Wine In Checked Baggage

[wimpy]

Can I bring a few (6) bottles of wine into Thailand in my checked baggage, declaring  it to customs? What is the duty rate on wine?

[chickenslegs]

AFAIK importing alcohol (more than 1L) requires a licence, and it's not possible to just declare it and pay the duty..

[wimpy]

Rats. :(

[CanadaSam]

People will probably shout at me, but when I travel, I put everything I want into my checked luggage, (except blatantly illegal things i.e. drugs, weapons).

 

At most, some items may be confiscated, so don't put anything you simply can not afford to lose.

 

BTW think about how many times you have been asked to open your bags at international airports.

 

Edited October 7 by CanadaSam
Added BTW

[Keeps]

2 hours ago, wimpy said:

Can I bring a few (6) bottles of wine into Thailand in my checked baggage, declaring  it to customs? What is the duty rate on wine?

2 years ago I had three bottles of whisky (2 expensive as gifts, 1 not so expensive) in my checked luggage. When I was going through customs at Suvarnabhumi I was directed to put my suitcase through the x-ray machine. They then opened it and located my stash. I was told I could only bring one bottle through. I proffered the cheapest bottle to the customs chap and he let me on my way with with the other two bottles.

 

Luck of the draw really whether you get pulled aside for a check or suitcase x-ray. In my last 50+ arrivals I have been pulled over twice.

[hotandsticky]

2 minutes ago, Keeps said:

2 years ago I had three bottles of whisky (2 expensive as gifts, 1 not so expensive) in my checked luggage. When I was going through customs at Suvarnabhumi I was directed to put my suitcase through the x-ray machine. They then opened it and located my stash. I was told I could only bring one bottle through. I proffered the cheapest bottle to the customs chap and he let me on my way with with the other two bottles.

 

Luck of the draw really whether you get pulled aside for a check or suitcase x-ray. In my last 50+ arrivals I have been pulled over twice.

 

 

A good result; better than many similar stories I have heard.

[spidermike007]

I will occasionally bring one bottle in one bag and another bottle in another bag, and I've never had an issue, though it is over the limit of 1L. If you are serious about bringing a quantity of fine wine into Thailand you can buy a customs agent, but you have to do that in advance.

 

A friend of mine does that, it's a general from customs, he meets them at the gate, brings them on the buggy, thru immigration and they pick up his many cases of wine, and the guy drives them out his limo. But I think he pays a fairly significant annual fee for that privilege, and he brings many cases of wine and stays at a suite in a five star hotel, so money is not an object for him. 

[bangkok19]

I bring just ONE BOTTLE to Bangkok and once consumed...   I enjoy shopping in the many wine shops over the city for wines I can't get in my home country ...

[ravip]

Hope this helps...

Importation of Alcoholic Beverages and Cigarettes

 

https://www.customs.go.th/list_strc_simple_neted.php?ini_content=individual_160503_03_160905_01&lang=en&left_menu=menu_individual_submenu_01_160421_01

[marin]

33 minutes ago, bangkok19 said:

I bring just ONE BOTTLE to Bangkok and once consumed...   I enjoy shopping in the many wine shops over the city for wines I can't get in my home country ...

Where is your home country? As Thailand has one of the worst and most expensive wines for sale I have ever encountered. Either in restaurants or for sale in markets. 

[Gottfrid]

16 hours ago, wimpy said:

Can I bring a few (6) bottles of wine into Thailand in my checked baggage, declaring  it to customs? What is the duty rate on wine?

Yes, you can if you go on red and declare. No license needed if it can be assumed you bring for own consumption. For license to be needed the value must be much higher than only 6 bottles, if they are not old, found on the bottom of the ocean and only exists in a dozen. 😉 

According to the rules, you should go red, declare and should be given a flat rate to pay as customs tax. However, that can differ, and as they have fairly high tax on importing wine, they might give you a little bit higher price tag.

[thecyclist]

15 hours ago, CanadaSam said:

People will probably shout at me, but when I travel, I put everything I want into my checked luggage, (except blatantly illegal things i.e. drugs, weapons).

 

At most, some items may be confiscated, so don't put anything you simply can not afford to lose.

 

BTW think about how many times you have been asked to open your bags at international airports.

 

Never ever been asked at airports. but from what I was told  if they catch you, they don't just confiscate the smuggled merch, they fine you 7× the value of what you didn't declare. Could get expensive. 

[marin]

1 hour ago, thecyclist said:

they don't just confiscate the smuggled merch, they fine you 7× the value of what you didn't declare. Could get expensive. 

Sorry but you are so very wrong.  From the Thai Customs Website.

 

• Importation of Alcoholic Beverages and Cigarettes
• Customs Procedure for arriving passengers at the Nothing to Declare or Green Channel
• Customs Procedure for arriving passengers at the Goods to Declare or Red Channel

Importation of Alcoholic Beverages and Cigarettes

The alcoholic beverages and cigarettes exempted from duty are listed as follows:

1. No more than 200 cigarettes or 250g of tobacco or 250g of all types combined
2. No more than 1 litre of alcoholic beverage 

The excess quantities of cigarettes, tobacco or alcoholic beverages must be dropped in the box provided by Customs,
otherwise prosecution will be carried out.

[thecyclist]

1 hour ago, marin said:

Sorry but you are so very wrong.  From the Thai Customs Website.

 

• Importation of Alcoholic Beverages and Cigarettes
• Customs Procedure for arriving passengers at the Nothing to Declare or Green Channel
• Customs Procedure for arriving passengers at the Goods to Declare or Red Channel

Importation of Alcoholic Beverages and Cigarettes

The alcoholic beverages and cigarettes exempted from duty are listed as follows:

1. No more than 200 cigarettes or 250g of tobacco or 250g of all types combined
2. No more than 1 litre of alcoholic beverage 

The excess quantities of cigarettes, tobacco or alcoholic beverages must be dropped in the box provided by Customs,
otherwise prosecution will be carried out.

Otherwise prosecution will be carried put.

Part of that prosecution is a fine. 

[marin]

Just now, thecyclist said:

Otherwise prosecution will be carried put.

Part of that prosecution is a fine. 

Otherwise my ass, you have to throw the stuff out. Better than a fine. Been that way forever. There is no 7x the value and you know it. Show your link. 

[chickenslegs]

5 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

Yes, you can if you go on red and declare. No license needed if it can be assumed you bring for own consumption. For license to be needed the value must be much higher than only 6 bottles, if they are not old, found on the bottom of the ocean and only exists in a dozen. 😉 

According to the rules, you should go red, declare and should be given a flat rate to pay as customs tax. However, that can differ, and as they have fairly high tax on importing wine, they might give you a little bit higher price tag.

This is incorrect. The actual rule is posted by @marin a couple of posts below yours. You can not declare alcohol or tobacco above the allowed limit and expect to pay the duties.

[Photoguy21]

22 hours ago, wimpy said:

Can I bring a few (6) bottles of wine into Thailand in my checked baggage, declaring  it to customs? What is the duty rate on wine?

You can buy wine in Thailand you know, just a bit of information you may not have been told.

[madone]

22 hours ago, wimpy said:

Can I bring a few (6) bottles of wine into Thailand in my checked baggage, declaring  it to customs? What is the duty rate on wine?

If you declare it you are foolish

[Photoguy21]

4 minutes ago, madone said:

If you declare it you are foolish

And if you get caught not declaring it you are an idiot.

[Gottfrid]

1 hour ago, chickenslegs said:

This is incorrect. The actual rule is posted by @marin a couple of posts below yours. You can not declare alcohol or tobacco above the allowed limit and expect to pay the duties.

Ok, I think you will have to explain that a little bit more. I have seen that info, from the customs website. It only stands that amount is duty free, but where do you find info about that you are not allowed to pay duty on excessive amount? I have done, so I talk out of experience. However, it was a couple of years ago.

[chickenslegs]

3 minutes ago, Gottfrid said:

Ok, I think you will have to explain that a little bit more. I have seen that info, from the customs website. It only stands that amount is duty free, but where do you find info about that you are not allowed to pay duty on excessive amount? I have done, so I talk out of experience. However, it was a couple of years ago.

It's there in the rules.

Importation of Alcoholic Beverages and Cigarettes

The alcoholic beverages and cigarettes exempted from duty are listed as follows:

1. No more than 200 cigarettes or 250g of tobacco or 250g of all types combined
2. No more than 1 litre of alcoholic beverage 

The excess quantities of cigarettes, tobacco or alcoholic beverages must be dropped in the box provided by Customs,
otherwise prosecution will be carried out.

[Gottfrid]

40 minutes ago, chickenslegs said:

It's there in the rules.

Importation of Alcoholic Beverages and Cigarettes

The alcoholic beverages and cigarettes exempted from duty are listed as follows:

1. No more than 200 cigarettes or 250g of tobacco or 250g of all types combined
2. No more than 1 litre of alcoholic beverage 

The excess quantities of cigarettes, tobacco or alcoholic beverages must be dropped in the box provided by Customs,
otherwise prosecution will be carried out.

Yeah, I can see that, and I can read as well. Why do you feel the need to give me information I´ve already read once again. The information above, is taken from under the headline for green line (Nothing to declare). Of course you must throw it in the box if you say you have nothing to declare. Otherwise you are trying to smuggle in excessive amount.

You tell me instead. Where in this information, does it stand that you can not walk the red line and declare excessive amount and pay duty for that amount? Now please answer the question and refrain from posting me info I´ve already told you I´ve read.

[xtrnuno41]

BOught last year 1 bottle of Balileys for the wife, duty free.

PAst from my country and in Thailand had to go on other plane.

Bottle was there, not wrapped in special plastic bag, hadnt notice it as they always are.

Lost the bottle. Could have  wrapped it (they told me) , but then I should have gone back long way (BK) to do so.

[chickenslegs]

45 minutes ago, Gottfrid said:

Yeah, I can see that, and I can read as well. Why do you feel the need to give me information I´ve already read once again. The information above, is taken from under the headline for green line (Nothing to declare). Of course you must throw it in the box if you say you have nothing to declare. Otherwise you are trying to smuggle in excessive amount.

You tell me instead. Where in this information, does it stand that you can not walk the red line and declare excessive amount and pay duty for that amount? Now please answer the question and refrain from posting me info I´ve already told you I´ve read.

In the link to Thai Customs ... https://www.customs.go.th/list_strc_simple_neted.php?ini_content=individual_160503_03_160905_01&lang=en&left_menu=menu_individual_submenu_01_160421_01#individual_F01_160426_04

 

There are 3 categories:

 

1. Cigarettes and alcohol. Limit is 200 cigs and 1L alcohol. Any more must be put in the bin (you lose it). If you don't put it in the bin you get prosecuted (and lose it)

 

2. Nothing to declare. Self explanatory.

 

3. Goods to declare. Anything except cigarettes and alcohol, which are already covered in the first category. I.e. - handbags, watches, perfumes, etc above the 20,000 baht value limit.

 

If you insist that alcohol can be declared and duties paid at the airport you need to put up a link.

[Gottfrid]

53 minutes ago, chickenslegs said:

In the link to Thai Customs ... https://www.customs.go.th/list_strc_simple_neted.php?ini_content=individual_160503_03_160905_01&lang=en&left_menu=menu_individual_submenu_01_160421_01#individual_F01_160426_04

 

There are 3 categories:

 

1. Cigarettes and alcohol. Limit is 200 cigs and 1L alcohol. Any more must be put in the bin (you lose it). If you don't put it in the bin you get prosecuted (and lose it)

 

2. Nothing to declare. Self explanatory.

 

3. Goods to declare. Anything except cigarettes and alcohol, which are already covered in the first category. I.e. - handbags, watches, perfumes, etc above the 20,000 baht value limit.

 

If you insist that alcohol can be declared and duties paid at the airport you need to put up a link.

Ok, I didn´t see that. Have no link at all. However, I did declare some years ago, but as we all know they work different and maybe saw a chance to get Friday party money.

Anyway, I will get information tomorrow directly from the customs at airport as I am flying to Dubai.

Edited October 8 by Gottfrid

[thecyclist]

On 10/8/2024 at 1:53 PM, marin said:

Otherwise my ass, you have to throw the stuff out. Better than a fine. Been that way forever. There is no 7x the value and you know it. Show your link. 

Is your ass your "thinking organ" ,otherwise known as the brain??

[marin]

15 minutes ago, thecyclist said:

Is your ass your "thinking organ" ,otherwise known as the brain??

Give me a break. You made it up and got caught out. Sh*t happens..😂

[BKKBike09]

On 10/7/2024 at 4:39 PM, wimpy said:

Can I bring a few (6) bottles of wine into Thailand in my checked baggage, declaring  it to customs? What is the duty rate on wine?

 

You can bring as much as you like in your checked baggage but as soon as you declare you will likely lose it. 

 

if you're up for a round of x-ray roulette when you arrive here, don't declare and you may sail through. However, if your bags are put through the scanner, you'll have a problem: best case, lose the lot. Worst case: prosecution for duty evasion.

 

Whether you get asked to put bags through scanners depends on many random factors. If you've got a trolley laded with bags, so look like a returning resident, chance of scan is much higher than if you look like a visitor here for two weeks with a single case and a small hand carry.

 

Also, Customs at SVB are not stupid and they know a fancy wine when they see it. Or they will google it if they don't.

 

Two bottles you're probably going to be okay but you never know ...

 

 

[Unamerican]

On 10/8/2024 at 8:47 AM, bangkok19 said:

I enjoy shopping in the many wine shops over the city for wines I can't get in my home country ...

Do you equally enjoy the very high prices here? 

[hotandsticky]

3 hours ago, BKKBike09 said:

 

You can bring as much as you like in your checked baggage but as soon as you declare you will likely lose it. 

 

if you're up for a round of x-ray roulette when you arrive here, don't declare and you may sail through. However, if your bags are put through the scanner, you'll have a problem: best case, lose the lot. Worst case: prosecution for duty evasion.

 

Whether you get asked to put bags through scanners depends on many random factors. If you've got a trolley laded with bags, so look like a returning resident, chance of scan is much higher than if you look like a visitor here for two weeks with a single case and a small hand carry.

 

Also, Customs at SVB are not stupid and they know a fancy wine when they see it. Or they will google it if they don't.

 

Two bottles you're probably going to be okay but you never know ...

 

 

 

 

Losing it is not the issue.....that is the inherent risk if you exceed the allowance.

 

The issue is the fine (and their option of imprisoning you - yes, it has happened).

 

https://www.tilleke.com/insights/new-and-improved-penalty-scheme-under-2017-thai-customs-act/#:~:text=Section 242 prohibits importing or,whether the person is punished.

Edited October 10 by hotandsticky