Korean Job Discussion Forums

boatofcar · Joined: 20 Dec 2006 Location: Sheffield, UK

I have a 2005 VW Golf TDI at home that I'm still making payments on. I'm going to be in Korea for the foreseeable future, and am thinking about bringing it over. I've heard it costs about 3 grand to do so--is that right?

IIILALALAIII · Joined: 31 Oct 2008

[quote="boatofcar"]I have a 2005 VW Golf TDI at home that I'm still making payments on. I'm going to be in Korea for the foreseeable future, and am thinking about bringing it over. I've heard it costs about 3 grand to do so--is that right?[/quote]

Not stupid but not perfect idea.
I think the freight fee is 3000 but you may need to find out the tax you have to pay ad valorem. I think you have to pay some amount based on your book value. Check them out first.

Good luck

Xuanzang · Joined: 10 Apr 2007 Location: Sadang

You would need to ship it from a port near your home city to Ulsan. I guess if you`ll be here 5+　years then it might make sense. TDIs are great in Korea. Torque is the key for these red light to red light and hills.

Find out if they`ll tax your car for import duties or not since you`re only a temporary resident here. If yes then it`s not worth it because: freight plus duties is a lot of initial expenses. UNLESS, you`Re loaded and dont care then by all means. DO it haha.

Cerriowen · Joined: 03 Jun 2006 Location: Pocheon

I'd say you shouldn't.

Why?

1) It's expensive
2) You can get a used car over here cheaper than the import fee
3) Public transportation is one of the best in the world... cheap taxi's, cheap bus', dirt cheap subway, really reasonable train fees.
4) A first timer in Korea will find it REALLY scary to drive here. It's like L.A. or New York, but where no one obeys traffic rules.
5) Expensive and difficult parking... unless you're driving a shoebox on wheels, it'll be hard to find a parking spot.

I do have one friend w/ a car but he has one because he worked in the countryside and lived about 30 min walk from work... and he had a dog that he couldn't take on the bus/train/taxi.

Xuanzang · Joined: 10 Apr 2007 Location: Sadang

tegu · Joined: 10 May 2006

dont do it

its going to be about 42% in import/reg fees on the used car value, plus you need permission to export it from whomever you borrowed the money for, as well as about 5k-7k in fees just to get it to pass the inspection and to get plates on it Very Happy

Xuanzang · Joined: 10 Apr 2007 Location: Sadang

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20081026225156AAMXyb3
http://english.customs.go.kr/kcsweb/user.tdf?a=common.HtmlApp&c=1501&page=/english/html/kor/facilitation/facilitation_01_09_01.html&mc=ENGLISH_FACILITATION_IMPORT_090
This is some useful reading.

okokok · Joined: 27 Aug 2006

Stupid idea.

DJTwoTone · Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2009 4:13 am Post subject:

If you are going to be here for a while and don't mind whatever the expense is going to be...

By all means, bring your car over. I live in Ulsan, kinda. And although the bus system is good. Having a car is great. I've never had a problem finding parking either...

Anyway... If you love your car and want it here... Then go for it...

boatofcar · Joined: 20 Dec 2006 Location: Sheffield, UK

For those of you who live in Seoul, you have no idea what it's like to live in a place like Ulsan. Ulsan is the largest city in Korea by area. Bigger than Seoul. Imagine how long it would take to get from one side of the city to the other by bus, if there were no subway system.

Xuanzang and tegu, thank you for the useful responses. okokok, thanks for being useless and reminding me why I don't post here often. Looks like I'll be buying a car here once my job at Ulsan University starts in the Fall. They're putting me up in a place off campus, and after taking buses for 2 years here, I'm ready for some more freedom.

DJTwoTone, where did you buy your car? What kind did you get?

Nester Noodlemon · Joined: 16 Jan 2009

I would only have one concern.

All Korean cars have to be equipped with a KTC Monitoring Meter. This meter has a chip that is monitored by a network of underground street modules. These modules will coordinate your car so as to prevent any illegal traffic maneuvers or traffic violations.

I'm not sure what the price will be to have the KTC Monitoring Meter installed in your car. However, I think there is an annual service fee. This fee can be given to the local traffic police, via white envelope.

okokok · Joined: 27 Aug 2006

VanIslander · Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2009 6:26 am Post subject:

Great idea. Bring your house while you're at it.

okokok · Joined: 27 Aug 2006

^^ and your mama.

logan2003 · Joined: 20 May 2003

I would say to bring your car, as long as your able to handle the extra expenses. Having your own car, is wonderful. To those to prefer public transportation hats off to you. But for me and my wife....no way. We love the freedom, of course it is not for the faint of heart. If you need a very high degree of driving skills to drive here without incident. Just like a poster said above, drive as if the other drivers will not follow the law, and expect the unexpected. I have clocked about 80,000 kms without incident.