Duty & Fees On Carry-on Camera

[noahvail]

I've done searches here, couldn't find a recent post (though there probably is one :-( ). Looked throught the Thai customs website too, and got more confused than anything. I'm going to the US in a couple of months, thought I'd get a new dSLR camera and lens; though the camera is made just outside of Bangkok, the prices in the US are considerably less than buying here. So, if I buy in the US and bring it back on the plane, will I owe duty, fees, VAT, etc.? Also, I saw on the customs website that you can bring back 80,000 baht worth of personal stuff before duties etc. kick in. Would 50,000 baht worth of camera be included in that number, or is it separate? Thanks for the help.

[Gary A]

I've done searches here, couldn't find a recent post (though there probably is one :-( ). Looked throught the Thai customs website too, and got more confused than anything. I'm going to the US in a couple of months, thought I'd get a new dSLR camera and lens; though the camera is made just outside of Bangkok, the prices in the US are considerably less than buying here. So, if I buy in the US and bring it back on the plane, will I owe duty, fees, VAT, etc.? Also, I saw on the customs website that you can bring back 80,000 baht worth of personal stuff before duties etc. kick in. Would 50,000 baht worth of camera be included in that number, or is it separate? Thanks for the help.

If the camera is second hand (not in the box) and belongs to you, you won't have to pay any duty. Put the manuals and boxes in your check in luggage and carry the camera in your carry on bag. If you leave it in the box it could be considered new and you MAY have to pay duty. Most tourists have cameras.