Dietary Supplements

[Trevor]

I heard there is a punitive tax on dietary supplements imported by post or courier into Thailand. Clearly the government is not keen to encourage their use, and there is virtually no domestic production apart from basic vitamins. Even MSM is banned (= unapproved).

Has anyone successfully imported supplements from the USA and, if so, were you charged much in duty? Did you use post or a courier like DHL? Thanks.

[expatwannabe]

I've done it four or five times in the past year. The customs label always said "supplements."

The customs tarriff seemed to depend on my shipping method and customs declaration. When the package was sent air parcel post from the U.S., valued at $25 or under, and marked "Gift," I was never charged anything.

If you go FedEx, DHL, or UPS you'll be sure to be charged the full tarriff - which is based on declared value plus cost of shipping.

Good to know about MSM - I guess I won't be having any (more) of that sent through the mail!