Video Tapes

[patsfangr]

In continuing my research within the Forum, I haven't been able to search out an answer to my apparently unusual question on the subject of importing personal video tapes. Hopefully someone can help with this.

Over the years, going all the way back to the early 80's, I have taped thousands of programs, mostly movies, from TV. My thought has always been that, should I retire to Thailand one day, I'd have enough American entertainment to last me a lifetime. I have also purchased something in the neighborhood of 100+ new vhs tapes over that time.

Now, in reviewing some of the Customs related discussions here, I've developed the opinion that I may be out of luck in trying to bring all of these tapes into Thailand, even shipped in my Thai wife's name. Again, these are a mix of new and privately recorded tapes. There would certainly be no actual porn, however, as you're no doubt aware, many American movies contain nudity and, as they call it these days, "sexual situations" within the content of the story. Still, even that may be an issue with Thai Customs. ???

I'm talking about an absurd quantity of tapes here; probably in the area of 400-500 of them. Am I going to have to dispose of all of this great entertainment here before moving?

[The Dude]

I was going to say transfer them to dvd or vcd but you got yourself a boatload

[DisainaM]

better, tranfer them on ext. Harddisk,

cause a burned CD / DVD will only last about 7 years.

[Tywais]

Might try these two sites out. Also possibly e-mail to an agent at the site.

http://www.customs.go.th/Customs-Eng/DutyE...enuNme=FreeZone

http://www.thaichicago.net/clate/cus-clear.html

This is from the Thailand Tourism site:

PROHIBITED GOODS

Goods absolutely prohibited from being imported or exported are:

1. Obscene objects.

2. Harmful habit-forming drugs.

3. Goods unduly bearing a brand or design in form of the national flag or the national flag colour stripes.

4. Pirating goods, e.g. audio tapes or music tapes, video tapes and other goods reproduced or modified from those under others’ copyrights.

5. Counterfeit goods.

May have a problem under the copyright laws which are becoming more strict.

Edited June 27, 2005 by tywais

[bkkexplorer]

When I first moved to thailand i had shipped my persinal belongings along with a few hundred cd's. These were the real thing and not copies. I'm not sure in your case as they're copied from tele but I would think they would be OK for personal use only. It also helped me as I had many, many other boxes containing other stuff. If someone were to ship boxes of only tapes, it probably would attract more attention.

Off the question... It was actually quite funny what happened, the boxes were stored in some huge post office like a warehouse. If i remember correctly, it was near the train station. Anyways, after weeks of arriving here and the postal department doing nothing to try and contact me, I tried to find out <deleted> was going on. After tracking it down, myself and a thai friend went to the postal office to find my boxes in a corner of the distribution centre covered in dust. I have no idea what would have happened if I didn't call. I was told to see officer after officer with hints of tea money but I wasn't about to budge. Sorry, no specific details here... In the end I got my stuff, no problem.

[TizMe]

When I shipped my cargo to Thailand, I made sure that I paid door-2-door. That way the Thai shipping agent handled clearing customs. My container arrived at my house unopened.

I have heard a few horror stories from people trying to save a few baht by trying to do the customs clearing themselves.

Edited June 27, 2005 by TizMe

[costas]

When I shipped my cargo to Thailand, I made sure that I paid door-2-door. That way the Thai shipping agent handled clearing customs. My container arrived at my house unopened.

I have heard a few horror stories from people trying to save a few baht by trying to do the customs clearing themselves.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

same here,

wife's name, (30+) boxes were never opened (and in the inventory it was clear that tapes amongst other things were being shipped)

only had the 50ish videos though, dont know what happenes if you have sh!tloads..

be well

costas

[patsfangr]

Thanks, Ty! The Thai Customs site is particularly useful. The rules appear to be clear regarding my plan to ship everything under my wife's name, as a returning Thai citizen. Duty should not be an issue. Good news. - George

Might try these two sites out.  Also possibly e-mail to an agent at the site.

http://www.customs.go.th/Customs-Eng/DutyE...enuNme=FreeZone

http://www.thaichicago.net/clate/cus-clear.html

This is from the Thailand Tourism site:

PROHIBITED GOODS

Goods absolutely prohibited from being imported or exported are:

1. Obscene objects.

2. Harmful habit-forming drugs.

3. Goods unduly bearing a brand or design in form of the national flag or the national flag colour stripes.

4. Pirating goods, e.g. audio tapes or music tapes, video tapes and other goods reproduced or modified from those under others’ copyrights.

5. Counterfeit goods.

May have a problem under the copyright laws which are becoming more strict.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[patsfangr]

When I shipped my cargo to Thailand, I made sure that I paid door-2-door. That way the Thai shipping agent handled clearing customs. My container arrived at my house unopened.

I have heard a few horror stories from people trying to save a few baht by trying to do the customs clearing themselves.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks, TizMe! Your advice appears very sound to me. I plan to follow it, and pay the door-to-door costs. Well worth the cost to probably eliminate the hassle of dealing with Customs on our own!

If, in fact, the container is delivered unopened, my videos will be no problem either. I'm feeling much better about the whole thing.