import from India / changes?

[hellohello]

I need some meds , not currently avail in thailand.  out of stock.  are there changes with importing for personal use with customs?  

[Yellowtail]

You mean is it still illegal? 

[hellohello]

I guess so 🙂

 

[hellohello]

it's not a controlled substance.  but thailand is out of stock until 2025..   I understand risks.. but someone said rules changed again in July 2024.   anyone know?

[Sheryl]

I am not aware of any rule change on import of pharmaceuticals. It was, and is, illegal without an FDA permit.  Nothwithstanding that,  small quantities sent by regular mail are usually allowed through.

 

There has been a recent change regarding customs duties on low value parcels of all types.  I haven't heard how thst is eorking in practice.

 

There was a board member some time back who actually managed to get FDA permission  to import a nedication not available im Thsilznd. You can read sbout the process here 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1178361-importing-personal-meds-via-dhl/

[John49]

I commented previously on how I successfully imported meds via EMS, but held up in customs (several times), after payment of a fee to customs.

That was customs at Prachuap.

 

No such luck today with customs in Laem Chabang.

After opening my package surrounded by friendly onlookers, I was directed to the offices of the FDA.

I was met by an angry official who immediately jumped up and shouted out it was against the law if an import licence was not available.

I tried to argue that it was a small amount for personal use (2 small bottles of tablets). This made him more angry.

Bottom line – no meds today.

 

Fortunately, I have a backup plan, same meds can be bought from a pharmacy outside Siriraj, but about twice the price of importing from India.

My first delivery made it through without customs intervention at Laem Chabang. This was my second delivery.

I will not import again if it potentially involves a visit to customs at Laem Chabang, friendly staff in the front office, but a nasty piece of work in the back office.

 

Obviously, some customs offices are flexible on small amounts for personal use like Prachuap, some are completely inflexible like Laem Chabang.

 

[John49]

My small package of meds has now arrived back in India, having been forcefully returned to India, by highly agitated Thai customs at Laem Chabang.

 

From the beginning, when I started receiving meds from India, I understood that EMS was the best with a handwritten address – to appear non-commercial.

It worked well with Customs elsewhere; if held back, I paid a small fee as import tax, but not at Laem Chabang.

Not sure where I got this advice from (EMS, plus handwritten address) – probably Google.

 

My supplier in India is now telling me the following:

"To send you by Fedex , we just need this  details  as below 

DR prescription
Any id proof 
E-mail id “

 

I then asked him the following:

“Are you saying that if you had sent via Fedex, with correct listed documents, my package would not be held back in Thai customs?”

He replied "yes".

 

So, looks like I could have been using Fedex all along, with zero visits to Thai Customs?

For anyone who has spent time in India – this kind of misinformation makes sense, and yet it may still not be reliable...

 

Shortly I will in Australia, and will be arranging for my shipment to be sent there.

Be interested to know if any has any actual success using Fedex from India into Thailand – for small packages of meds.

[Sheryl]

20 minutes ago, John49 said:

My small package of meds has now arrived back in India, having been forcefully returned to India, by highly agitated Thai customs at Laem Chabang.

 

From the beginning, when I started receiving meds from India, I understood that EMS was the best with a handwritten address – to appear non-commercial.

It worked well with Customs elsewhere; if held back, I paid a small fee as import tax, but not at Laem Chabang.

Not sure where I got this advice from (EMS, plus handwritten address) – probably Google.

 

My supplier in India is now telling me the following:

"To send you by Fedex , we just need this  details  as below 

DR prescription
Any id proof 
E-mail id “

 

I then asked him the following:

“Are you saying that if you had sent via Fedex, with correct listed documents, my package would not be held back in Thai customs?”

He replied "yes".

 

So, looks like I could have been using Fedex all along, with zero visits to Thai Customs?

For anyone who has spent time in India – this kind of misinformation makes sense, and yet it may still not be reliable...

 

Shortly I will in Australia, and will be arranging for my shipment to be sent there.

Be interested to know if any has any actual success using Fedex from India into Thailand – for small packages of meds.

Do  not send by Fedex!!!!!!

 

The "correct documents" include a permit from the Thai FDA which is very difficult, if nto impossible, to obtain and you will have to pay storage charges in the meantimne.

 

Use of Fedex or DHL guarantees customs problem.

 

Regular post is the best way to send but there is always possibility of it getting stopped, as happened in your case.

 

Remember that it is illegal to import pharmaceuticals by mail without an FDA import license. Which is usually only granted to hospitals and registered pharmacies.