I am currently in Thailand on a tourist visa. My friend in the US sells clothing on E-Bay. Can I buy clothes in Thailand and ship them to him? He is willing to pay me for this service. Any money I would receive would go directly into my account in the US. Can I do this legally with a tourist visa?

technically no - not even voluntary work can be done on a tourist visa - but who would ever know?

technically no - not even voluntary work can be done on a tourist visa - but who would ever know?

So what would I need to do this?

technically no - not even voluntary work can be done on a tourist visa - but who would ever know?

So what would I need to do this?

Legally speaking your work involves procurement and export.

To be 100% legal you will need a non immigrant visa, a work permit,a tax ID (to pay PIT, personal income tax, to the revenue department) and a thai limited liability company to provide for the aforementioned items.

You'd be a paid employee of the thai company.

The company would periodically receive a purchase order from USA for required items.

You would source, purchase and export the items to USA.

You would invoice the USA client, with a markup margin of course.

etc...

........... with a markup margin of course.

"""etc"""... the etc would be the legal requirements at the USA end. American Customs catch and seize goods that do not meet the American requirements for import. [ie ;paid duties, proper labeling]

Legally speaking your work involves procurement and export.

To be 100% legal you will need a non immigrant visa, a work permit,a tax ID (to pay PIT, personal income tax, to the revenue department) and a thai limited liability company to provide for the aforementioned items...

Do I need to set up my own company in Thailand if I am an employee of an American company working exclusively for that company?

If I do set up a Thai company I can only own 49% of that company right?

This might be of interest for you U.S.-Thai_Treaty_of_Amity

Edit: spelllling doooh.

Edited December 16, 200817 yr by PoorSucker

That's cool. I had no idea that existed.