Buying a laptop from Amazon

[WorriedNoodle]

Anyone know the procedure for this?

 

I've bought a laptop, Amazon ships it by UPS to my Thai address adding 7% on the price and shipping for tax, for Thai taxman I guess. However it's reported on Amazon as uncleared by customs whereas a hard disc I bought same shipment got delivered. I got an unclear email from customs saying to send a photo passport, which I did by reply email and nothing since.

 

Anyone gone thro this ? Do I need to go to customs in person to sort it usually or are they just needing my passport photo. Cannot be more money can it as already paid the extra to Amazon? 

[wgdanson]

That's why it's better to buy from a reputable Thai company eg Invade IT, so you get warranty, no unexpected charges, get it immediately, and get back up help from Thomas. 

 

[WorriedNoodle]

10 hours ago, wgdanson said:

That's why it's better to buy from a reputable Thai company eg Invade IT,

Looking for answers from someone who has dealt with Amazon imports thanks.

[muratremix]

Just send them your passport scan via email or whatever they ask.

I bought several items from Amazon and never had issues.

 

 

[Henryford]

I recently bought 2 Acer laptops via Lazada here here in Thailand. Both good, no problems and just as cheap. Where bother with potential hassles via Amazon?

[watcharacters]

 

 

I haven't bought anything yet from Amazon but there're are lots of things I'd like to order.    First off so often the seller states up front that shipments to Thailand are not made. 

 

But if you found a seller who will ship to Thailand, I think I'd contact them to ask if they have any idea how you should proceed with getting your purchased item.

 

 

 

Edited May 12, 2019 by watcharacters

[utalkin2me]

3 hours ago, WorriedNoodle said:

Looking for answers from someone who has dealt with Amazon imports thanks.

Just get a refund. He is right the laptop will have two years service here and will probably be the same price. Well, I have noticed a lot of the Asus, Acer and Lenovos are the same price anyway. 

[NanLaew]

14 hours ago, WorriedNoodle said:

Anyone know the procedure for this?

 

I've bought a laptop, Amazon ships it by UPS to my Thai address adding 7% on the price and shipping for tax, for Thai taxman I guess. However it's reported on Amazon as uncleared by customs whereas a hard disc I bought same shipment got delivered. I got an unclear email from customs saying to send a photo passport, which I did by reply email and nothing since.

 

Anyone gone thro this ? Do I need to go to customs in person to sort it usually or are they just needing my passport photo. Cannot be more money can it as already paid the extra to Amazon? 

How long ago did you respond to their email seeking your passport info?

 

And where are you located (delivery address)?

[AAArdvark]

3 hours ago, WorriedNoodle said:

Looking for answers from someone who has dealt with Amazon imports thanks.

I have a thread on this right now.  Exact thing has just happened to me.  First an email in very poor English with a request for a passport copy.  The problem is that they then want you to deliver the actual passport to UPS customs in Bangkok (no other choice).  I refused and my item got "abandoned".  Fortunately, my item was for $6.28 and Amazon refunded.  The other item was for $550 and it went right through.  The UPS customs lady that I have been dealing with is EXTREMELY unhelpful.  UPS has been unhelpful.  I am waiting on a reply from corporate tomorrow. They even emailed me an invoice for another item that was very similar to another item I ordered but it was actually for someone else.

The last conversation that I had with UPS international was, that they need a form in person (or you mail in your passport - not copy).  This form is supposed to authorize UPS to be your customs broker.

When I agreed, over the phone, to have my cheap item abandoned, I asked about the future and was told "no worries".

So, I don't know if this is some new thing or what. 

Edited May 12, 2019 by AAArdvark

[Kasane]

Some people may think that Amazon goods are better because its an American company. But it sells the same goods made in China that Lazada does. An no add on hassle.

[AAArdvark]

Just now, Kasane said:

Some people may think that Amazon goods are better because its an American company. But it sells the same goods made in China that Lazada does. An no add on hassle.

I use both.  Amazon does have many items that Lazada does not.  I do go with Lazada when I can.

[DepDavid]

Yes and I have nothing nice to say about UPS Thailand. If you live close to the airport they do the “paperless customs registration “ for you but if you live in issan they want you to come to the airport to register. Trip would have cost as much as the package. They were going to “abandon “ the package until I filed a complaint with Amazon and they were able to give me a credit and get the package shipped back. Nothing but hassle from UPS. I will never have anything else sent here via UPS. Safest way is USPS.


Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

[AAArdvark]

2 minutes ago, DepDavid said:

Safest way is USPS

Might be but I know of no way to select the shipper with Amazon.  I have had good luck with Amazon/DHL.

[AAArdvark]

1 hour ago, muratremix said:

Just send them your passport scan via email or whatever they ask.

I bought several items from Amazon and never had issues.

 

 

Passport scan was not enough for me.  They also wanted me to either mail them my original passport or go the the Airport in Bangkok in person.  No other choices, no other explanations or help.

[yogi100]

A friend of mine ordered a laptop from Amazon while staying in Pattaya. It never turned up.

 

He eventually got his money back in the UK but doing so was not easy. It's bad enough dealing with 'Customer Services' in Falangland where we possibly speak the same lingo.

 

It must be a nightmare in the Land of Scams.

[AAArdvark]

In perfect English:

 

Dear Customers,

 

Please see in the attached files for import shipment US and feedback for your clearance instruction. 

   As the shipment hold in the customs to process the customs entry. To do the clearance process for the shipment , the importer need to contact the customs directly to do the Importer Paperless Registration. The importer must bring the Original passport or company’s documents and fill in the Registration form there. Most of importer come to the customs office near their location or if the customer can give us the original passport, pls.confirm us back.

  The Customs clearance process cannot be start until the importer do the above process. Once the Paperless Registration done, pls.inform us back. The shipment need also assess the duty and tax, the customs clearance charges, warehouse fee, terminal charges, document fee which UPS will inform back once the process finished. 

#In case clear under the personal’s name : MR./Miss/Mrs.** the customs require to put  the name title necessary for Manifest system**

Please support to run the process clearance.

1.             Please send your passport copy within today for re-check correct your name.

2.             Thai description of goods following in the invoice detail and HS Code If you have.

3.             Register for paperless at the custom office with your original passport or id card and tax fee 10 Bht.

The customs office : 1164 (For information about run the process “CUSTOMS CLEARANCE”)

  **** Before clearance  Please send original passport for add UPS broker before customs process .

 

Best Regards

Kanyarat Sinlaparussamee 

UPS Parcel Delivery Service ltd.  Suvarnaphumi Airport.

T. 02-728-9035 Fax. 02-7289046

E-mail: skanyarat@ups.com    website: www.ups.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attachments area

 

 

 

[WorriedNoodle]

8 hours ago, AAArdvark said:

I have a thread on this right now.

OK thanks. I could go to BKK if they want to see my passport or me. PITA but worth it. They sent me an email saying they would send a messenger to pick up my passport, but sod that. I'll do myself. As others said, Amazon picks UPS for you. In future I will revert to having Amazon send to Shipito, that was easy. I thought cutting out middle man would be easier, how wrong I was. Normally I'd buy Lazada but this is specialist equipment only on Amazon.

[AAArdvark]

2 hours ago, WorriedNoodle said:

OK thanks. I could go to BKK if they want to see my passport or me. PITA but worth it. They sent me an email saying they would send a messenger to pick up my passport, but sod that. I'll do myself. As others said, Amazon picks UPS for you. In future I will revert to having Amazon send to Shipito, that was easy. I thought cutting out middle man would be easier, how wrong I was. Normally I'd buy Lazada but this is specialist equipment only on Amazon.

Unfortunately for me, I am in Chiang Mai which makes a long trip for me.

Does Shipito have any customs issues and do you get your own address and, of course, is there a monthly fee?

[WorriedNoodle]

10 hours ago, AAArdvark said:

Does Shipito have any customs issues and do you get your own address

I last used Shipito several times for Amazon purchases when Amazon didn't ship to Thailand themselves, over 5 years ago. Shipito has a choice of address for free or paid member but to avoid US sales tax the address in Oregon can be used and that address costs 10USD/m. It's worth changing from free membership plan for a month only to avoid US sales tax? I used Fedex from Shipito and no import issues to Thailand, Fedex brought straight to door and asked for 7% tax on item price at door.

[muratremix]

It seems we need to buy stuff for our Thai wives/girlfriends name in the future. Sending Thai ID must be much easier than sending a passport (renewing id card is easier and painless)

[luckyluke]

22 hours ago, Henryford said:

I recently bought 2 Acer laptops via Lazada here here in Thailand. Both good, no problems and just as cheap

I bought a Acer via Lazada last week. Windows 10 was suppose to be included, it wasn't.

1000 ThB extra in an IT shop at Terminal 21 Bangkok.
All together still a fair price.

[THAIPHUKET]

Helpful hint! Thanks

That's why it's better to buy from a reputable Thai company eg Invade IT, so you get warranty, no unexpected charges, get it immediately, and get back up help from Thomas. 
 

The website
https://www.invadeit.co.th/

Sent from my Pixel using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[WorriedNoodle]

In case anyone needs to know, I purchased a laptop on Amazon as it's not available anywhere else that I could find like Lazada or Invade where I might normally go. Hence the reason for thread as I already know the local suppliers. It was ordered midweek and arrived in Bangkok last weekend with UPS - no choice. UPS then insisted on I travel to BKK airport to give them the original passport for several hours so they process a register of me importing the item. I think if I didn't send my passport to the airport the laptop would never get released. Three days later I got the laptop delivered with an enclosed tax document from Thailand saying how much tax in THB had been paid by Amazon - about 7% same as Amazon already added to my bill. So all in all not bad, if you don't mind going to BKK airport!

 

Slower than using Amazon to Shipito mail forwarder in US and my prefered Fedex courier who I will revert to in future I think. Fedex don't drag you to airport or even want to see your passport, last time for a similar priced laptop.

[AAArdvark]

8 minutes ago, WorriedNoodle said:

I think if I didn't send my passport to the airport the laptop would never get released.

Yes it would be "abandoned".  This seems to be a fairly new thing with UPS.  And, they only operate at BKK. 

[fred110]

I went to Lamchabang for the one time customs registration. That was 2 weeks ago. I sent scans of my passport pages,  including my departure card, to Ups. I call every day, finally yesterday I called the Ups main office. I got a call back saying the name on the package from Amazon does not match my passport, no middle name. The lady said she will try to work it out with customs.

[TerryClarke]

On 5/13/2019 at 3:27 AM, WorriedNoodle said:

I last used Shipito several times for Amazon purchases when Amazon didn't ship to Thailand themselves, over 5 years ago. Shipito has a choice of address for free or paid member but to avoid US sales tax the address in Oregon can be used and that address costs 10USD/m. It's worth changing from free membership plan for a month only to avoid US sales tax? I used Fedex from Shipito and no import issues to Thailand, Fedex brought straight to door and asked for 7% tax on item price at door.

I have a good news for you. Planet Express (Shipito alternative) just opened their warehouse in Portland, Oregon.

[WorriedNoodle]

15 hours ago, TerryClarke said:

Planet Express (Shipito alternative) just opened their warehouse in Portland, Oregon.

Always good to have alternatives. Their price plan looks almost the same as Shipito and needs a 10USD monthly fee to use Oregon. Useful for both shipping agents if the tax is bigger than that.