Goods Held To Ransom

[misterman21]

My Thai wife and i moved from the Uk to settle in Thailand just over 1 month ago. My wife sent some personal items in a 1 cubic meter packing case by ship using an international frieght company (Hankyu). When the goods arrived at Laem Chabang the company contacted my wife asking her to produce her documents i.e. Thai Passport, ID card etc. apparantley she had to prove that she had not resided in thailand for a period of over 3 months in order to import the personal items free of duty. (her personal affects are mostly sewing nik naks, wool and a sewing machine - most of the other stuff is just books, crocker cutlery, photo albums etc)

As we understood it - and were told by Hankyu in the UK - the only items we needed to add a value to were electrical - which is only the sewing machine and a xmas tree)

Hankyou in thailand asked us to put a value on all items which we did - although they are of little actual value. Once the customs had seen my wifes passport - which expires next year - showing that she had not resided in thailand for more than 3 months at one time ( i assume it is within a year) they now decided they want to see her old passport to prove that she has resided in thailand for at least one year over an unspecified time period although not more than 3 months within one period. She does not have her old passport as it was 4 years ago when she obtained her current one. I am sure i dont keep my old passports - who does!

Anyhow now they have told Hankyu to ask us if we still want our goods. I tried to speak to the customs guy whislt he was with the Hankyu rep and he shouted My 'pood gap ferang'

I feel they are holding the goods to ransom and would appreciate any advice.

My advice to anyone would be dont sent anything to thailand in this way - it is not worth the frustration turning to absoulute inner rage - not to mention the expense!