Government to ban used car imports

[buksida]

The government looks set to ban the import of used cars, claiming the move will protect the environment and curb air pollution in the country.

Acting Commerce Minister Chutima Bunyapraphasara said the ministry is improving regulations on imported used cars after discussing the matter with related state agencies 15 times.

The ban would focus largely on the imports of used personal cars, excluding the imports of used crane trucks, those for official and private enterprises, ambulances, fire trucks, or imports meant for re-export.

Used cars imported for diplomatic purposes are supervised by the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

Imports of used personal cars to Thailand are not significant, with only 100 units reported to the Customs Department last year.

She said there may be a great number of used cars smuggled for sale into the country.

Source: https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/ne ... ban-coming

[mwbrown]

The cost and corruption involved in importing a used car stops most attempts before they begin.

I've been trying to bring my electric-converted Porsche 914 over, I can't afford it or take the risk. Unless I get special dispensation for being electric, it might never happen.

[StevePIraq]

No mention of banning the importation of used motorbikes which is quite a big market with most coming from Japan.

[RCer]

No mention of banning the importation of used motorbikes which is quite a big market with most coming from Japan.

Importing used motorbikes has been banned for several years.

[HHTel]

I'm not sure your correct on that Rcer. There are plenty of stories of people permanently importing their bikes here recently. The laws were changed regarding temporary import of bikes as far as I know.

[caller]

She said there may be a great number of used cars smuggled for sale into the country.

Including those that arrive as parts.

This statement does rather raise the question of how they get here and why they are not detected? If not in parts, then they have to arrive as cargo or across a border. Again, they need to look more closely at those whose responsibilty it is to deal with such crimes.

[RCer]

I'm not sure your correct on that Rcer. There are plenty of stories of people permanently importing their bikes here recently. The laws were changed regarding temporary import of bikes as far as I know.

Could be. I know that if you want to import your bike from home, you need to pay a huge duty far exceeding the value of the bike.

Also, one needs to be very careful about buying second hand Harley's at a to good to be true price. Typically they were cut in half by customs before allowed in the country.

Guess I see that a being banned.

[RCer]

I have to wonder if the blanket ban on imports of used cars is not being done so as not embarrass their neighboring countries. Most if which have polluting pigs of cars on the roads vs imports from places like UK and US with stringent emissions controls.

[Nereus]

https://property.bangkokpost.com/news/1 ... r-mortgage

The cabinet yesterday also banned the import of second-hand cars, aiming to reduce environmental harm.
The Commerce Ministry will announce the ban of used vehicles, including buses, pickups, passenger cars and tractors. Ambulances and locomotives are exempt from the ban.

[Nereus]

Used-car import ban takes effect Dec 10

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... ect-dec-10

Imports of second-hand vehicles will no longer be allowed after Dec 9 this year as authorities step up curbs on fraud, irregularities, corruption and pollution, according to the Commerce Ministry.

Currently, people can bring in used cars from abroad but they have to apply for import permits from the ministry first.
The ministerial order on the ban, published in the Royal Gazette on June 13, takes effect 180 days later, or on Dec 10.

The change aims to address evasion of control measures, fraud and document forgery. Other reasons are to simplify procedures, mitigate dirt pollution and improve road safety.

Adul Chotinisakorn, director-general of the ministry’s Foreign Trade Department, told Thai media on Tuesday the ministry’s announcement classifying used vehicles as prohibited goods whose imports must be approved first would take effect soon.

For imports of other types of second-hand vehicles, the ministry will transfer the approving mandate to other related agencies.

He said people seeking to briung in used vehicles from abroad must import them by Dec 9. “If all papers are in order, the department will take no more than 25 days to make the decisions.”

He said an importer had to obtain a permit before bringing the vehicle into the country and the permit would be good only until Dec 9.

Currently, second-hand vehicles are goods subjected to the ministry’s import control, a senior ministerial official said in late February.

Of the personal car category, 95% are luxury ones and only 100 sought permission to import them.

The ministry estimates at least 1,000 second-hand cars are smuggled or imported as parts to be reassembled in the country each year. Besides, the vehicles usually involve criminal activities such as drugs and money-laundering.

[Spitfire]

I read that Vietnam has just signed a free trade deal with the EU. This could have big implications on many Thai exporters of all kinds. Thailand used to be a good hub of manufacturing of many things, but looks like the ship has sailed due to economic incompetence and a silly high baht. When it comes to international manufacturing companies, then they will let it slide so far ... but eventually there comes a tipping point where it becomes more profitable to relocate elsewhere, where the deal is good, or the next cheap place ... normal practice, and Thailand is not immune to this.

As for trade deals, the EU will never sign one so fast with Thailand as many issues would need sorting and it would be painful for the Thai government to meet the requirements. I reckon they will just go the easy way, which is accepting the massive inflows of money from China to make things OK and progress ... but there is a trap/caveat, which is they own you.