Personal Items on retirement visa

[Razuu]

Morning 

Can anybody tell me if there are any tax payable if I wanted to bring a few personal "used" items when I come, eg golf clubs, hi-fi gear, computer equipment, kitchen appliances, etc

Cheers

[imjmn]

Coming as a tourist - not that I know of - been coming and going for 20 years and never asked by Customs.

 

If moving and bringing a house hold - that is different rules and you can check the relevant Thai gov't sites for guidance.

 

MJ

[glegolo]

In general you can bring in personal belongings to Thailand. But this is Thailand and what they do is that they decide that VERY few kind of items actually are personal effects and you have to pay some.

 

Normally they will consider your packinglist and thereafter give you a "price" to get the stuff into the country. I can give you an exemple so you know at least in what ball park you will be "playing"..

 

Let say for 2 pallets of your stuff (normal personal effcts) they usually ends up asking you for 5-8.000 baht in customs duty....

 

You will probably soon have a lot of different people mentioning that "this one said", and "he did tell my friend", and "everybody else got it for free"...  But that is only hearsay and not interesting for you to read.  The world of Thailand look like I told you... I am working in this business..

 

glegolo

[ozfarang]

We moved to Thailand a couple of years ago and our "personal effects" (all used) consisted of about 50 packing boxes which totalled around 3.5 cubic metres. This included, tv's (2), dvd player and some kitchen electrical, items. The custom duty to clear was ฿9000.

They check your packing list as "glegolo" says. If you insure the shipment you will need to indicate what you are shipping and this what Thai customs will be interested in.

Also the declared value for insurance purposes is of interest to Thai customs. None of our items were opened for inspection.

You can bet on paying something to clear you belongings. How much, well, how long is a piece of string.

 

This is Thailand after all.

[Langsuan Man]

How much you pay is entirely dependent upon which customs agent is assigned to your shipment.  It's all the luck of the draw

 

Some people moving here report paying huge amounts for "used" stuff and other end up with little or no duty

 

My shipment cost me 40,000 THB 12 years ago to get it out of the customs shed, but since I got free shipment to LOS from Germany I didn't care that much, since it was just the cost of doing business here

 

And no, I did not receive a receipt  

[Razuu]

Thanks for all the replies. Much appreciated.

 

So do you suggest I itemised & insure my shipment? My main concerns are my hi fi gear (amplifier and speakers), both are used and I can get current valuations from the shop I purchased from.

 

Cheers

[ozfarang]

Yes Razuu, itemise and insure your shipment.

 

That (insured value) will be the figure the Thai customs will look at to levy the tax for you to clear your goods in Thailand. Whether your goods are new or used is of no consequence to Thai customs.

 

This was the case for our shipment from Australia in May last year.

 

[glegolo]

3 minutes ago, ozfarang said:

Yes Razuu, itemise and insure your shipment.

 

That (insured value) will be the figure the Thai customs will look at to levy the tax for you to clear your goods in Thailand. Whether your goods are new or used is of no consequence to Thai customs.

 

This was the case for our shipment from Australia in May last year.

 

For the two last posts be noted that there is a smoother way than what these private persons are suggesting to you OP.

 

YES to both itemize of course, and to insure your shipment if you like to insure it... BUT use one packinglist for the insurance-company........ and one packinglist for the thai customs... Hold the value DOWN on the one you present to the customs..... nuff said..

 

glegolo

[Razuu]

Thanks...understood.

 

Any suggestions on shipping companies or shipping method? Will not be anywhere near a house load, maybe about 8 big suitcases plus Amplifier and floor standing speakers.

[ozfarang]

I used Allied Pickfords sea freight from Perth. Get some quotes.

 

One month door to door. Excellent service.

[Razuu]

thanks

[Razuu]

Hi again.

How does it work when my items arrive in Thailand. Do I get a notice that it has arrived and where? How easy is it to clear custom?

 

Cheers

[Langsuan Man]

33 minutes ago, Razuu said:

Hi again.

How does it work when my items arrive in Thailand. Do I get a notice that it has arrived and where? How easy is it to clear custom?

 

Cheers

If you hire a moving company they will notify you and require that you provide your original passport , not a copy, to clear the shipment 

[Ahab]

39 minutes ago, Langsuan Man said:

If you hire a moving company they will notify you and require that you provide your original passport , not a copy, to clear the shipment 

This is correct, our moving company needed the original to clear the shipment. It was sent back via EMS promptly with no issues. We had concerns about sending, but it is the only way to get your shipment out of customs.