has to match up with the documentation from UK customs and excise form C384, and then to pay for handling charges in the UK. Below is the letter from UK customs.

The charges applicable to the importation of a 100cc motorcycle from Thailand would be customs duty at 8% and import VAT at the standard rate of 17.5%.

Charges would be based on the Purchase Price Paid Abroad plus the costs involved in transporting the motorcycle to the EU, or the wholesale value in the UK, depending on the age of the motorcycle when purchased, and how long after purchase it is imported.

As a general rule, for new (less than 12 months old when purchased and used (more than 12 months old when purchased) motorcycles imported within one month of purchase, charges would usually be based on the purchase price paid abroad plus the costs involved (e.g. freight, insurance) in transporting the motorcycle to the point of entry to the EU (supported by documentary evidence, where possible).

In this event, the customs duty rate is applied to the total of the cost of the goods (as supported by the purchase invoice), plus the freight and insurance charges to the UK.

The VAT rate is applied to the total of the above plus the customs duty amount.

Should the motorcycle be imported with no evidence of the purchase price then charges would be based on a UK wholesale value.

The motorcycle should be declared on Customs Form C384 – Motor vehicle for private use imported from outside the European Community.

Total costs

Motorcycle at 42,000 baht £617
Residence form 1,760 baht £26
Shipping $75 = £50
Customs documentation, etc £208
Taxable Cost £875
8% Euro import duty £70
17.5% UK VAT £166
Registration tax £38

Total Cost £1,175