I've just received a message that Thai customs have stopped a package to my lady partner in Thailand from aliexpress. A few random items totalling about 1000 baht. Nothing dangerous at all. Electronics parts like led, temperature reader gun. The only thing I can think caught their eye, a balaclava.

 

anybody else getting their small packages stopped?

Duty is not generally applicable until 1500 baht.

Depends what/how it was declared.

 

I wonder if "temperature reader gun" might have caught their eye

 

As above, it's unusual for small, low-value packages to get snagged. Just provide the requested info. and see what transpires. 

Medical drugs require special permit to import and suspect these medical items might face the same depending on how listed on manifest.  Much safer to use Lazada or Shopee for any such items I suspect.

Waiting for the notification in mail so I can follow up. So far it's just what AliExpress have said.  I'll keep you informed. #FreeAssangeTate

8 hours ago, TimeMachine said:

I've just received a message that Thai customs have stopped a package to my lady partner in Thailand from aliexpress ...

anybody else getting their small packages stopped?

I had a small package from Japan intercepted by Customs (using Japan post and Thailand Post here) and had duty charged a few weeks ago.   Just luck of the draw.

There is no real "reason"   they are like 4 year olds.........  just do what they want.... I have given up on them...  not worth all the hassle....  meanwhile, the big boys obviosly have some deal going...  and some small ones... dont know how...  sectret squirell business...

Docoment thoroughly what's in the parcel, preferable with product page and link, and customs release within few days, unless item not allowed in Thailand.

 

Last month my parcel was in custom 4 days until they accepted my product page and links.

My parcels was valued way more than 1500 baht limit, but  vat tax was already paid when purchased.

Unusual for items from Ali Express, Lazada, Shoppee, etc to be targeted.

 

Usually its a small fee to pay and not worth the hassle to contest it.  Usually you'll get a receipt for an amount you need to pay before they'll release it.

 

It happened recently with an electric toothbrush.  They considered it a medical instrument and needed a doctor's note.  Same toothbrushes sold in Robinson.

 

It sometimes feels like extortion but it's small chance you take when some products are super overpriced here because of the monopolies by a few families and high taxes. 

 

Anyway hopefully it isn't too much of a hassle to get the delivery to it's desired location. 

It depends on the which side of the bed they woke up on. 

Thanks for your messages all. I have good news. The items arrived. 

This can be closed off.

 

Have a Sooper trooper day all.

I'm bringing a 3500baht grill through the airport.   Last time I flew in, the pay duty lane was closed so I had to go to the nothing to declare line and the guy whisked me right though.   I had my usual crates of food, and when I told him that, I got the mai pen rai.

6 minutes ago, madisongy said:

I'm bringing a 3500baht grill through the airport.   Last time I flew in, the pay duty lane was closed so I had to go to the nothing to declare line and the guy whisked me right though.   I had my usual crates of food, and when I told him that, I got the mai pen rai.

Bringing things in through the airport green vs red lane is somewhat different than duty in shipped (posted) items.... 

 

 

Customs at the airport seem extremely relaxed - I’ve brought in loads of stuff from Bikes, to Skiis to Pushchairs, car seats etc...  I’ve only had to put one bag through the x-ray machine once in over a decade.

 

Customs via ‘post /shipping’ are also very relaxed, but do stop some items from time to time. As another poster mentioned, it depends on who is ‘shipping the items’.... DHL / FedEx are a sure way to get your item stopped / taxed. 

 

----

 

I had some clothes ordered for my Son (from Next online) - About 1000 baht (if I recall correctly)... I was taxed something in the region of 600 baht (can’t remember)... but it was a large chunk of the item which ‘should’ have fallen below the tax threshold...    We had to pay...  > Slightly irritating but not a show-stopper, I’m still in ‘credit’ given the two bottles of Whisky I bring in each time I fly in !!!

 

 

 

5 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

I’ve brought in loads of stuff from Bikes, to Skiis

Where do you Ski in Thailand?

21 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

Bringing things in through the airport green vs red lane is somewhat different than duty in shipped (posted) items.... 

Customs at the airport seem extremely relaxed - I’ve brought in loads of stuff from Bikes, to Skiis to Pushchairs, car seats etc...  I’ve only had to put one bag through the x-ray machine once in over a decade.

Thanks for that Richard.  Looked like on the Customs website, I'm good with personal belongings under 20,000 baht.   I'd be well under that.

Agree with your comments on shipped items.   I always use the postal service rather than DHL/FEDEX/UPS...and I have never had a problem.   in addition to the normal shipments, I've twice shipped documents using US Postal Service Global Express Guaranteed.  About $75 at the time, but they missed the delivery commitment by one day........on two separate occasions...... and they refunded the fee both times.