Guide to Shipping a Car from Thailand

Export Documentation: What You Need to Prepare

Exporting a car from Thailand begins with the vehicle registration documents. You will need the original vehicle registration book (สมุดคู่มือการจดทะเบียนรถ), the vehicle title certificate, your Thai ID or passport, and proof of ownership (purchase contract if recently acquired). If the vehicle is still under financing, you must obtain a letter of release from the finance company confirming the loan has been settled or the lender's consent to export — no financial encumbrance can remain on the vehicle at the time of export. For vehicles registered in a company name, the company must provide a Board of Directors resolution authorising the export.

The formal export process involves two key steps: deregistration of the vehicle with the Department of Land Transport (DLT) and obtaining an export permit from Thai Customs. Deregistration at the DLT must be completed at the provincial DLT office corresponding to where the vehicle is registered — a Bangkok-registered vehicle must deregister at one of the Bangkok DLT offices, not at another province's office. The deregistration process typically takes 1–3 days and results in the cancellation of the licence plates and registration book. Once deregistered, the vehicle must be delivered to the export point (typically Laem Chabang Port or Bangkok Port) within a specified timeframe.

RoRo vs Container: Which to Choose

There are two main methods for shipping a car internationally: Roll-on Roll-off (RoRo) and container shipping. RoRo is the simpler and usually cheaper option — your vehicle is driven onto a specialised vehicle-carrier vessel, secured in the hold, and driven off at the destination port. RoRo rates from Laem Chabang to Australia, for example, are typically in the USD 900–1,400 range for a standard sedan. The limitations of RoRo are that the vehicle is exposed (not enclosed) during the voyage, personal items cannot be left in the car, and not all destinations have RoRo port facilities — some regional ports in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa handle container shipments only.

Container shipping places your vehicle inside a standard 20-foot shipping container, either alone or shared with another vehicle. This offers full protection from the elements and allows you to load a limited amount of personal effects inside the vehicle (subject to customs restrictions at the destination — generally up to 100 kg of personal goods packed in the boot is tolerated in many countries, though this should be confirmed for your specific destination). Container shipping from Laem Chabang to Europe runs USD 1,800–2,800 for a 20-foot container. For destinations where RoRo is available and cost is the primary consideration, RoRo wins. For long voyages to Europe or North America where weather exposure is a concern, or for high-value or classic vehicles, a container provides superior protection.

Insurance for Vehicle Exports

Your existing Thai comprehensive vehicle insurance terminates at the point of export deregistration. You must arrange marine cargo insurance covering the vehicle for the ocean transit — this is distinct from your normal vehicle insurance and covers the specific risks of sea freight (fire, sinking, collision damage, general average). A standard marine cargo policy for a vehicle worth ฿800,000 typically costs ฿3,000–฿6,000 for the ocean voyage. Do not ship without this coverage — cargo damage and loss, while uncommon, does occur on vehicle carrier voyages, and without specific marine insurance you have no recourse.

Destination Country Customs and Compliance

Every destination country imposes its own import duties and compliance requirements on imported vehicles, and these should be researched thoroughly before committing to a vehicle export — in some cases, the destination country import duties plus compliance modification costs exceed the vehicle's value, making the export economically irrational. Australia requires right-hand-drive vehicles to meet ADR (Australian Design Rules) compliance — Thai-manufactured vehicles sold in Thailand are RHD and generally meet ADRs, but grey imports or modified vehicles may require testing. The EU charges 6.5% import duty on passenger vehicles plus VAT at the destination country's rate. The USA is a particularly complex destination for Thai vehicle exports due to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards requirements — most non-US-spec vehicles cannot be legally imported into the USA except under a 25-year antique exemption. ThaiGo Moving's shipping team provides destination-specific guidance at the quotation stage to ensure you have a complete picture before proceeding.