Customs Agent

[Astounding]

Hi, I am importing my Sauna from Australia for my new house on Koh Phangan.

i am having it shipped to BKK but need a company that will clear it through customs and then ship to me down here on the island. Any recommendations?

Also I have been told when relocating toThailand you can bring in personal items like this without having to pay import taxes, does anyone know about This?

 

appreciate all your input

 

[Langsuan Man]

Suana's are hardly considered "personal items" and I am afraid that you are in a real shock when it gets here.  And this free importation of items is a myth.  There is a small exemption for returning Thais who have worked overseas but nothing for expats moving here 

 

How much customs you are going to have to pay is entirely dependent upon the luck of the draw on which customs agent is assigned to your shipment and trust me a "suana" is going to be considered a "luxury" item and Baht signs are going to make the assigned agents day

 

And remember if you want to argue the customs duty levied, your  shipment will remain in an expensive "bonded" warehouse until it is resolved 

 

Good luck but I think you are in for an expensive experience but you may get lucky, as some others have and paid nothing for household goods

[Astounding]

Good to know the personal effects thing is a myth, nice to slowly sort facts from fiction. Another friend gave me similar feedback to you but I would love to get in touch with someone who works in this field or has experience.

someone told me that regardless of the invoiced cost, they just give their own estimate and then charge a tax based on that amount. 

[robblok]

1 hour ago, Astounding said:

Good to know the personal effects thing is a myth, nice to slowly sort facts from fiction. Another friend gave me similar feedback to you but I would love to get in touch with someone who works in this field or has experience.

someone told me that regardless of the invoiced cost, they just give their own estimate and then charge a tax based on that amount. 

Yes your exactly right.. they give an estimate on the value in Thailand.. and that is often higher as the cost (not always of course). Its a bit of a gamble. 

[keeniau96]

I live in Phuket and had several houses built here, including saunas. Found excellent such items in Bangkok, easy and low cost to have shipped town to here. Also had one outdoor sauna built with excellent results, could have done same indoors if had the space. The comments above re customs fit in well with experience in Thailand.

 

[Astounding]

Thanks yes I am interested in an infra red Sauna, Chinese knock offs don’t compare, but sadly ridiculously overpriced by Thai dealer hence looking into importing from Oz

[mogandave]

...but sadly ridiculously overpriced by Thai dealer hence looking into importing from Oz

By the time you get it you will likely understand why.

Good luck.