Hello, I am new to Thailand. I tried to do some research in advance and found online that Thailand supposedly has a 1500 baht limit before import duty hits on a personal package. However today I was greeted by the Fedex man who wanted 460 baht in duty and taxes on my 1060 baht package. Does anyone have any insight into what is going on here.

I was going off of category 1 in the following link.

http://en.customs.go.th/content.php?ini_content=individuals_151007_04&lang=en&left_menu=menu_individuals_151007_04

You missed a part:

• The value does not exceed 1,500 baht; and
• The item is a commercial sample of no commercial value.

Just now, FritsSikkink said:

You missed a part:

• The value does not exceed 1,500 baht; and
• The item is a commercial sample of no commercial value.

I am beginning to see why people have been telling me this country is built on just creating ways to scam money out of foreigners. This is garbage if I can't even get a simple small package from abroad for personal use without having to not only pay a very expensive shipping fee, but additional taxes and import duty. The reason I say it is garbage is that if I or a friend carried these same items in a suitcase through the airport it would be ok but somehow if it comes as a package suddenly I am nailed for 1/3 of the total value of the package?

To follow up with an additional question. What is the law about taxes and duty. Does it apply for all packages regardless of value if it has so called "commercial value", seeing that almost anything could be sold for a commercial value?

31 minutes ago, FritsSikkink said:

You missed a part:

• The value does not exceed 1,500 baht; and
• The item is a commercial sample of no commercial value.

If total commercial value is less than 1500 baht there would be no fee using mail.  But shippers have special agreement with customs to avoid customs inspection delay by paying on everything.  He may be able to bargain but best to avoid shipment companies for personal items.  I received a $43.80 item by mail today with no duty.  Often higher values are also allowed if by mail.

1 hour ago, hogfrog said:

I am beginning to see why people have been telling me this country is built on just creating ways to scam money out of foreigners. This is garbage if I can't even get a simple small package from abroad for personal use without having to not only pay a very expensive shipping fee, but additional taxes and import duty. The reason I say it is garbage is that if I or a friend carried these same items in a suitcase through the airport it would be ok but somehow if it comes as a package suddenly I am nailed for 1/3 of the total value of the package?

Import duties are common in every country.

1 minute ago, FritsSikkink said:

Import duties are common in every country.

Every country That I am aware of has a set free of duty amount - and Thailand is no exception.  It is 1,500 baht.  These shipping firms have a special relationship to speed processing removing the normal exception, and making life very upsetting to those not requiring such expedited service and not aware of it.

13 minutes ago, lopburi3 said:

Every country That I am aware of has a set free of duty amount - and Thailand is no exception.  It is 1,500 baht.  These shipping firms have a special relationship to speed processing removing the normal exception, and making life very upsetting to those not requiring such expedited service and not aware of it.

These shipping firms are to blame if you see this as a scam. Send it via normal post

It's been said on this forum countless times, avoid couriers !!! FedEx DHL etc wherever possible because you will get "fees" almost guaranteed.

 

Use the regular mail and under 1500b or $50 and it's unlikely, (although technically possible and based on product and declared value).