Tea Package Shipment (from proper London Tea Shop) Being Held Random At Customs In Nong Khai

[FrankyFreedom]

Hi Everyone.

 

This is my first new thread here, so please excuse me if it is not posted in the right place. I have had my monthly Chinese tea package sent to me from a reputable shop in London. I have had the same type of package sent to me in Laos and Cambodia and the process was as simple as showing up at the post office and paying $1.00 - $2.00 USD, no questions asked, and no need to open the box. Well, it turns out that the new package I have had shipped to me here in Thailand is being held at the customs office in Nong Khai. I am in Udon Thani, and the only way I get around is via bicycle, and so doing the 55 km trip BACK to Nong Khai just to pick up a small package is a bit tedious. I was able to have a Thai friend call the customs office, and it SEEMS that they are holding it ONLY because they need me to be there in person before opening the box. I can understand the reasoning behind that, but what I have trouble with is why can't they just have the people at the Udon Thani post office do that? In that way I could just quickly shoot over to the post office and have the tea in hand today? Now I have to spend valuable time out of my day trying to figure out if there is any way to get this stupid package (worth ~ $100 USD (retail)) from Nong Khai to Udon Thani. Someone has suggested a "customs broker", but for a $100 package I can't see how that would be feasible. I have also read that with "food" you may have to get some sort of clearance from the health ministry. Folks, it's just a <deleted>' tea package for personal consumption.

 

Since my visa exempt stamp expires on Monday (Nov 6th) I will extend it for the second month just to allow time in case I have additional complication with getting this package out of customs. I DO NOT want to have to ride up there before I exit the country on Dec 6th on the bike. So I am trying to find out if there is ANY way to get the package from Nong Khai customs down here to Udon Thani WITHOUT having to go up there. If anyone has any contacts and/or further info please feel free to share. I can't see how other people in Udon Thani haven't had a similar experience like this, considering my situation. I am also wondering about the amount of tax to be expected on such a package (~ 100 USD in value). As I said, in Laos and Cambodia it was $1.00 - $2.00.

 

If anyone has helpful info to share on this I would greatly appreciate it. I just want to drink my DAMN tea!

 

FF

[Techno Viking]

Prolly need to engage the services of a customs broker if you do not want to attend in person.

 

Is an FDA licence needed to import foodstuffs ?

 

Import taxes will be 30% CIF and 7%VAT.

[FrankyFreedom]

@Techno Viking I have no idea how to begin "engaging the services of a custom broker". Can you quickly give me a 101 education on this? In other words, are there "customs brokers" in Udon Thani (names and/or contact info appreciated) who I could visit within the next few days, and who can help me get the package down to Udon Thani so that I can sign for it (as it was sent with "tracked and signed" shipping via Royal Mail), pay the tax, and then just start drinking my DAMN tea???

 

Thanks.

 

FF

 

[JackThompson]

17 minutes ago, FrankyFreedom said:

... the only way I get around is via bicycle, and so doing the 55 km trip BACK to Nong Khai

I know you said "without going up there" - but given the cost of brokers, relative to a small package, a bus or van-ride up and back might be the most efficient solution - maybe 3 hrs time in all.  Much easier than a 55 km each-way bicycle ride, in any case.

[Briggsy]

There are regular buses to Nong Khai from Udon. You can take your bike on the bus.

 

I agree though that dealing with Thai Customs is tiresome, bureaucratic and expensive.

[FrankyFreedom]

@JackThompson Hi Jack. Agreed. This is why today I am merely doing the research to find out if there are OTHER options available, as this is the first time I have encountered this kind of situation. The sender (tea shop owner) HAS had this problem before, as he sends larger (business) shipments to one of his partners in Bangkok, but he and I agreed that we didn't think this would be a problem for a small retail package. Live and learn, as the saying goes. I will continue gathering intel over the next few days. If it is deemed that the ONLY feasible solution is to go up there then I will do so on Dec 1st (Friday) on my way out of country (five days before visa expiration). THEN the only issue is whether or not a quick visit to the customs office will be "routinely quick and smooth" or if there will be other issues.

 

which leads me to the next comment ...

 

@Briggsy You state : "I agree though that dealing with Thai Customs is tiresome, bureaucratic and expensive." Can you provide a little more insight into that statement? I mean, what kind of issues do you think MAY arise in this specific case of a ~ $100 USD tea package. The sender will be sending me a receipt for the ~ $80 retail tea cake I have actually paid for, but then he also adds a bunch of smaller (5-10 gram) sample packs (which could potentially give customs some leverage to overcharge since I will not have itemized costs for those in the receipt). Any info is appreciated.

 

In the end, the sender and I have agreed that if it ends up being too much of a hassle, we can have Thai customs send the package back to London and he can re-ship it to me in Vientiane. But this is CERTAINLY going to be one (MORE) factor motivating me to FORGO returning to Thailand after my upcoming three months in Laos, and opting instead for Vietnam, where I can get a 3-6 month tourist visa, and this kind of CRAZINESS (around the house) is minimal.

 

Thanks.

 

FF

[Just Weird]

Don't hold you breath expecting the Customs Dept to go out of their way to accommodate you by sending the package back to London when you won't help yourself by just going to collect it and pay the duty on it like everyone else has to do.  You knew there would probably be some red tape when you ordered it.

 

Instead of this situation, that you alone are responsible for (no one forced you to place an order with an overseas company), motivating you not to return to Thailand why does it not motivate you to accept this country's regulations when importing taxable items?  The only CRAZINESS is that brought on yourself, by yourself.

[metisdead]

This topic is now closed due to profane flaming of another member.