Prohibited or dutiable imports to Thailand and applicable duty if any?

[rockyysdt]

Hi All.

 

I've had trouble finding information on the importation of gifts to Thailand.

 

I understand a travelor is allowed to bring personal items to the value of 80,000 but I can't find any information on the importation of gifts.

 

Are travelors allowed to bring gifts into the country?

 

If yes is there duty surrounding such gifts and how does one go about it without getting into trouble with Thai Customs?

 

I'm thinking perfume, small low cost items etc.

 

For example, for the farm, I was hoping to bring a tree lopper, valued at about AUS$27 (fits into travel case).

 

 

Many thanks

 

R

Edited April 20, 2019 by rockyysdt

[HarrySeaman]

Search Lazada for "tree lopper".  As cheap as ฿699 for ALLWAYS No.LP-550 Pruning Shears Long Handle 40 inch.

[mike324]

I believe the value of gifts is suppose to be under 10,000 or somewhere around that. Normally perfume and small items are not a problem. Customs have improve over the years actually, they check suit cases less often. But they still target the Chinese more for bringing in cigarettes and liquor that are over the limit. 

[sometimewoodworker]

You are unlikely to have your bags checked and unless you have large numbers of expensive designer items (10, 20 brand name handbags etc) even less likely to be asked any pointed questions or charged duty.

 

I have brought in tools that were considerably in excess of any limit  my bag was checked and I had a pleasant chat with a customs officer who was more interested in what they were going to be used for than assessing them for duty. I did not have more than 1 of any item.

[glennb6]

well i know that it's 250grams of your favorite cigars duty free. but the last two times coming into swampy the customs check point was closed, or more accurately wide open with nobody checking anyone or anything. damn, would have been nice to have brought in the mamalook load, hmmph

[khunPer]

Quote

Thailand customs allows visitors to enter Thailand with personal effects, the value of which does not exceed 80,000 Baht, without paying import fees as long as: 1) the items are specifically for personal or professional use; 2) the amount of goods are reasonable; and 3) the items are not subject to restriction or prohibition. 

Source and read more: TAT (Tourism Authority of Thailand) CUSTOMS & IMMIGRATION.

????

[rockyysdt]

19 hours ago, khunPer said:

Source and read more: TAT (Tourism Authority of Thailand) CUSTOMS & IMMIGRATION.

????

Thanks KhunPer.

 

This is my problem.

Nowhere in this advice does it refer to gifts.

 

If duty free is limited to personal items, then as a tourist I'd imagine bringing in tools suggests I will be working.

Not a good idea.

 

I was hoping to learn about gifts and duty.

Although, in more than a dozen visits my bags have never been searched, I understand that some who have been searched end up paying hefty fines.

I'd rather comply than run any risk.

 

I have already written to the immigration embassy but they indicated their expertise revolves around visas and not customs.

Edited April 23, 2019 by rockyysdt

[sometimewoodworker]

3 hours ago, rockyysdt said:

If duty free is limited to personal items, then as a tourist I'd imagine bringing in tools suggests I will be working.

Not a good idea.

Nothing wrong with working on your own house. Customs isn't interested in that anyway, that would be immigration.

[khunPer]

4 hours ago, rockyysdt said:

If duty free is limited to personal items, then as a tourist I'd imagine bringing in tools suggests I will be working.

Not a good idea.

What kind of professionel tools are you bringing in that cannot be bought in Thailand, might even sometimes be cheaper than one's home country, which was the case for me.

 

Normal hobby tools, or do it yourself tools, I presume will not be a problem, as long as it could be personal items for repairing your own stuff, or car, or house, or boat, or whatever. During the years I commuted between home country and Thailand, up to seven times a year, I've brought "tons" of stuff in through the customs – sometimes even cardboard boxes – and I've been stopped and searched.

[rockyysdt]

On 4/23/2019 at 10:52 PM, khunPer said:

What kind of professionel tools are you bringing in that cannot be bought in Thailand, might even sometimes be cheaper than one's home country, which was the case for me.

 

Normal hobby tools, or do it yourself tools, I presume will not be a problem, as long as it could be personal items for repairing your own stuff, or car, or house, or boat, or whatever. During the years I commuted between home country and Thailand, up to seven times a year, I've brought "tons" of stuff in through the customs – sometimes even cardboard boxes – and I've been stopped and searched.

Thanks K.

 

In this instance it was just one tool.

A branch lopper. Although I could probably source one in the Kingdom this way it cuts out wasting valuable time on the ground shopping around.

Also, up country (Thabo) many of the hardware stores seem to stock extremely cheap (quality) Chinese examples, or very limited quality tools on the pricey side.

 

Apart from the tool it would be nice to know the customs rules and be able comply with the law of the land.

 

I just receive a reply to my e-mail from Thai Customs who suggest I lookat this website:

 

http://www.customs.go.th/list_strc_simple_neted.php?lang=en&ini_content=individual_160503_03_160905_01&&left_menu=menu_individual_submenu_01_160421_01

 

It seems I'm still in the dark.

In summary, they suggest, "declare and open your bags for inspection. Anything they deem as dutiable (under 200,000b) they then render you a bill".

 

Nothing which indicates tariffs applicable and what is dutiable and what isn't.

A lottery.

[Dumbastheycome]

13 minutes ago, rockyysdt said:

Thanks K.

 

In this instance it was just one tool.

A branch lopper. Although I could probably source one in the Kingdom this way it cuts out wasting valuable time on the ground shopping around.

Also, up country (Thabo) many of the hardware stores seem to stock extremely cheap (quality) Chinese examples, or very limited quality tools on the pricey side.

 

Apart from the tool it would be nice to know the customs rules and be able comply with the law of the land.

 

I just receive a reply to my e-mail from Thai Customs who suggest I lookat this website:

 

http://www.customs.go.th/list_strc_simple_neted.php?lang=en&ini_content=individual_160503_03_160905_01&&left_menu=menu_individual_submenu_01_160421_01

 

It seems I'm still in the dark.

In summary, they suggest, "declare and open your bags for inspection. Anything they deem as dutiable (under 200,000b) they then render you a bill".

 

Nothing which indicates tariffs applicable and what is dutiable and what isn't.

A lottery.

Over the years I have  brought  in checked luggage  many  items such as  small wood working tools which I have never  been even asked about. On one occasion I  brought a slightly dismantled air rifle and a Bow with  arrows. On that occasion I deliberately put it through the  "declared " scanner and waited  for a reaction. Nothing  happened so I put  my head around the  corner and  asked if "all ok"? Got a thumbs  up and a  smile. Walked slowly out  just in case there was any change of  mind. No event. Lucky  maybe?

But I think in general they  do not care too much about contents unless they fit into excess commercial  quantity or normally dutiable such as  alcohol and tobacco. To  know or suspect that probably  relies on  scanning alert at offload  to  carousel or even check in at origin.

I have had a bag marked and challenged in another SEA country.....Indonesia. It was  the 6  packs of  coloured tiling grout I was  taking to a friend there because is or was  like hen's teeth to find there.

Not sure if they were disappointed or amused to discover what it was after I explained  it. Was  bit concerned  they might want to open  and   test snort a  bit !

But it  did  confirm  that the system does not only rely on people declaring. But in general they have specific interest rather than poring over bric brac.

 

 

 

[khunPer]

1 hour ago, rockyysdt said:

In this instance it was just one tool.

A branch lopper. Although I could probably source one in the Kingdom this way it cuts out wasting valuable time on the ground shopping around.

Also, up country (Thabo) many of the hardware stores seem to stock extremely cheap (quality) Chinese examples, or very limited quality tools on the pricey side.

I often use web-shopping, i.e. Thai's Lazada or an international source like Amazon or eBay, to find products, also quality products. The benefit is that they make a no hassle delivery including duty, and you know the price in advance. I also bought tools from Lazada that I couldn't find i local shops, even they have a wide range available in both HomeMart and HomePro, plus some specialist shops with more pro tools for dedicated use. Furthermore I might even sometime find branded stuff a bit cheaper than from local sources. If Thai stock Lazada delivers within a few days, imported stuff takes little longer, and foreign sites might have a quite long delivery time if one not pay extra for express delivery.

 

I think you can find nice quality branch loppers in HomePro – my local HomePro has a "garden department" – I've bought one there some years ago. Lazada also seem to have lots availabe.

????

 

Edit PS: My original post you replied to should of course have ended: "...and I've never been stopped and searched."

Edited April 26, 2019 by khunPer