Leaving Thailand...without Motobike
 

Hello
Me and my Girlfriend bought two Minsk in Vietnam and drove down all the way from Hanoi through Laos to Koh Panghan. We never had any Problems to cross Borders with our funny Vietnamese Documents. But when we entered Thailand we had to fill in a Customs-Import-Form. There it says that we have to re-export the Bikes again before the 17. of January. The fine would be 120 000 Baht if we're to late. But what we actually planned to do before, was selling the Bikes here in Thailand. What happens if we leave the Country whithout the Minsk and just throw the Custom-Form in the bin? Does anyone know if we're registratet in a Computer which is also conected whith the Customs at the airport or do they just use local PCs? If not, we would just sell them for any amount or give them away for free and fly back home to Liechtenstein.
I would be happy for some advice and tips. The 17. is coming soon...

Thank you very much. David

Welcome to the HUBB!

Did the bikes get recorded in your passports?

Hello again

No. There is no Stamp or anything like that in our Passports. But we had to fill in a Customs-Import Form when we crossed Border from Laos to Thailand. They typed the Form in a Computer. So we're a bit worried that they're conected with the Customs in Bangkok airport and we could get Problems when leaving Thailand without the bikes.
Has anyone tried this before?
Thanks in advance. david

I flew out BKK in Oct. last year. Without my bike! (came later by ship). Nobody asked me for the bike. I had a small white form, which was clipped to my passport. I took it out, just to prevent any silly questions. You might have any problems when you wanna go back to Thailand sometime.. But there won't be any problems leaving (also a friend of mine left without bike just a couple of weeks earlier, no probs)

If you want to get rid of them, I can help. But to be honest, when I used to ride up from Singapore, I was told if I didn't re-exit in 29 days, there would be a daily fine then the possibility of seizure until the duty was paid. I'll try and find out more tomorrow. Don't want to alarm you, but on Bikes and stuff they are pretty strict..

Muzz

David,

In fact, when I flew to Hong Kong for a business trip, when my Beemer was here, I didn't have to leave with the bike, so you should be OK. It may just be a problem getting the bikes out again.....

Muzz

Check out www.gt-rider.com for local Thai info.
You will have no problem leaving (flying) Thailand without your bikes. You can not legally sell them in Thailand. If you do sell them they will probably be confiscated from the new owners eventually, either at a road check or upon trying to re-export them.Thai customs keep pretty good records of imported bikes (customs import form) and there is a daily fine for overstaying the 30day limit. Your best bet is to take them into Laos or Cambodia and sell them there, then bus back to BK... or give them to a local. Cheers

Read that you bought bikes in Hanoi. How did you manage to do this in your own names, as foreigners? Did you have a special "resident" visa, or some kind other than tourist?

We are planning visit this fall and would like to buy bikes. (In Thailand last year we had to get a local to register it in his name, but that prevents crossing borders.0

Would appreciate knowing your strategy.

Bozoguy