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[damian5000]

If my brother ships me a new boxed netbook, what would the approximate import taxes be? Not worried about warranty issues, just want to know approximate import taxes.

Thanks much if anyone knows.

[haveaniceday]

There have been several threads on this, I forget the exact answer, suggest a search. maybe substitute computer for laptop. I do remember that they can and for lucky farlang they value a old crap machine at new a price for tax. I would personally avoid Fedex as well, there ground handlers, well lets just say you will pay a lot in handling "fee's" for the Thai side, You either pay or do not get.

[PattayaParent]

It'd be cheaper for you to pay his air fare to hand deliver it!!!

[BB1950]

You have to be kidding! The customs agency is probably the most corrupt agency in Thailand. Worse than the Police! The Custom Laws are more than 50 years old and are geared for exports, not imports! The U.S. has been trying for years, to get them changed to be more 'friendly' and consistent.

It's up to the discretion of the individual Custom Agent what the accessed value and rate are, so the duty is almost impossible to determine in advance. You may have a receipt for the price of the computer, but it means nothing. They can easily determine the value to be 2 to 5 times what you paid for it. It's also almost impossible to appeal. You'll get the same stock answer "you should buy in Thailand".

According to their tables, it should be 60% of assessed value. I was nailed for 20,000 baht for bringing in a Notebook computer from Singapore at the airport. I had two choices, leave it with the customs department at the airport for period up to two months and pick it up when leaving, or pay the tax.

One other thing, it can take up to several months to clear customs when you have it shipped in. That's why most on-line companies won't ship to Thailand.

Better to buy the Net-book in Thailand. If you really want to import one, check with a Thai Import/Export company that specializes in that. Not the standard shipping companies (like DHL, UPS, etc). The Import/Export specialists usually have an agent which they pay good 'tea-money'.

[tommet]

According to their tables, it should be 60% of assessed value. I was nailed for 20,000 baht for bringing in a Notebook computer from Singapore at the airport. I had two choices, leave it with the customs department at the airport for period up to two months and pick it up when leaving, or pay the tax.

Was it new and in the box? Because I've travelled back and forth to through BKK airport with my laptop in my carry-on bag without any problems at all. And I'm fairly sure that thousands of people do the same every day.

Edited June 18, 2010 by tommet

[BB1950]

<br />

<br /> <br /><br />According to their tables, it should be 60% of assessed value. I was nailed for 20,000 baht for bringing in a Notebook computer from Singapore at the airport. I had two choices, leave it with the customs department at the airport for period up to two months and pick it up when leaving, or pay the tax. <br />

<br /><br /><br />Was it new and in the box? Because I've travelled back and forth to through BKK airport with my laptop in my carry-on bag without any problems at all. And I'm fairly sure that thousands of people do the same every day.<br />

<br /><br /><br />

I was new, but not in the box, nor did I have the box present. It was in a carry-on bag. I had to use the box for speakers for some other things. I cleared the first agent, but just as I went out, the big boss saw the speaker box, called me back and did a shakedown, saying aha you have computer!

[Pib]

<br />

<br /> <br /><br />According to their tables, it should be 60% of assessed value. I was nailed for 20,000 baht for bringing in a Notebook computer from Singapore at the airport. I had two choices, leave it with the customs department at the airport for period up to two months and pick it up when leaving, or pay the tax. <br />

<br /><br /><br />Was it new and in the box? Because I've travelled back and forth to through BKK airport with my laptop in my carry-on bag without any problems at all. And I'm fairly sure that thousands of people do the same every day.<br />

<br /><br /><br />

I was new, but not in the box, nor did I have the box present. It was in a carry-on bag. I had to use the box for speakers for some other things. I cleared the first agent, but just as I went out, the big boss saw the speaker box, called me back and did a shakedown, saying aha you have computer!

Truly a strange situation. I have went in and out of Thailand many times with my laptop, camera, etc., as carry-on baggage and never been tagged for customs.. And everyday there must be hundreds (maybe thousands) of business people and tourists, farangs, Thai's coming to Bangkok with their laptops. And I'm sure very, very, very few are being hit with customs taxes for laptops; otherwise, it would frequently be hitting the news as a negative tourism factor about Thailand. Your situation is truly strange.

[tommet]

Truly a strange situation. I have went in and out of Thailand many times with my laptop, camera, etc., as carry-on baggage and never been tagged for customs.. And everyday there must be hundreds (maybe thousands) of business people and tourists, farangs, Thai's coming to Bangkok with their laptops. And I'm sure very, very, very few are being hit with customs taxes for laptops; otherwise, it would frequently be hitting the news as a negative tourism factor about Thailand. Your situation is truly strange.

I've been checking this out and the Thai customs website says you're allowed to bring in used personal effects with valued at no more than 10,000 thb. That's only about 300 USD - and most laptops would exceed that, unless they make allowances for the second-hand value. The rules seem to make an exemption of one camera (still or video) but there is no explicit exemption that I can see for computers/laptops.

So if the customs folk at the airport chose to apply this rule to everyone, it would probably catch a lot of people, including everyone who ownes an iPhone. In BB1950's case, having the new computer box (albeit with some speakers in it) seemed to be the kicker. I guess they figured this shows it is a new purchase, and therefore likely to have a high value. So: don't bring in the boxes!

OTOH: I've frequently flown in and out of Thailand with about 3000 USD worth of diving equipment, and they've never paid any attention to that - also I've never thought to declare it, but according to the regulations maybe I should have!

Edited June 19, 2010 by tommet

[jay1980]

I have sent electronics to Thailand including a smart phone, computer parts. I sent it by UK Royal Mail Post office. (insurance paid at post office). I always removed the boxes and repacked myself. I marked the package as a 'gift'. Also I used my friend's Thai partners name as the recipient. My friend never had to pay any duties.

Cheers

[Mercury]

According to their tables, it should be 60% of assessed value. I was nailed for 20,000 baht for bringing in a Notebook computer from Singapore at the airport. I had two choices, leave it with the customs department at the airport for period up to two months and pick it up when leaving, or pay the tax.

Was it new and in the box? Because I've travelled back and forth to through BKK airport with my laptop in my carry-on bag without any problems at all. And I'm fairly sure that thousands of people do the same every day.

There is or was some requirement to list items being temporarily imported and I have never heard of anyone being asked to pay for a laptop. I'll also bet there are thousands of laptops and tens of thousands of expensive cameras going in daily. If they stopped people, then it would bring chaos to the system. In fact, I am not really sure how to construct a situation where a laptop could not be temporarily imported.