I want to send a present to Europe, a silver broche (450 Baht)

Now I read that small packet (closed with string) is cheaper than sending it in a closed envelope.

In the past I sent dried food and 100 baht-tshirt in a small packet, but this item has a little value, so I feel better when it is closed. But do customs open sealed envelopes and packets as well?

Any experience with international shipping is more than welcome. Thanks.

You mean Customs in the recipients country?For small item gifts, very ,very rarely. I send stuff to Australia, using small packets , regularly.I have never had a problem. Make sure you put a Customs declaration form on the packet. If you are likely to have a problem , it would be in Thailand. Not so much with outward bound ,but I have had a lot of problems with inbound mail. So bad, that I have now invested in a Post Office box. The problem was with the sub-contractor at our local Post Office, NOT the post office itself. Now I have no problems.

I am not sure, but I think both the customs (Thai & Eurpean) open the packet (when not sealed), right? But I am actually talking about Thai customs. In Europe it is enough when information is put on the envelope. Normally they don't need to see what's inside.

For a small broche it is not worth to think about. A closed international signed for with 120 grams cost you 149 THB, if you would sent it as a small package closed with string it is 121 THB.

Price difference is 28 Baht

Send as small package is cheaper if you send heavy items but a small package must be below 2kg.

Customs in the receiver country open everything sometimes. If you could avoid that simply by close the envelope the dream of some people came true

Put a customs declaration CN22 on the letter, mark gift worth 12 Euro and the receiver will get it duty free almost anywhere in the world.

For a small broche it is not worth to think about. A closed international signed for with 120 grams cost you 149 THB, if you would sent it as a small package closed with string it is 121 THB.

Price difference is 28 Baht

Send as small package is cheaper if you send heavy items but a small package must be below 2kg.

Customs in the receiver country open everything sometimes. If you could avoid that simply by close the envelope the dream of some people came true

Put a customs declaration CN22 on the letter, mark gift worth 12 Euro and the receiver will get it duty free almost anywhere in the world.

Thanks Uwe, I can miss the 28 baht, I feel much better when I can close the envelope.

I heard that padded envelopes don't get through machines, so the item won't get crushed. Thanks.

'Small package' is an interesting option at the postoffice !

The ONLY RULE for a 'small package' is that the outside box has NO TAPE on it, NOT that the content should be made easy to check by customs.

So inside the outer box you do it as you want, a taped plastic bag, another well taped box inside the outer box etc.

The ONLY RULE is: NO TAPE on the outer box. Small package saves upto 70% on postage, compared with EMS Airmail.

This is Thailand - the Positive Side !

Edited October 8, 201015 yr by bangkokcitylimits