So I wanted to get a laptop sent to me in Thailand from a major EU country. I was of course concerned about damage, loss of the laptop and above all, how long it would take.  In case any of you want to get a laptop sent, I have some good news: It took 3 days. 

 

I kid you not, it took 3 days.  Over the weekend. And since laptops are free of customs duties, the only payable items were customs processing at 200 baht and VAT at 1600 baht, so it cost me a grand total of 1800 Baht to import this laptop. 

 

I used DHL Express, the sending cost was around 200 Euro.

 

This can be done in 3 days now. I was blown away.

So a 26.600 B computer ?

Paid vat in europe too ?

 

They didn't have the same in Thailand ?

They did not have the same one in Thailand anywhere.

 

I guess you pay the VAT on purchase.

 

But in Thailand the VAT is only 7 per cent.

 

I could not believe how cheap it was to import this laptop.

 

But the most incredible thing was that  DHL Express got it here in 3 days. That just blew my mind.

 

All good as well, nothing damaged.

1 minute ago, Cameroni said:

They did not have the same one in Thailand anywhere.

 

I guess you pay the VAT on purchase.

 

But in Thailand the VAT is only 7 per cent.

 

I could not believe how cheap it was to import this laptop.

 

But the most incredible thing was that  DHL Express got it here in 3 days. That just blew my mind.

 

All good as well, nothing damaged.

But what VAT did you pay in the country of purchase. And does it have an International Warranty?

One other important thing. This laptop cost 2500 Euros. I got my person in the EU country to remove all packaging and to declare the laptop as 500 Euro and to declare it as a gift.

 

Neither DHL in the EU, nor in Thailand questioned any of this. They simply took the 500 Euro at face value and calculated the VAT of 7% on this 500 Euro.

 

 

Wow!   Thank you for the info about no duty on laptops, I've been getting ads from a company in the states called NewEgg.com with ridiculously low prices for laptops!  I'll now look seriously into ordering one!

Is it Hunter's?

2 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

But what VAT did you pay in the country of purchase. And does it have an International Warranty?

 

There is a warranty, but I never use warranties. If anything happens I'll take the hit. But I've owned one Samsung laptop from 2010 to now, and the only work that had to be done was the cooling paste which I did myself.

 

The other Asus I had, never any issue, though it's only from 2018. 

6 minutes ago, CanadaSam said:

Wow!   Thank you for the info about no duty on laptops, I've been getting ads from a company in the states called NewEgg.com with ridiculously low prices for laptops!  I'll now look seriously into ordering one!

 

You're very welcome. It is a risk of course, in that the box the laptop was in was torn and damaged. Fortunately it was packed well inside and there was no damage. But clearly it had gone through a lot, even in 3 days, that package.

 

So I guess damange could always be an issue, but thankfully mine arrived in top condition.

57 minutes ago, Cameroni said:

I used DHL Express, the sending cost was around 200 Euro.

Gawd! Given the shipping cost who cares about duties and tariffs.  I'd just buy a new laptop in Thailand and call it a day.

2 hours ago, connda said:

Gawd! Given the shipping cost who cares about duties and tariffs.  I'd just buy a new laptop in Thailand and call it a day.

 

It was totally worth it. Sending costs and money were not the main consideration.

51 minutes ago, Cameroni said:

 

It was totally worth it. Sending costs and money were not the main consideration.

What were they please?

3 hours ago, connda said:

Gawd! Given the shipping cost who cares about duties and tariffs.  I'd just buy a new laptop in Thailand and call it a day.

With a Thailand Warranty!

I received packages from Amazon in 3 days, so what's all the excitement?

I used DHL express sendt a gift to my a lady in korat.Paid 100 euro.Was delivered at her door after 2 days.

Didn't pay VAT at all.Actually it was white gold necklace.I said 0 value and they just let it thrue without any problems.

27 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

What were they please?

 

DHL Express costs - 176 Euro

 

Thai Customs processing - 200 Baht

 

Thai VAT - 1680 baht

 

Laptop 2500 Euro

 

 

16 hours ago, KannikaP said:

What were they please?

 

Or you mean what the main considerations were? To get that particular laptop and to get it as fast as possible.

Fortunately, the computer didn't suffer any transport damage, as DHL insurance only covers the stated value. In your case, 500 euros.😉

3 minutes ago, ujayujay said:

Fortunately, the computer didn't suffer any transport damage, as DHL insurance only covers the stated value. In your case, 500 euros.😉

 

Yes, damage was a real risk. Very fortunate indeed, as the package was torn on one side, and showed clear evidence of a very rough journey.

 

Thankfully it was packed well inside.

On 7/8/2025 at 3:31 PM, Cameroni said:

They did not have the same one in Thailand anywhere.

 

I guess you pay the VAT on purchase.

 

But in Thailand the VAT is only 7 per cent.

 

I could not believe how cheap it was to import this laptop.

 

But the most incredible thing was that  DHL Express got it here in 3 days. That just blew my mind.

 

All good as well, nothing damaged.

If you think that was fast, should have seen back in the day when Big Concerts would tear down, drive to next location and set up again.  Formula 1 teams changing locations is pretty impressive also.

On 7/8/2025 at 3:35 PM, Cameroni said:

One other important thing. This laptop cost 2500 Euros. I got my person in the EU country to remove all packaging and to declare the laptop as 500 Euro and to declare it as a gift.

 

Neither DHL in the EU, nor in Thailand questioned any of this. They simply took the 500 Euro at face value and calculated the VAT of 7% on this 500 Euro.

 

 

But if I understand correctly, during the purchase of the laptop, VAT was indeed paid over the €2,500.
And so you lost that.

And now you've paid VAT on that 500 euros again.

1 minute ago, Peterphuket said:

But if I understand correctly, during the purchase of the laptop, VAT was indeed paid over the €2,500.
And so you lost that.

And now you've paid VAT on that 500 euros again.

 

I didn't pay for the laptop. But I guess the person who paid for the laptop paid the VAT there. But yes, I did pay the 1600 VAT here.

Can remember from a long time back, my neighbour worked at Ipec, “same day” they had as a slogan, he told when shipping important parts, the client didn't care how expensive the shipping would cost, so someone would just get on the plane with the part in question, hand over the part on arrival and go straight back.

9 minutes ago, Peterphuket said:

Can remember from a long time back, my neighbour worked at Ipec, “same day” they had as a slogan, he told when shipping important parts, the client didn't care how expensive the shipping would cost, so someone would just get on the plane with the part in question, hand over the part on arrival and go straight back.

 

It's amazing what's possible. To get a laptop delivered from the EU to Chiang Mai within 3 days is absolutely incredible. Very impressed with DHL Express. 

 

Of course I did subtract the day when the laptop was delivered to DHL in the late afternoon, as I am assuming it did not travel that day. Still 3 days travel time is very impressive.

On 7/8/2025 at 3:36 PM, CanadaSam said:

Wow!   Thank you for the info about no duty on laptops, I've been getting ads from a company in the states called NewEgg.com with ridiculously low prices for laptops!  I'll now look seriously into ordering one!

NewEgg might have been good 25 years ago.  I wouldn't trust them now.  I remember seeing some warnings a few years back.  just Google "NewEgg computer scam" and I'm sure there's something.  I won't do it, I already am sure.  lol

Lenovo is definitely worth more than $1500 USD.   never had a $2500 laptop, so no idea.  Mac has better sound, solid, very nice screen, but for the money Lenovo is definitely better.  Lenovo, new.  Mac, bought used.  Asus, issues but great screen.  Samsung...no idea.  

 

But my Legion is now four years old, so gotta factor in inflation...... new model 5 series looks to be 60k baht on Banana.  

The day has come: Amazon offering free shipping to Thailand min spend 35 USD

 

 

 

9 minutes ago, Quentin Zen said:

Lenovo is definitely worth more than $1500 USD. 

 

I own a Lenovo ThinkBook and find it to be the equal of the MacBook Air M2 I owned as well. I actually prefer the Lenovo. They make excellent laptops. 

 

9 minutes ago, oxo1947 said:

The day has come: Amazon offering free shipping to Thailand min spend 35 USD

 

 

 

 

I was always reticent to order from Amazon. But this recent experience of course changes that. Nonetheless you'd be at the mercy of the seller using the right courier and packaging it properly.

 

1 hour ago, Cameroni said:

 

It's amazing what's possible. To get a laptop delivered from the EU to Chiang Mai within 3 days is absolutely incredible. Very impressed with DHL Express. 

 

Of course I did subtract the day when the laptop was delivered to DHL in the late afternoon, as I am assuming it did not travel that day. Still 3 days travel time is very impressive.

Why? They use 747 freighters as do most airmail delivery services?

Just now, emptypockets said:

Why? They use 747 freighters as do most airmail delivery services? The world isn't that big.