Impossible to collect Numismatics Coins in Thailand

[Siamstacker]

Hello Thaivisa...!

 

Are there any coin /PM bullion collectors that have relocated to Thailand? E.g someone who used to buy from APMEX in USA.

 

I finally joined Thavisa after lurking this forum for the 4 years I lived in Bangkok to whinge about something that has dawned on me!

I would love to take up collecting numismatic coins e.g ordering graded slabbed coins from AMPEX.

I used to collect billions in my own somewhat well known small European country where we speak with a funny accent, but it seems no more.

 

Besides the pain of having to pay VAT/duty, which is excruciating as it is,  I just realized yet another problem to make it even more painful.

 

I did actually order a coin from APMEX to BKK that came in a transparent sleeve from the mint.

Even though the plastic sleeve was completely transparent, customs still had to cut it open (maybe to bite it to check that it was real). 

This handling in customs means any slabbed graded coin would be just ripped open wiping out hundreds of bucks worth of value in form of re-grading by the grading company.

But also there's a catch 22, a graded coin needs to stay in a sealed plastic slab but I'll never be able to import a sealed plastic slabbed because it will always be opened by customs.

So I could never keep a slabbed graded coin within Thailand.

 

As the years go buy living in Thailand, for sure it's nice to pursue some of these interests as I'm getting older. I used to love the prospect of one day buying some expensive drawings on paper from art auction type of sites, but Thailand's humidity could ruin the paper and destroy the investment. 

 

Granted this isn't the biggest problem in the world but it still sucks. I'm wondering if there's any seasoned farangs out there pursuing this hobby still while living in Thailand or how they go about it.

[meechai]

That is a tough one.

Only thing I can think of is have a friend or relative

hold what you want to buy outside of Thailand until either you visit or someone you know is coming to Thailand.

 

They can hand carry them or you can bring them back.

Not easy  yes but the only way I know

[Siamstacker]

Thank you for the quick reply :-)

[ezzra]

I have been been collecting numismatics for many years now and most of my stuff

is high value coins, stamps and banknotes, the Thai custom is very difficult to deal

with specially if you ship it using a curriers like DHL UPS and alike, guarantees that

they will open, inspect and charge you duties and tax even if it's only soiled underwear,

you need to find ways to bring in the stuff in a ways that will save you a lot of hassles,

mostly using plain packaging and having a handler somewhere on rout that can receive

those shipments and re pack them in unassuming packages....