How can I minimise import duty on my personal use musical instruments?

[jimmybcool]

13 minutes ago, Celsius said:

Good luck with humidity and your instruments. Waste of effort and money. And you will get taxed. 

 

I kept a very high end acoustic guitar (SCGC VJ)  in my condo for 10 years.  And I spent 3 months on and off being there so half the time the AC wasn't on.  That guitar (and the Fender Stratacaster) was fine when I sold it.  I have more issues with humidity here in Arizona where I have to insert humidipaks into the cases to prevent them drying out and cracking.  

[DrJack54]

28 minutes ago, jimmybcool said:

I kept a very high end acoustic guitar (SCGC VJ)  in my condo for 10 years.

From the OP...

"Weight probably less than 700kg.

It won't be solely music gear, some useful but inexpensive domestic stuff too".

 

[Celsius]

49 minutes ago, jimmybcool said:

 

I kept a very high end acoustic guitar (SCGC VJ)  in my condo for 10 years.  And I spent 3 months on and off being there so half the time the AC wasn't on.  That guitar (and the Fender Stratacaster) was fine when I sold it.  I have more issues with humidity here in Arizona where I have to insert humidipaks into the cases to prevent them drying out and cracking.  

 

Nonsense. You will see.

[jimmybcool]

2 hours ago, Celsius said:

 

Nonsense. You will see.

 

What part is nonsense?  I mean I simply wrote what I experienced.  Did I imagine it?  Do you think I am unaware of what humidity or lack of does to expensive instruments?

[Tunesmith]

18 hours ago, Celsius said:

Good luck with humidity and your instruments. Waste of effort and money. And you will get taxed. 

This is a very pertinent point @Celsius – one hopes for the best but could be in for the worst. Do you advise against this from your own experience of humidity damage or are you conveying the most likely outcome?

 

My stringed instruments are all in cases (not gig bags) and I had in mind to add decent-sized desiccant packs. Maybe I'd get away with it, or perhaps I'd just be delaying the inevitable.

 

The experience of @jimmybcool seems encouraging but maybe condos do a better job of environmental control. 

 

It wasn't exactly planned, but I do have a brand new electric guitar in Hua Hin. Back in January, I visited BeatSpot for the first time and bought a budget model that kept me entertained during my stay. I left it properly packed away in its box at a mate's place, not far from the shop. Maybe it's too early to tell, but I will definitely be eyeing its condition on my return.

 

Anyway, I came on this forum to get advice and so I'm definitely taking note. As much as it pains me now, "cull baby cull" may save me a lot of pain later.

 

I'll have to let this sink in for a while, but I can already see my next post topic:
Seeking grief counselling in Hua Hin.
😉

[Tunesmith]

18 hours ago, jacnl2000 said:

Documentation proving the country of manufacture of a guitar is the key that unlocks any FTA benefits ...the FTA only applies to EU-origin goods, not U.S.-made instruments.

I don't think I own a guitar that was made in Europe. Perhaps it's time I started trying out a few Hofners. 🤔

But seriously, this is very informative, thank you. No doubt what you have explained in few lines took up 50 pages in the FTA memorandum. 🙃

[CFCol]

On 6/23/2025 at 6:48 AM, frank83628 said:

When moving to Thailand you have a 6 month window to move your personal affects, without incurring duty costs. 

 

I forget the name of the site but you will find it under Google search 'import charges Thailand'

 

 

When

 

On 6/21/2025 at 9:14 PM, Tunesmith said:

Hi all, I plan to move from the UK to Hua Hin on a non-immigrant O visa.

As far as personal possessions go, my collection of musical instruments, recording equipment and tech gear is all I want to bring with me. I just want to use them for my own projects, not for anything commercial. However, I'm concerned that Thai customs might not see it that way.

I also read the "Non Immigrant Quota" posting by @MangoKorat which, while fascinating, was inconclusive, alas.
 

Can anyone advise me on the best approach? Maybe the contents needs to be documented in some preferred way. I also read somewhere about 'brokers' of sorts, who hang around the ports and negotiate the duty charges for you. Obviously I'd prefer not to pay anything but I suspect that's unlikely, I just don't want to overpay.
 

Incidentally, I will probably use Seven Seas Worldwide 'MoveCube' for shipping to BKK, but am open to suggestions. Thanks.

If you want duty relief on used personal and household 

effects on change of residence, you would have to be on a long term visa I believe, eg non O retirement. Then you have up to three months after you arrive to import the goods, usually only paying T money as used effects are tax free on change of residence. A non O is only valid for 90 days.