Import Your Car to Thailand with Ease
Whether you’re relocating to Thailand and bringing your car along or need to import your vehicle while moving your personal belongings, we handle the entire process for you. At Siam Shipping, we help make the transition smooth and stress-free for those relocating to Thailand with their cars.
Note : This service is only available when you are relocating your household items with your car.
Why Import a Car to Thailand?
Importing a vehicle to Thailand can save you money compared to buying a new one locally. However, it is a complex process that requires navigating customs regulations, taxes, and proper documentation. Siam Shipping makes this easier by handling all the paperwork, taxes, and logistics, ensuring your car is imported and registered correctly.
Relocation Only
We help with car imports only in the context of relocation. If you are moving to Thailand and need to bring your car along with your other household goods, we’re here to assist.
Full Service
From customs clearance to transportation and final registration, we manage all steps involved in importing your car to Thailand.
Expert Handling
Get full support with documentation, vehicle inspection, and re-exportation if necessary.
Process for Importing Your Car to Thailand
If your car is only staying in Thailand for up to 6 months, you can temporarily import it without paying duty. Required documents include: Vehicle Registration, International Driving License, and Proforma Invoice.
Important: This is only available if you're relocating with your household goods.
Permanent import is available for cars, provided the vehicle is used, and you meet certain criteria (e.g., residing in Thailand for over a year).
SIAM Tip: Ensure you have a valid import permit and all documentation to avoid customs fines.
We guide you through the customs clearance process at the port of entry. Our team ensures all paperwork is submitted and taxes are paid.
Duty and taxes are calculated based on the CIF (Cost, Insurance, and Freight) value. Import duty can be up to 200%, and taxes depend on your vehicle’s engine capacity and value.
Note: As a part of relocation, we help minimize these costs by handling all logistics and documentation for you.
Ready to import your car as part of your relocation?
Contact us now to learn more about our car import services. We're here to ensure a smooth process for you, every step of the way!
How to Import a car to Thailand?
Importing a vehicle in Thailand is anything except an easy task to accomplish. You will have to achieve a sizable paperwork, no matter of the type of vehicle and purpose of this import. Depending on the time you need your vehicle to stay in the territory of Thailand, you can be dutiable to pay zero to 200% of the value of your vehicle.
Also, because of the import taxes policy, you must know that the prices of foreign new cars in the Thai dealership are almost doubled comparing to their place of origin. For example, a new Mercedes E Class costs 46 850 € in Germany, while in Thailand it costs 92 691 €.
Now that you have a global idea of the Thai legislation in terms of vehicle importation, let’s study your personal case precisely, to see what is needed to be done.
Temporary Import of Personal Vehicle
If your vehicle (motor vehicle, motorcycle, yacht, sports boat, fishing boat…) is aiming to stay for a period of 1-2 months, but not exceeding 6 months, you will not have to pay any duty.
The necessary documents are the following:
- A Special Goods Declaration and 5 copies of it
- A Vehicle Registration Certificate
- The international driving license, the passport and the ID card of the pilot of the vehicle
- If the pilot and the owner of the vehicle are two different persons, a Letter of Attorney should be provided
- The well-completed application form
- A proforma invoice to testify the purchase of the vehicle
- A Certificate of Legal Entity
- A re-export Contract
- Any other applicable documents
Clearance process
- Your agent / The importer transmits all the record to the Customs office at the port of entry. Furthermore, passengers, luggage, vehicle’s accessories must be declared simultaneously at the Customs.
- Customs checks the record, assigns a Declaration number, and then implements a bank guarantee or a cash deposit that covers the duties and responsibilities.
- Your agent / The importer positions the money or bank guarantee in a cashier desk.
Deposit of Guarantee
There are two forms of deposit of guarantee, a bank guarantee or a cash deposit. The amount of money evaluated by Customs is based on all duties and taxes to be paid to Customs. The agent/importer should provide Customs with a document testifying that the guarantee is deposited.
An exception is made for motorcycles imported via the Suvarnabhumi International Airport Cargo Clearance Customs Office or the Bangkok Port Customs Office. In that situation, the importer can position himself as a guarantee. In this objective, the importer must ask his Embassy to provide Customs with a letter approving its self-guarantee.
In order to optimize our services, Siam Shipping and Siam Relocation are now part of the Docshipper group. Our customers can now benefit from total supply chain coverage. Therefore, Siam Shipping team became Docshipper team
Remark Docshipper
After inspecting the vehicle and belongings, Customs provides a duplicate of the Simplified Goods Declaration to the agent/importer, that must hold it until the exportation of the vehicle.
Procedures for exporting back the vehicles
- The agent/exporter returns the duplicate of the Simplified Goods Declaration to the Customs desk at the port of exit.
- The belongings and vehicle are inspected again and recorded for the exportation.
- The import registration is suppressed, and the bank guarantee/cash deposit is given back to the agent/exporter.
- If the exportation within the deadline established in the bond and security paper is failed, the total amount of bank guarantee/cash deposit will be fully imposed by Customs.
Imposition of Guarantee
The full amount of guarantee deposited will be imposed by customs if the time-limit is exceeded, or if the importer testifies that he doesn’t wish to export back the vehicle.
SIAM Shipping Info
If the vehicle, motorcycle, boat, vessel… is not re-exported, and if the importer testifies that he had not the intention to violate the legislation, a daily fine of 1,000 Baht, but not exceeding 10,000 Baht in total will be charged for each days of over-staying.
If the importer is wanting to extend the staying of his vehicle, Customs may allow an up to six months-time-limit extensions. For all exceptional occurrence, like engine accident or breakage… an extension of 6 to 8 months from the date of importation may be attributed. All this should be made at a Customs office.
Remark Docshipper
All foreign boats used for sports or pleasure (yachts/sports boats…) and not for scientific research, commercial or military purposes, must be declared upon arrival and departure to Customs. Foreign fishing vessels also.
Permanent Import of Personal Vehicle
All categories of new vehicles that aren’t yet registered overseas can be imported without an import permit issued by the Ministry of Commerce. If the vehicle is weighing less than 3500 Kgs, an import permit from the Industrial Standard Institute is required.
Remark Docshipper
Second hand/used vehicles importation requires an import permit provided by the Foreign Trade Department of the Ministry of Commerce before the arrival of the vehicles, Tel. 02-5474804. Or else, a fine amounting 10 percent of the vehicle value will be charged to the importer. If the vehicle is weighing less than 3500 Kgs, an import permit from the Industrial Standard Institute is required as well.
Requirements for a Used/Second hand Vehicle Permanent Import
- Only one second hand/used vehicle can be imported by the importer for personal purpose.
- If he or she is a non-resident, the importer must stay in Thailand for one year minimum, and present work-permit and a non-immigrant visa.
- If he or she is a Thai resident marrying a foreigner, the importer must provide documents testifying of marriage and change of residence to Thailand. He also must possess the imported vehicle for minimum one year and a half before the arrival date in Thailand.
- If he or she is a Thai resident, the importer can import a vehicle only at the same time of the change of residence. He also must own the vehicle for a year and a half at minimum, before moving to Thailand.
Documents required
General documentation:
- An Import Goods Declaration and 3 copies;
- An Airway Bill or Bill of Lading
- An evidence of the vehicle purchase
- A Release Order (Kor Sor Kor 100/1)
- An insurance premium invoice
- Any other valuable documents
Further documentation for second hand/used personal vehicles:
- ID Card and Certificate of residence
- If it’s a change of residence, a Passport
- A Vehicle Registration Certificate
- An Import Permit
Import Clearance Procedures
- The agent/importer provides to the Customs desk at the port of entry the Import Goods Declaration with all the necessary documents
- All the documents are checked, a Goods Declaration number is given, the Customs evaluates the applying duties and taxes
- The agent/importer pays the taxes and duties at a Cashier Office
- The agent/importer provides the receipt of the deposit to a Customs office
- The vehicle is freed from the Customs warehouse
Duty and Tax Calculation
- The considered value of the vehicles imported are their CIF value
- In case that the purchase price remains undetermined, a 25% devaluation on the “Parkers Car Price Guide and Japanese Car” prices are occurred as a FOB value
- Any enhancement or modification on the vehicle is well-noted to calculate its value
- If any occurrence has damaged the vehicle, it will be considered in the vehicle’s value calculation
For second hand/used vehicles the value is devaluated according to this method shown below:
| Discount Rates for Second Hand/Used Vehicles | ||||||||
| 1 | Registration Period | Not exceeding | – | 2 months | But not exceeding | – | – | 2.5 % Discount |
| 2 | Registration Period | Exceeding | – | 2 months | But not exceeding | – | 4 months | 5 % Discount |
| 3 | Registration Period | Exceeding | – | 4 months | But not exceeding | – | 6 months | 7.5 % Discount |
| 4 | Registration Period | Exceeding | – | 6 months | But not exceeding | – | 8 months | 10 % Discount |
| 5 | Registration Period | Exceeding | – | 8 months | But not exceeding | – | 10 months | 12.50 % Discount |
| 6 | Registration Period | Exceeding | – | 10 months | But not exceeding | 1 year | – | 15.00 % Discount |
| 7 | Registration Period | Exceeding | 1 year | – | But not exceeding | 1 year | 2 months | 16.67 % Discount |
| 8 | Registration Period | Exceeding | 1 year | 2 months | But not exceeding | 1 year | 4 months | 18.33 % Discount |
| 9 | Registration Period | Exceeding | 1 year | 4 months | But not exceeding | 1 year | 6 months | 20.00 % Discount |
| 10 | Registration Period | Exceeding | 1 year | 6 months | But not exceeding | 1 year | 8 months | 21.67 % Discount |
| 11 | Registration Period | Exceeding | 1 year | 8 months | But not exceeding | 1 year | 10 months | 23.33 % Discount |
| 12 | Registration Period | Exceeding | 1 year | 10 months | But not exceeding | 2 years | – | 25.00 % Discount |
| 13 | Registration Period | Exceeding | 2 years | – | But not exceeding | 2 years | 2 months | 26.67 % Discount |
| 14 | Registration Period | Exceeding | 2 years | 2 months | But not exceeding | 2 years | 4 months | 28.33 % Discount |
| 15 | Registration Period | Exceeding | 2 years | 4 months | But not exceeding | 2 years | 6 months | 30.00 % Discount |
| 16 | Registration Period | Exceeding | 2 years | 6 months | But not exceeding | 2 years | 8 months | 31.67 % Discount |
| 17 | Registration Period | Exceeding | 2 years | 8 months | But not exceeding | 2 years | 10 months | 33.33 % Discount |
| 18 | Registration Period | Exceeding | 2 years | 10 months | But not exceeding | 3 years | – | 35.00 % Discount |
| 19 | Registration Period | Exceeding | 3 years | – | But not exceeding | 3 years | 2 months | 36.67 % Discount |
| 20 | Registration Period | Exceeding | 3 years | 2 months | But not exceeding | 3 years | 4 months | 38.33 % Discount |
| 21 | Registration Period | Exceeding | 3 years | 4 months | But not exceeding | 3 years | 6 months | 40.00 % Discount |
| 22 | Registration Period | Exceeding | 3 years | 6 months | But not exceeding | 3 years | 8 months | 41.67 % Discount |
| 23 | Registration Period | Exceeding | 3 years | 8 months | But not exceeding | 3 years | 10 months | 43.33 % Discount |
| 24 | Registration Period | Exceeding | 3 years | 10 months | But not exceeding | 4 years | – | 45.00 % Discount |
| 25 | Registration Period | Exceeding | 4 years | – | But not exceeding | 4 years | 2 months | 46.67 % Discount |
| 26 | Registration Period | Exceeding | 4 years | 2 months | But not exceeding | 4 years | 4 months | 48.33 % Discount |
| 27 | Registration Period | Exceeding | 4 years | 4 months | But not exceeding | 4 years | 6 months | 50.00 % Discount |
| 28 | Registration Period | Exceeding | 4 years | 6 months | But not exceeding | 4 years | 8 months | 51.67 % Discount |
| 29 | Registration Period | Exceeding | 4 years | 8 months | But not exceeding | 4 years | 10 months | 53.33 % Discount |
| 30 | Registration Period | Exceeding | 4 years | 10 months | But not exceeding | 5 years | – | 55.00 % Discount |
| 31 | Registration Period | Exceeding | 5 years | – | But not exceeding | 5 years | 2 months | 55.83 % Discount |
| 32 | Registration Period | Exceeding | 5 years | 2 months | But not exceeding | 5 years | 4 months | 56.67 % Discount |
| 33 | Registration Period | Exceeding | 5 years | 4 months | But not exceeding | 5 years | 6 months | 57.50 % Discount |
| 34 | Registration Period | Exceeding | 5 years | 6 months | But not exceeding | 5 years | 8 months | 58.33 % Discount |
| 35 | Registration Period | Exceeding | 5 years | 8 months | But not exceeding | 5 years | 10 months | 59.17 % Discount |
| 36 | Registration Period | Exceeding | 5 years | 10 months | But not exceeding | 6 years | – | 60.00 % Discount |
| 37 | Registration Period | Exceeding | 6 years | – | But not exceeding | 6 years | 2 months | 60.50 % Discount |
| 38 | Registration Period | Exceeding | 6 years | 2 months | But not exceeding | 6 years | 4 months | 61.00 % Discount |
| 39 | Registration Period | Exceeding | 6 years | 4 months | But not exceeding | 6 years | 6 months | 61.50 % Discount |
| 40 | Registration Period | Exceeding | 6 years | 6 months | But not exceeding | 6 years | 8 months | 62.00 % Discount |
| 41 | Registration Period | Exceeding | 6 years | 8 months | But not exceeding | 6 years | 10 months | 62.50 % Discount |
| 42 | Registration Period | Exceeding | 6 years | 10 months | But not exceeding | 7 years | – | 63.00 % Discount |
| 43 | Registration Period | Exceeding | 7 years | – | But not exceeding | 7 years | 2 months | 63.50 % Discount |
| 44 | Registration Period | Exceeding | 7 years | 2 months | But not exceeding | 7 years | 4 months | 64.00 % Discount |
| 45 | Registration Period | Exceeding | 7 years | 4 months | But not exceeding | 7 years | 6 months | 64.50 % Discount |
| 46 | Registration Period | Exceeding | 7 years | 6 months | But not exceeding | 7 years | 8 months | 65.00 % Discount |
| 47 | Registration Period | Exceeding | 7 years | 8 months | But not exceeding | 7 years | 10 months | 65.50 % Discount |
| 48 | Registration Period | Exceeding | 7 years | 10 months | But not exceeding | 8 years | – | 66.00 % Discount |
| 49 | Registration Period | Exceeding | 8 years | – | But not exceeding | 8 years | 2 months | 66.33 % Discount |
| 50 | Registration Period | Exceeding | 8 years | 2 months | But not exceeding | 8 years | 4 months | 66.67 % Discount |
| 51 | Registration Period | Exceeding | 8 years | 4 months | But not exceeding | 8 years | 6 months | 67.00 % Discount |
| 52 | Registration Period | Exceeding | 8 years | 6 months | But not exceeding | 8 years | 8 months | 67.33 % Discount |
| 53 | Registration Period | Exceeding | 8 years | 8 months | But not exceeding | 8 years | 10 months | 67.67 % Discount |
| 54 | Registration Period | Exceeding | 8 years | 10 months | But not exceeding | 9 years | – | 68.00 % Discount |
| 55 | Registration Period | Exceeding | 9 years | – | But not exceeding | 9 years | 2 months | 68.33 % Discount |
| 56 | Registration Period | Exceeding | 9 years | 2 months | But not exceeding | 9 years | 4 months | 68.67 % Discount |
| 57 | Registration Period | Exceeding | 9 years | 4 months | But not exceeding | 9 years | 6 months | 69.00 % Discount |
| 58 | Registration Period | Exceeding | 9 years | 6 months | But not exceeding | 9 years | 8 months | 69.33 % Discount |
| 59 | Registration Period | Exceeding | 9 years | 8 months | But not exceeding | 9 years | 10 months | 69.67 % Discount |
| 60 | Registration Period | Exceeding | 9 years | 10 months | But not exceeding | 10 years | – | 70.00 % Discount |
| 61 | Registration Period | Exceeding | 10 years | – | – | – | – | According to a condition of vehicle |
Insurance Cost
- If the insurance cost is paid before that the vehicle arrives, the same cost is applied
- If the cost of insurance isn’t available, it is evaluated at 1% of the FOB value (maybe different according to type of vehicles)
Transport cost
- The most expensive cost of the same model and brand of vehicle imported in the last six months will serve as a value
- The most expensive cost of the different model of vehicle imported in the last six months, considering the vehicle category, weight and provenance, will serve as a value
- The higher cost is retained
- If it’s an air import, the actual transport cost is retained
- If the transport costs detailed above are not findable, the cost is evaluated at 10% of the FOB value
- The interior tax is evaluated at 10% of the Excise tax
Table of Tax and Duty Rates:
| Category of Vehicle | Cylinder Capacity | Duty (%) | Excise Tax (%) (Multiplier) | Interior Tax (%)* | VAT (%) | Total (%) |
Personal Vehicle including passenger vehicle with no more than 10 seats | Not exceeding 2000 cc. and not more than 220 horse power | 80 | 30 (0.4477612) | 10 | 7 | 187.47 |
| 2001 cc. but not exceeding 2500 cc. and not more than 220 horse power | 80 | 35 (0.5691057) | 10 | 7 | 213.171 | |
| 2501 cc. or but not exceeding 3000 cc. with not more than 220 horse power | 80 | 40 (0.7142857) | 10 | 7 | 243.94 | |
| Exceeding 3000 cc. or more than 220 horse power | 80 | 50 (1.1111111) | 10 | 7 | 328 |
Here is how the duties and taxes on your import are calculated:
Import CIF value = 100 Bath Import duty = 80%
Excise tax = 35%
Internal tax = 10% VAT excise tax = 7%
The total import duties and taxes imposed on this import are calculated as the following examples:
1. Import duty = (CIF value * Import duty rate)
= (100 * 0.8) = 80 Thai Baht
2. Excise tax = (CIF value + import duty) * {Excise tax rate / 1- (1.1 * Excise tax rate)}
= (100 + 80) * {0.35 / 1- (1.1 * 0.35)} = 180 * 0.5691057 = 102,439 Thai Baht
3. Domestic Tax = Excise Tax * Domestic Tax Rate
= 102.439 * 0.1 = 10.2439 Thai baht
4. Basic VAT = (CIF value + import duty + excise tax + domestic tax)
= (100 + 80 + 102.439 + 10.2439) = 292.6829 Thai baht
5. VAT = basic VAT * VAT rate
= 292.6829 * 0.07 = 20.4878 Thai baht
Total customs duties = 1 + 2 + 3 + 5 = 213.171 THB
Additional Information
| Category of Vehicle | Cylinder Capacity | Duty (%) | Total (%) |
Motor Vehicle (Tariff Heading 87.03) | Not exceeding 2000 cc. | 80 | 188 |
| 2001 cc. but not exceeding 2500 cc. | 80 | 213 | |
| 2501 cc. or but not exceeding 3000 cc. | 80 | 244 | |
| More than 3001 cc. | 80 | 328 | |
Motorbike (Tariff Heading 87.11) | 60 | 77.04 | |
Electric Motorbike | 60 | 72 | |
| Electric Bicycle | 60 | 72 |
SIAM Shipping Info
- Duties and taxes of a motor bike or vehicle = Customs duty + excise tax + interior tax + 7% of VAT
- Duties and taxes of electric motorbikes and bicycle = Customs duty + 7% of VAT
- The importation of second hand or used motor vehicles and motorbikes requires an import permit from the Foreign Trade Department.