I am an Amazon FBA private label seller living in Thailand and am exploring the possibility of selling on Lazada.  Wondering if there are any other expats doing the same.  Would be nice to compare notes.

Off topic comment and response removed.

Good topic. I will want to follow as it relates to something that I am planning.

Probably best to explain for those who don't know that FBA means Fulfillment By Amazon.

9 minutes ago, neeray said:

Good topic. I will want to follow as it relates to something that I am planning.

Probably best to explain for those who don't know that FBA means Fulfillment By Amazon.

Thanks for that I too was wondering, so effectively drop-shipping provided by Amazon.

 

And a couple more off-topic posts removed. Our OP has said nothing about how his operation is structured so we cannot comment on the legality or otherwise.

 

EDIT And now a comment on moderation has gone bye-bye.

 

Forum rules are here https://forum.thaivisa.com/terms/ please read them.

 

yeah this is interesting, I will follow and continue to explore possibilities --overall I have been impressed with Lazada in all my dealings with them, altho that has only involved my purchases (and returns) so far... 

 

9 minutes ago, FritsSikkink said:

So you are working without a work permit, not paying tax and you are looking for more people who do this so you can make your illegal business more professional?

Wrong to make such assumptions.  My business is incorporated in the USA. I am fully complaint with Thai regulations.  

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3 minutes ago, CangguSurfer said:

Wrong to make such assumptions.  My business is incorporated in the USA. I am fully complaint with Thai regulations.  

Thaivisa being the knowledge sharing forum that it is, may I suggest that you take a few moments and enlighten other members as to how FBA functions.

The simple guide, seems it's not drop-shipping (so I was wrong there, nothing unusual).

 

https://services.amazon.com/fulfillment-by-amazon/benefits.html

 

My wife does but as a foreigner it would require a WP / staff in case of psychical products etc.
Would say as a foreigner it is more interesting to focus on existing platforms in western countries with higher consuming power.

Edited February 19, 20197 yr by tabarin

Why is it that whenever there is a post on ThaiVisa.com regarding some form of ‘activity’ which ‘could be’ construed as work there is always a handful of posters getting upset and crying about work permits and generally getting all out of whack because they want others to accept that they are the defacto authority on what is legal work?..... 

Edited February 19, 20197 yr by richard_smith237

20 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

Why is it that whenever there is a post on ThaiVisa.com regarding some form of ‘activity’ which ‘could be’ construed as work there is always a handful of posters getting upset and crying about work permits and generally getting all out of whack because they want others to accept that they are the defacto authority on what is legal work?..... 

Because I am getting a proper visa, work permit and DO pay tax and don't like it that there are people who don't give a shit about the rules and ask for advise on their illegal activities.

https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1005204-selling-on-lazada/

 

https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1071460-is-anybody-selling-on-lazada/

 

https://lazadathpsc.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/216749708-How-do-I-sign-up-to-sell-on-Lazada-

Ok, there is no way of knowing if the OP has or has not complied with any regulation/requirement. To suggest otherwise is unfair, and certainly discussion of it is off topic.

The topic is not about legalities of working in Thailand.

 

Please stay on the topic/question asked.

2 hours ago, Crossy said:

Thanks for that I too was wondering, so effectively drop-shipping provided by Amazon.

 

And a couple more off-topic posts removed. Our OP has said nothing about how his operation is structured so we cannot comment on the legality or otherwise.

 

EDIT And now a comment on moderation has gone bye-bye.

 

Forum rules are here https://forum.thaivisa.com/terms/ please read them.

 

Drop shipping business model does not work well on AMZ.  Most sellers on Amazon (or Lazada) opt for private-label (i.e.: purchasing products overseas like from China and branding with their own seller-logo. 

 

FBA simply means fulfillment by Amazon.  Under this model, AMZ provides warehousing for the inventory, and complete fulfillment once a sale is made (all for a fee of course).  LAZADA has a similar seller model referred to as FBL).

 

As to the legality of a Farang conducting an FBA business while living in Thailand, many "digital nomads" (including myself) make their living doing this without the need for a work permit, and do it quite openly.  There is nothing illegal or dodgy about it, and it does not violate any Thai Immigration regulations if you do it properly.  I consulted with a Thai attorney about this so I am real comfortable in saying this.

 

Many digital nomads are quite open about it here in Chiang Mai, posting on YouTube and social media, and I know of no one who has had any run-ins with Thai Immigration over their enterprises irregardless of what type of visa they hold.

 

I am not really interested in networking with anyone on this; my business is doing just fine thank you, but I thought I'd provide this feedback for anyone interested in this topic.  

 

Just to add, I'm happy to answer questions or provide feedback but I do NOT want to get into any silly debates over the legalities of conducting this kind of business here in the Kingdom.  As the moderator advised, keep it on-topic.

Edited February 19, 20197 yr by WaveHunter

25 minutes ago, WaveHunter said:

Drop shipping business model does not work well on AMZ.  Most sellers on Amazon (or Lazada) opt for private-label (i.e.: purchasing products overseas like from China and branding with their own seller-logo. 

 

FBA simply means fulfillment by Amazon.  Under this model, AMZ provides warehousing for the inventory, and complete fulfillment once a sale is made (all for a fee of course).  LAZADA has a similar seller model referred to as FBL).

 

As to the legality of a Farang conducting an FBA business while living in Thailand, many "digital nomads" (including myself) make their living doing this without the need for a work permit, and do it quite openly.  There is nothing illegal or dodgy about it, and it does not violate any Thai Immigration regulations if you do it properly.  I consulted with a Thai attorney about this so I am real comfortable in saying this.

 

Many digital nomads are quite open about it here in Chiang Mai, posting on YouTube and social media, and I know of no one who has had any run-ins with Thai Immigration over their enterprises irregardless of what type of visa they hold.

 

I am not really interested in networking with anyone on this; my business is doing just fine thank you, but I thought I'd provide this feedback for anyone interested in this topic.  

 

Just to add, I'm happy to answer questions or provide feedback but I do NOT want to get into any silly debates over the legalities of conducting this kind of business here in the Kingdom.  As the moderator advised, keep it on-topic.

 

I've run FBA businesses and global online business for years since it began. I also registered companies in the countries where most sales are made that pay taxes in the right places and I also have an additional company setup in Thailand so I obtain a work permit etc and pay taxes here for any income produced by this company. It costs a bit more this way although it crosses all the boxes and you have all documents for every eventuality.

 

Its probably overkill but no one can ever complain or accuse one of 'not paying taxes in the right places' or of 'not having the correct documents and permissions'.

 

I also have a wife and established home here so I wouldn't want to be 'expelled' for any reason so to speak, hence the Thai company, taxes and work permit. If I were planning on fleeting or travelling I might choose differently.

 

As for selling On Lazada I haven't tried it yet although i might and maybe Shoppee also.

 

Edited February 19, 20197 yr by NightSky

8 hours ago, FritsSikkink said:

Because I am getting a proper visa, work permit and DO pay tax and don't like it that there are people who don't give a shit about the rules and ask for advise on their illegal activities.

Where in the world is life ever fair?

9 hours ago, FritsSikkink said:

Because I am getting a proper visa, work permit and DO pay tax and don't like it that there are people who don't give a shit about the rules and ask for advise on their illegal activities.

FS, you have said your piece. Now would you mind going away for a couple of days? This is a fascinating thread and we're all adults aware of the rules for staying and working here.

11 minutes ago, Bang Bang said:

FS, you have said your piece. Now would you mind going away for a couple of days? This is a fascinating thread and we're all adults aware of the rules for staying and working here.

Agreed Bang Bang, "fascinating" and useful thread. Hope it doesn't get side tracked. More input needed.

To give this topic a late night nudge, I've got contacts in South Asia, particularly, India. Any idea of goods that might be imported from there and sold here on Lazada?

 

I know I'm supposed to my own research but, hey, I'm just trying to pick experienced brains.

19 hours ago, FritsSikkink said:

20 hours ago, CangguSurfer said:

Wrong to make such assumptions.  My business is incorporated in the USA. I am fully complaint with Thai regulations.  

I don't make assumptions, you are not allowed to work in Thailand without a work permit, you do need a proper visa, you don't comply at all. That you comply with USA rules has nothing to do with Thai rules.

 

How do you know he's going to be working in Thailand at all?    If has has a US company, then that company could ship product to Lazada and Lazada would do the fulfillment. 
No work in Thailand required for the OP at all.

1 hour ago, seancbk said:

 

How do you know he's going to be working in Thailand at all?    If has has a US company, then that company could ship product to Lazada and Lazada would do the fulfillment. 
No work in Thailand required for the OP at all.

In a nutshell, that is the gist of it.  Like the original poster, my company is located offshore.  No “work”, as defined by Thai Immigration regulations, is performed within the Kingdom.

 

Managing my foreign-based business remotely through my laptop while living here in Thailand does not violate any Thai laws or Immigration regulations.  It is politically, financially, and morally correct.

 

That is really all that needs to be said on this subject.  Let’s move on to the actual subject of this thread...who else is a remote-based digital entrepreneur (I.e.: digital nomad)?

Edited February 20, 20197 yr by WaveHunter

2 hours ago, seancbk said:

 

How do you know he's going to be working in Thailand at all?    If has has a US company, then that company could ship product to Lazada and Lazada would do the fulfillment. 
No work in Thailand required for the OP at all.

He should at least manage the company from Thailand, these things don't get on Lazada by itself and need to be purchased too.

off topic bickering removed.

 

Keep it civil please.

On 2/19/2019 at 1:38 PM, FritsSikkink said:

I don't make assumptions, you are not allowed to work in Thailand without a work permit, you do need a proper visa, you don't comply at all. That you comply with USA rules has nothing to do with Thai rules.

Just to be clear, the OP said "My business is incorporated in the USA. I am fully complaint with Thai regulations."  He is making two entirely separate statements.  He is not inferring that because he is incorporated in the USA that fact makes him compliant with Thai law. 

 

I take this to mean that his business is US based and his customers are located in the United States, not Thailand.  I also would assume that he consulted with a Thai attorney (as I did) to be sure he was conducting his business in a manner that was compliant with Thai regulations with regard to how the Office of Work Permits defines the word "work". 

 

How that word is defined by them is very precise.  So, if the manner in which you conduct your business does not meet that definition in their eyes, it's entirely possible to conduct your business ethically without the need for a work permit.  Hundreds of "digital nomads" work this way quite openly and there is nothing dodgy or untoward about it. 

Edited February 20, 20197 yr by WaveHunter

So what kind of stuff do expats sell on Lazada/FBL?

Edited February 20, 20197 yr by Bang Bang

A friend of mine is selling motor bike plastics on Lazada and Shopee.  In an average week he gets three times more sales from Shopee.

 

He also sells "mini" bundles on facebook.  That is he buys a big bundle of clothes or shoes and then breaks it down into 10 or more mini bundles. His last one was a shoe bundle with 144 pairs. He broke it down into 12 mini bundles of 12 pairs. Sold the lot in 3 days.

Edited February 20, 20197 yr by Khaeng Mak

3 minutes ago, Khaeng Mak said:

A friend of mine is selling motor bike plastics on Lazada and Shopee.  In an average week he gets three times more sales from Shopee.

 

He also sells "mini" bundles on facebook.  That is he buys a big bundle of clothes or shoes and then breaks it down into 10 or more mini bundles. His last one was a shoe bundle with 144 pairs. He broke it down into 12 mini bundles of 12 pairs. Sold the lot in 3 days.

Buying a big lot and selling it in small ones seems a greats idea. Is your friend an expat/Thai?

41 minutes ago, WaveHunter said:

Hundreds of "digital nomads" work this way quite openly and there is nothing dodgy or untoward about it. 

Wrong again

2 hours ago, Bang Bang said:

Buying a big lot and selling it in small ones seems a greats idea. Is your friend an expat/Thai?

He is Thai.  I forget the exact figure that he told me. I think about 15 or 20 thousand baht for the big bundle of shoes. Comes from wholesaler in Bangkok (But the shoes come from abroad somewhere). The bundle is like a big lucky dip.  Usually at least 12 or more really good items in each bundle and then the rest is just ok stuff. He makes up the smaller bundles with at least one great item in each one. 

 

The trick is having the capital to buy a big bundle. I know it is not a lot of money but not many Thais have a lazy 20K siting around to play with. 

 

He actually got the idea because he started buying mini bundles off another guy on facebook (because he didn't have enough money to buy a whole big bundle). I lent him the cash to buy his first big bundle (which he paid me back within a week) and since then he has not looked back.

 

Good and simple business model really. He is kind of like a mid level wholesaler.