I have a Thai friend in the UK who has collected clothes and books for distribution to those in need in Thailand. He has about 800 kilos of clothes in 100 binbags and 400 kilos of books in 10 cases. We've been looking round on the 'net for someone who can ship all this stuff without a lot of success. Can anyone suggest shipping companies that they've had experience of please?

GB Liners in the UK shipped all my personal belongings over here in a container. It took two weeks to come by boat and then you have to go to customs in Bangkok where they unlock and open it in front of you and check that these are the goods you stated on the forms. I paid for door to door service and my belongings arrived at my home within a week of arrival here.

I wonder if this will be subject to the usual duty, VAT and bribes associated with importing anything.

I wonder if this will be subject to the usual duty, VAT and bribes associated with importing anything.

No need to worry about this. My friends has friends at customs. Apart from that genuine charity imports are treated benignly.

I know a very good company that competes very well on price and logistics with all the big companies like DHL, FedEx, TNT etc.

Kangaroo International, 1 David Rd, Colnbrook, London. They have an agent in BKK. See www.superoo.com

Try their courier division, or Kangaroo World Cargo. Ask for a rate.