Unplesant surprise for online order (iHerb), VAT/duty precollect

[KhunBENQ]

Seems the rule for collecting VAT on imports less than 1500 Baht is in effect?

 

Today I wanted to order some supplements/vitamins from iHerb as done in the past.

Unpleasant surprises.

They precollect VAT for orders less 1500 Baht.

They precollect VAT and import duty for more than 1500.

Max 3 items per order!

Flash Express as only shipment option (Thai Post discontinued).

Free shipment over 40 USD (which is just short of 1500 Baht).

Most cost effective ordering becomes a math puzzle now.

[KhunBENQ]

Quote

A 7% VAT will apply to all imported goods due to an upcoming tax regulation change. Delivered duty paid option will be offered by iHerb.

- Orders below 1,500 THB: 7% VAT will be pre-collected at checkout

- Orders over 1,500 THB: 7% VAT and customs duty will be pre-collected at checkout

Upcoming! they write.

Quote

Shipping method is not available. Please adjust your cart if you would like to use this carrier.

Product(s) in your cart has exceeded maximum quantity with the selected shipping option.

No other shipping option available.

[worgeordie]

There has been no VAT or other tax collection on my

orders from China ,bought a couple of Mini PC 's in 

last week ,and some other useless stuff from Aliexpress

 

Yes I was looking at I Herb website and only orders under

B1,500 are not taxed import duty, but tax for VAT and

Free delivery is only for over B 1,500 .

 

regards worgeordie

[KhunBENQ]

Obviously things will change. They write "upcoming" changes but are already following new rules.
 

One order from iHerb in May was 78 USD.

I had to pickup the parcel at the post office and had to pay some 360 Baht tax/duties.

Other order from them in this year with lower value came by the postman to the gate without any cost.

 

I guess the stupid 3 item rule comes from FlashExpress?

 

 

[KhunBENQ]

26 minutes ago, worgeordie said:

Free delivery is only for over B 1,500 .

Just did an order of 47 USD.

I always switch to USD although my credit card is in EUR (no fee for foreign currency use).

(Once my credit card was locked/cancelled. No reason given but I have a feeling that is was due to the reason I ordered in THB).

 

[Ste78]

I ordered recently and got the new tax applied.

 

Actually it was around 15% value of goods instead of 7%, but how to complain?

[TheAppletons]

4 minutes ago, Ste78 said:

I ordered recently and got the new tax applied.

 

Actually it was around 15% value of goods instead of 7%, but how to complain?

 

  It was likely import duty and VAT.  To make it worse, they charge VAT after they add the import duty so you're paying tax on a tax.

[Hakuna Matata]

It has been introduced this year.

 

The same as European Union IOSS system.

 

But EU VAT is about 20% on the average, while Thailand VAT is only 7%.

 

Nothing to worry about.

 

I never buy from iHerb. The prices are inflated.

 

And this is just Multi Level Marketing, I hate.

[KhunBENQ]

27 minutes ago, Hakuna Matata said:

The prices are inflated

Compared to what?

To the exorbitant prices on the shelfs here? Cost a multitude of the iHerb prices.

 

Multilevel marketing??

[giddyup]

19 hours ago, KhunBENQ said:

Obviously things will change. They write "upcoming" changes but are already following new rules.
 

One order from iHerb in May was 78 USD.

I had to pickup the parcel at the post office and had to pay some 360 Baht tax/duties.

Other order from them in this year with lower value came by the postman to the gate without any cost.

 

I guess the stupid 3 item rule comes from FlashExpress?

 

 

It's become just as cheap to buy some vitamins, herbs etc from Lazada as iHerb if you factor in tax and delivery fees. A lot of the same items and brands are available on Lazada.

[john donson]

this is not 7% ....  it is 17% that iherb is adding... 

 

you will be taxed on the shipping also... 

 

I used to buy quality supplements, as thailand only has JUNK with all the wrong forms of minerals... zink oxide (skin creme), calcium CARBONATE (useless), magnesium OXIDE (only good for constipation),   fake B vitamins... etc...

[DogNo1]

My strategy now is to buy on iHerb when items are on sale. I get emails from them frequently announcing sales.  I wait for the Sitewide sales or sales of brands that I like.

 

this double taxation is rampant in Thailand. Tax on service charges, tax on tax, etc.  My laundry charges at the hotel include 7% included in the per-item charge, then the whole bill is taxed 7% by the hotel after a service charge is added.
 

Incidentally, about two years ago, most of my shipments from iHerb were not taxed.  Now the advance tax makes sure that all shipments are taxed no matter what the value of the shipment is.  Now even items express shipped by my daughter from Washington are taxed even though the packages are not opened.  I don’t know how they calculate the value.  The tax that I paid recently was about 7% of the postage charge.   Taxing is now pretty aggressive.   Medicine shipped to me from India just is not delivered to me.  I guess that it is seized by customs without notification to me.