Customs revenue soars on BMWs, Bentleys

Imports of high-end cars such as BMWs, Bentleys and Mercedes-Benzes have increased dramatically judging by the amount of customs fees being remitted, an official in Customs Control Development said this week.

Principal adviser Chaiyut Kumkun said BMW and Bentley have this year paid 102.9 per cent more than in the previous year, while Mercedes-Benz was spending 1.8 per cent more.

“We found that imports of expensive cars slowed in 2018 after the Department of Special Investigation began examining the trade and Customs considered additional taxes,” Chaiyut said. “The new taxes were announced this year, but the import business is active again to meet high demand in this country.”

Car imports generated more Customs revenue this year than any other sector, he said. Tax collected on passenger cars was Bt1.28 billion, a 30-per-cent increase over 2018, car parts brought in another Bt8.16 billion, and buses Bt2.1 billion.

With Bt108 billion collected in 2019, Customs’ target for 2020 is Bt111 billion.

The Nation

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