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South Korea

Discussion in 'South Korea' started by CWT4th, Jan 25, 2019.

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Will a Tesla bought in the US work in South Korea?

  1. Yes

    73.7%
  2. No

    10.5%
  3. Maybe

    15.8%
Multiple votes are allowed.
  1. bannedgoose

    bannedgoose Member

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    Jun 7, 2020
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    NOVA
    I wish every owner in Korea was active on this forum..one can only wish..
     
    • Like x 2
  2. New_Old_Stock

    New_Old_Stock Member

    Joined:
    Feb 15, 2020
    Messages:
    158
    Location:
    Dongtan, South Korea
    I told the 2 folks I talked to about it!
     
  3. Esquiline

    Esquiline Member

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    Aug 25, 2020
    Messages:
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    Location:
    Seoul
    They're the same cars made in the same California factory. Just Korean airbag, car info stickers in the frunk and different modem. I don't think they're going to allow you to bring it back cuz of the 25 year rule. Once a car, even an American made car leaves, can't come back until 25 years later. Thanks Mercedes.

    That Model 3 going back is probably a US one.
     
    • Like x 1
  4. bannedgoose

    bannedgoose Member

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    Maybe for the ordinary citizen. Most people here I think are under SOFA.

    I still dont know the clear answer or who to talk to about buying a Korean Spec, then having shipped backed to US under SOFA status.
     
  5. Esquiline

    Esquiline Member

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    Location:
    Seoul
    VPC?
     
  6. bannedgoose

    bannedgoose Member

    Joined:
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    I received a phone call today the car I ordered is already in Korea and I am able to take delivery.

    BUT, salesman said I will NOT receive the VAT, because it's already in Korea, which is around 3 million won. But if I wait until my original date of nov-dec I will receive the VAT discount because the car has not been passed through customs yet.

    Also, he's confusing me about asking if I need to register through Korean DMV or under SOFA. From my understanding, I will still have to register the car through Korea, THEN register under SOFA. He's saying if it's only SOFA registration I don't have to pay the Korea registration fee. Know that I think about it. I should go ahead and pay the registration fee, because if I decide to sell it later to a local Korean citizen, they or I would have to pay that registration fee, so I have a bigger market to sell to.

    I think if I decide to take delivery now, I won't receive the VAT discount. Someone please explain! Thank you.
     
  7. New_Old_Stock

    New_Old_Stock Member

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    Location:
    Dongtan, South Korea
    Working in Korea under SOFA changes NOTHING about importing a vehicle into the US.
    A Korean spec Tesla cannot go back to the US till it’s 25 years old. Please, please, please prove me wrong.
     
  8. Esquiline

    Esquiline Member

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    Seoul
    This. I've had many buddies have to sell their RHD Skylines and Lancer Evolutions because of a PCS back to the States. Both active duty and contractors. Not immune from federal motor vehicle law.
     
    • Like x 1
  9. bannedgoose

    bannedgoose Member

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    Pretty sure its only valid if we ship a car from the US, to here, then back to US.

    I'm almost certain I cant ship it back because Korean Spec.
     
    • Like x 1
  10. Esquiline

    Esquiline Member

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    Seoul
    It's too bad you can't get the government subsidies as well. Even with VAT exempted, the M3 is too much and I wouldn't have gotten one at that price point.
     
  11. bannedgoose

    bannedgoose Member

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    It's like $7000 more than US. Yes, I agree kind of expensive..but I bought anyways!
     
    • Like x 1
  12. stickerperson

    stickerperson Member

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    What does the turn signals in South Korean Teslas look like? Are they the few unicorns that's LHD, Tesla proprietary plug AND amber turn signals?
     
  13. New_Old_Stock

    New_Old_Stock Member

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    They look exactly like Tesla 3 turn signals from USDM cars as far as I can tell. Not sure what you mean by "Tesla proprietary plug" though.
     
  14. miimura

    miimura Well-Known Member

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    Location:
    Los Altos, CA
    The "Tesla proprietary plug" is the one labeled "Supercharger" below.

    Charge Ports.jpg

    In various markets, different Tesla vehicles have charge ports that are like the ones labeled "Supercharger", "CCS", "Type 2", and "Tesla Roadster".
     
  15. stickerperson

    stickerperson Member

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    So the turn signals are red and not amber? I'm surprised that's legal in South Korea.
     
  16. bannedgoose

    bannedgoose Member

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    Can anyone please recommend a car wash in the Pyeongtaek area? Of course touchless.
     
  17. EricRandall

    EricRandall Member

    Joined:
    Apr 10, 2020
    Messages:
    18
    Location:
    Incheon, South Korea
    To make sure it gets done right—and if you don’t mind doing it yourself, look into Wash Zone. It is a self-serve car wash chain. You can bring your own materials, though they also sell stuff there and you can also just choose to use the basic shampoo that is in each of their wash bays.
     
    • Like x 1
  18. bannedgoose

    bannedgoose Member

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    Thanks. Idk I rather pay someone tbh lol
     
  19. New_Old_Stock

    New_Old_Stock Member

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    158
    Location:
    Dongtan, South Korea
    USDM cars have amber turn signals.
     
  20. New_Old_Stock

    New_Old_Stock Member

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    Location:
    Dongtan, South Korea
    #120 New_Old_Stock, Oct 5, 2020
    Last edited: Oct 5, 2020
    Ah, CHARGING plug. That was lumped in with turn signal talk so I was confused. Our Tesla is a 2020 so it has the same charge port as USDM Teslas (I think). We have to use an adapter with the 3rd party charge station in our car park, and only one of the five Supercharger stations in Gangneung had the correct plug type for us. Thankfully that station was free when we turned up.

    I’ll get a photo of our Tesla 3 port and the 3rd party charger after work. All these different plug types confuse the hell out of me TBH.
     

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