marquess Posted May 10, 2021 Share Posted May 10, 2021 Hi Everyone, I exploring the possibility of importing a Yamaha C6 second hand. I have heard many unfortunate stories concerning customs, has any one had any experience of importing such an item? Also what is the standard rate of duty? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crossy Posted May 10, 2021 Share Posted May 10, 2021 Your piano should attract 10% duty plus 7% VAT on the CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight) value using HS code 9201.20.0000 (grand pianos). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marquess Posted May 10, 2021 Author Share Posted May 10, 2021 2 minutes ago, Crossy said: Your piano should attract 10% duty plus 7% VAT on the CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight) value using HS code 9201.20.0000 (grand pianos). Thanks for the answer, is this usually strictly applied? So if I buy for 600k pay 100k for transport I am looking at paying 70k for duty and vat around 52k. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crossy Posted May 10, 2021 Share Posted May 10, 2021 7 minutes ago, marquess said: Thanks for the answer, is this usually strictly applied? So if I buy for 600k pay 100k for transport I am looking at paying 70k for duty and vat around 52k. Don't forget to factor in the insurance cost too, duty on CIF then VAT on everything ???? With a decent transport company and the correct paperwork you are unlikely to get seriously stuffed. Where are you importing from, the rates may be different depending upon origin? You can do up to 5 free calculations per day here https://www.simplyduty.com/import-calculator/ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marquess Posted May 10, 2021 Author Share Posted May 10, 2021 I am thinking of importing from America, there's a company called the Pianooutlet that do a through refurbishment on second Yamaha pianos. I haven't seen anything here that comes up to that standard. Also the choice of models is more varied. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post DavidH555 Posted May 10, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted May 10, 2021 Tough times for musos in Thailand. If life continues this way you might be come across a second hand Steinway . 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackcab Posted May 10, 2021 Share Posted May 10, 2021 35 minutes ago, marquess said: ...is this usually strictly applied? Very strictly. Do not be surprised if Customs require sight of your original passport aswell. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marquess Posted May 10, 2021 Author Share Posted May 10, 2021 8 minutes ago, blackcab said: Very strictly. Do not be surprised if Customs require sight of your original passport aswell. I've no problem with that, I just hope that there's no arbitrary interpretation of the rules to suit themselves. Is there any particular recommendation for shipping company? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackcab Posted May 10, 2021 Share Posted May 10, 2021 Shipping would be handled by the sender in the US. What you need is a Thai customs agent who (if necessary) can get you registered with paperless Customs in advance to reduce the amount of time it takes to clear the goods once they are landed. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marquess Posted May 10, 2021 Author Share Posted May 10, 2021 2 minutes ago, blackcab said: Shipping would be handled by the sender in the US. What you need is a Thai customs agent who (if necessary) can get you registered with paperless Customs in advance to reduce the amount of time it takes to clear the goods once they are landed. What is the cost of such an agent? What's the normal clearing time for goods with and without the agent? Thanks in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post blackcab Posted May 10, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted May 10, 2021 1 or 2 thousand baht. Time frame depends if you are registered with paperless customs in advance. If you are you should have the piano within about 1 week. The agent will also be able to source transport from port to your home (or liaise with the piano mover if you employ your own specialist movers). Without an agent? Honestly, don't even go there. I've imported items for work ranging from one small box worth hundreds of thousands of baht, single pallets of goods to an entire 40 foot container. I wouldn't dream of doing it without an agent. It's just not worth my time, the stress factor or the cost of visiting the customs office in person. In addition, if you do it yourself you will be paying bonded storage fees for every day that you take to clear the goods over your free time. If the agent is quicker they will save you money. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lanng khao Posted May 10, 2021 Share Posted May 10, 2021 I've got a Roland gokeys,,12,000baht, off lazada, got some great piano sounds on it, you can have it for 8,000.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaLa Posted May 10, 2021 Share Posted May 10, 2021 8 minutes ago, blackcab said: 1 or 2 thousand baht. Time frame depends if you are registered with paperless customs in advance. If you are you should have the piano within about 1 week. The agent will also be able to source transport from port to your home (or liaise with the piano mover if you employ your own specialist movers). Without an agent? Honestly, don't even go there. I've imported items for work ranging from one small box worth hundreds of thousands of baht, single pallets of goods to an entire 40 foot container. I wouldn't dream of doing it without an agent. It's just not worth my time, the stress factor or the cost of visiting the customs office in person. In addition, if you do it yourself you will be paying bonded storage fees for every day that you take to clear the goods over your free time. If the agent is quicker they will save you money. I have been shipping 40 foot HC's here for the last 10 years. Blackcab's advice is spot on. I have bought and shipped many second hand pianos from the UK. They can be bought for peanuts and consequently the duty is very little. It's up to you how much you value the piano at if you get my drift, although that leaves you with an insurance problem. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oxx Posted May 12, 2021 Share Posted May 12, 2021 Unless the piano has been tropicalised it's not going to be happy in Thailand with the heat and humidity. For the cost of importing a piano you could buy a quality electronic piano here. To be honest, I'd been skeptical about electronic pianos until I tried one 18 months ago. With good quality ones the key action is indistinguishable from mechanical pianos, and the sound is actually much better. (An upright can sound like a concert grand.) You can also practise with headphones on, so don't disturb other people. Plus there's no need to get it tuned every few weeks. I'm very happy with my Kawai. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1FinickyOne Posted May 12, 2021 Share Posted May 12, 2021 On 5/10/2021 at 1:19 PM, marquess said: I just hope that there's no arbitrary interpretation of the rules my experience w/such things is that you never can be totally sure and not just here but I had the same issues importing into the USA too... near anything can be categorized in different ways... so, whatever the individual agent sees is the duty you will pay... you might want to go to customs and try and find someone who can give you a guarantee... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisKC Posted May 12, 2021 Share Posted May 12, 2021 Go to YouTube where you will find a man, Paul Barton, that is his channel name. he recently imported a grand piano. I think he could help you. Such a lovely channel even if he can't tell you everything you need to know Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackcab Posted May 12, 2021 Share Posted May 12, 2021 3 hours ago, 1FinickyOne said: near anything can be categorized in different ways... so, whatever the individual agent sees is the duty you will pay... It is very difficult to classify a piano as anything other than a piano, and the Thai integrated tariff database has a section for pianos: HS92.01 The section is divided into 9201.10.00 upright pianos, 9201.20.00 grand pianos and 92.01.90.00 for items such as harpsichords. The only discussion after this is the rate of duty, which is calculated based on the country of origin. For example, there is no duty to be paid on a piano imported from ASEAN, but 10 per cent duty on imports from some other countries. It pays you to be aware of the HS code of the item you are importing and the correct rate of duty payable. My own experience has been that Thai customs have always correctly assessed the goods I have imported, however I think part of that is the customs agent is aware that I know the exact HS code and tariff for every item in the consignment. It pays to do your homework and help yourself, because a wrong assessment can cost you dearly if you do not spot it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marquess Posted May 12, 2021 Author Share Posted May 12, 2021 16 minutes ago, blackcab said: It is very difficult to classify a piano as anything other than a piano, and the Thai integrated tariff database has a section for pianos: HS92.01 The section is divided into 9201.10.00 upright pianos, 9201.20.00 grand pianos and 92.01.90.00 for items such as harpsichords. The only discussion after this is the rate of duty, which is calculated based on the country of origin. For example, there is no duty to be paid on a piano imported from ASEAN, but 10 per cent duty on imports from some other countries. It pays you to be aware of the HS code of the item you are importing and the correct rate of duty payable. My own experience has been that Thai customs have always correctly assessed the goods I have imported, however I think part of that is the customs agent is aware that I know the exact HS code and tariff for every item in the consignment. It pays to do your homework and help yourself, because a wrong assessment can cost you dearly if you do not spot it. That's very interesting information about ASEAN and not having to pay duty, I just wonder if Yamaha Malaysia and Singapore have a better range of pianos than Yamaha Thailand. Thanks for the information. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neeranam Posted May 12, 2021 Share Posted May 12, 2021 On 5/10/2021 at 12:32 PM, marquess said: Thanks for the answer, is this usually strictly applied? So if I buy for 600k pay 100k for transport I am looking at paying 70k for duty and vat around 52k. I take it you are not still an English teacher. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marquess Posted May 12, 2021 Author Share Posted May 12, 2021 1 minute ago, Neeranam said: I take it you are not still an English teacher. I teach philosophy in English. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neeranam Posted May 12, 2021 Share Posted May 12, 2021 (edited) 5 minutes ago, marquess said: I teach philosophy in English. Cool, we used to work together at Chidlom 2002 ish???? Edited May 12, 2021 by Neeranam 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ballpoint Posted May 12, 2021 Share Posted May 12, 2021 You could try giving these guys a call to compare prices. They give a 5 year warranty and deliver throughout Thailand: PianoCenter.Co.Th Piano Center – center of high quality secondhand pianos imported Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marquess Posted May 12, 2021 Author Share Posted May 12, 2021 2 minutes ago, ballpoint said: You could try giving these guys a call to compare prices. They give a 5 year warranty and deliver throughout Thailand: PianoCenter.Co.Th Piano Center – center of high quality secondhand pianos imported Thanks, I went there last week. They only had C3 and don't do C7'S or C6's. I am going to have to import because there is only once place in Thailand were I have seen a second hand C7 and it was overpriced for what it was. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elliss Posted May 12, 2021 Share Posted May 12, 2021 On 5/10/2021 at 12:47 PM, DavidH555 said: Tough times for musos in Thailand. If life continues this way you might be come across a second hand Steinway . Play it again , Sam .. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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