Importing House Hold Goods Into Thailand Duty Free

[samran]

Just trying to figure out if I read the rules on importation of house hold goods correctly:

1) Thai citizen moving back to Thailand only needs to show via passport stamps that they have been away more than a year to get duty free status on used household goods.

2) Foriegn national on a non-immigrant 'O' visa is not given tax free status in the importing for household goods, even if they are used.

3) Foreign national on an non-immigrant 'B' visa is granted duty free status on importing household goods, so long as they are able to show the non-immigrant 'B' visa in the passport. ie. no other documention such as a work permit is needed.

Edited August 28, 2005 by samran

[lopburi3]

That would not be my reading of below but that does not make it wrong.

I would say you need a one year extension of stay or a letter from immigration that it is on the way.

Nonresidents granted to work in Thailand will be regarded as resuming residents in Thailand provided they have a one-year non-immigrant visa issued by the Immigration Department. In case where the non-immigrant visa has not yet been granted, either of the following documents may be accepted:

(2.1) The letter from the Immigration Department certifying that the nonresidents shall be granted an annual temporary stay in Thailand; or

(2.2) The work permit from the Department of Labor to work in Thailand for at least one year.

[sabaijai]

According to the Thai customs website:

Importing Used/Secondhand Household Effects

Returning Thai residents who have been abroad for one year or longer, for the purposes other than touring are eligible to bring in household effects acquired abroad free of taxes and duties. In addition, nonresidents changing their residence to Thailand may import the household effects subject to the conditions stated below without payment of import taxes duties.

The term “household effects” includes all goods which are normally necessary to equip a self-contained home e.g. furniture, carpets, books, musical instruments, paintings, tableware, stereos, linens, and similar household furnishings, etc. To be eligible for tax and duty free allowance, the importers are required to have owned, possessed, and used the household effects before they return to Thailand to resume residence. It is important that the importers meet the three requirements of ownership, possession, and use. For example, if they owned and possessed the goods without using them, the goods would be subject to regular taxes and duties.

Personal effects accompanied with the owner traveling into or out of Thailand, including any goods used or will be used commercially are not eligible as household effects cannot brought in tax and duty free as the household effects

NOTE: Motor vehicles, alcoholic beverages and tobacco are excluded from this rebate.

Requirements for Duty Free Allowance

Both Thai and non-Thai residents changing residence into Thailand are eligible to bring used/secondhand household effects into Thailand, in reasonable quantities, free of taxes and duties. It is also required that the imported used/ secondhand household effects have been owned, possessed, and used in the country where the importers resided before returning to Thailand to resume residence.

In case where the household effects are electrical appliances e.g. radios, televisions, refrigerators, microwaves, ovens, air conditioners, etc., only ONE unit each of such items is eligible for tax and duty free allowance. However, if it is the family change of residence, TWO units each of the items will be allowed to bring in tax and duty free. Any excess unit shall be subject to regular taxes and duties, and Customs will place the items that have the lowest rate of duty under tax and duty exemption.

It is important that the used/secondhand household effects must be imported not earlier than one month before or not later than six months after the arrival of the importers. Under exceptional circumstances, Customs may extend the time limits for the importers.

Requirements for Changing of Residence

Nonresidents: Nonresidents may import the used/secondhand household effects acquired abroad tax and duty free if such household effects accompanied them in the change of residence and they are qualified under the requirements listed below:

Nonresidents resuming residents in Thailand must be granted a non-immigrant quota as shown in a passport or a Nonresident Identification Card; or

Nonresidents granted to work in Thailand will be regarded as resuming residents in Thailand provided they have a one-year non-immigrant visa issued by the Immigration Department. In case where the non-immigrant visa has not yet been granted, either of the following documents may be accepted:

(2.1) The letter from the Immigration Department certifying that the nonresidents shall be granted an annual temporary stay in Thailand; or

(2.2) The work permit from the Department of Labor to work in Thailand for at least one year.

Nonresidents entering Thailand as an expert, specialist, or under a contract of government agencies are required to present the letter from relevant agencies certifying that such nonresidents are granted a non-immigrant visa issued by the Immigration Department and shall work in Thailand not less than one year.

Accompanying spouses of the nonresidents in (2) and (3) will be regarded as resuming residence in Thailand provided the spouses have non-immigrant visas issued by the Immigration Department to stay in Thailand for the first 90 days.

Note : Nonresidents entering into the Kingdom with a non-immigrant visa "code O" who wish to retire in Thailand or accompany spouses of Thai residents are not qualified for (1)

Thai Residents: Thai residents may import the secondhand/used household effects acquired abroad duty-free if such household effects are accompanied them in the change of residence and they are qualified under the criteria listed below:

Thai residents or government officials work or carry out a working visit abroad for at least one year. In case where the Thai residents/government officials must return to Thailand before one year, evidence showing that the return is caused by the termination of contracts, reshuffle of positions, or early termination of working visits, is required.

Thai residents working abroad under other reasons than those indicated in (1) are required to undertake a commitment that they shall return to Thailand to resume residence.

Thai students, government officials study abroad for at least one year.

Documentation

An Import Declaration Form (Customs Form No99/1);

A passport;

Nonresidents are required to submit the following documents:

The letter issued by the Immigration Department confirming that an annual temporary stay is granted;

A one-year (or more) work permit issued by the Department of Labor;

The letter from a relevant government agency confirming that a non-immigrant visa from the Immigration Department is granted and that working period in Thailand is not less than 1 year, for those entering Thailand as an expert, specialist, or under government contracts;

Thai Residents are required to submit an evidence of changing residence e.g. a transcript, reshuffle of positions, termination of employment contract, etc.;

A Bill of Lading or air waybill;

A Foreign Transaction Form if the CIF value exceeding 500,000 Baht;

An invoice (if any);

A Delivery Order;

A packing list or sale documents (if any);

A permit in case of restricted goods;

An application for taxes and duty free allowance; and

Other documents e.g. a letter of authorization (if any).

Clearance Procedures

When the importers arrive in Thailand, they have to contact the Customs office at the port of entry to clear the household effects from the Customs custody. They will need to prepare all documents as required by Customs to claim tax and duty free importation of the household effects and follow the processes listed below:

The importer/agent submits an Application for Tax and Duty Free Allowance, Import Declaration Form, and all supporting documents to the Customs office at the port of entry;

Customs verifies the documents and Application for Tax and Duty Free Allowance and charges taxes and duties on any household effects not eligible for tax and duty free allowance;

The importer/agent pays taxes and duties (if any) at the Cashier Division, and then contact the Goods Clearance Division; and

Customs inspects the imported household effects against the Declaration. If there is no discrepancy between the Declaration made and the goods inspected, all goods will be released.

For additional information, interested person may contact the Formalities Section, Privilege and Investment Promotion Sub-Division, Import Formalities Division, Bangkok Port Customs Bureau; or Privilege and Investment Promotion Sub-Division, Import Formalities Division, Bangkok International Airport Customs Bureau; and all ports of entry during office hours.

From the above it doesn't appear that a work permit or extension of stay is necessary, unless I missed something.

One thing not mentioned above: I've heard that non-B holders get a one-time-only exemption from shipping household goods to Thailand duty-free. A friend who took advantage of the exemption told me that Thai customs keeps a record of such transactions, and that you could only do it one time. Whether he had correct info, I don't know, and the customs website doesn't go into it.

Household Goods duty exemption

[JimGant]

What about a Non Immigrant "O-A" visa -- will that allow tax free import of your used household goods?

If not, and I'm reading this right, all Non Imm visa holders that come to Thailand to retire have to pay tax on the used items they have shipped over. What's the tax rate -- and how in the world do the value my used items?

[Steve2UK]

What about a Non Immigrant "O-A" visa -- will that allow tax free import of your used household goods?

If not, and I'm reading this right, all Non Imm visa holders that come to Thailand to retire have to pay tax on the used items they have shipped over. What's the tax rate -- and how in the world do the value my used items?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The answer to the first question is - sadly - "no"; the concession that used to apply was withdrawn earlier this year. From the Customs web page for which Sabaiijai posted the link:

Note : Nonresidents entering into the Kingdom with a non-immigrant visa "code O" who wish to retire in Thailand or accompany spouses of Thai residents are not qualified for (1)

For the second part, having been looking at this for a while, it certainly looks like you're right that tax will be payable. What percentage seems to be an ongoing grey area - but I've seen references to 30% import duty + 7% VAT; but remember that this is on the shipped value of the items - i.e. their value plus the cost of getting them to Thailand. Anecdotally, it seems that Customs have a good deal of discretion when it comes to the valuation - so that it'll depend on the overall quantity and type of items not to mention what mood the officer is in........ On that basis, I'd say that a lot of expensive-looking items would probably get hit for a lot and a few nondescript personal possessions would probably get hit for less.

I also get the impression that some shippers have better "relations" with Customs than others and can make the process cheaper/smoother.................

TIT............

Edit: BTW - if anyone knows better than what I've described above, please post and say. I'm still looking at how to achieve the most cost-effective arrival of my own household/personal stuff (mainly books - many books!, tapes, CD's, DVD's and other general paraphernalia). Happy to receive PM's with suggestions if the method is a tad "unofficial".

Edited August 28, 2005 by Steve2UK

[mijan246]

I overcame the problem by listing everything as belonging to my wife who was returning to Thailand after x years in Australia.

If you are coming to join wife here (meaning she has not been living outside of Thailand) then afraid you are in the hands of "customs" . Advice use a GOOD agent and costs can be reasonable.

[samran]

Well I'm the Thai PP holder, so I'll list everything under my name if thats the case...

Been outside of Thailand for 1 year 9 months.

[autonomous_unit]

If there is a Thai student community in your area, it cannot hurt to inquire about shipping companies that they use. An amazing amount of wisdom gets retained in these communities even when the students are coming and going frequently.

We shipped everything from Los Angeles under my wife's name and using a recommended Thai shipping company who arranged door-to-door pick-up and delivery. We had no problems with loads of books, music, and double helpings of some hifi equipment etc. We ended up packing quite a few used things of questionable value (such as old bicycles!) in a combination of nostalgia and cheap shipping rates. Most is still in storage in BKK today.

[samran]

If there is a Thai student community in your area, it cannot hurt to inquire about shipping companies that they use. An amazing amount of wisdom gets retained in these communities even when the students are coming and going frequently.

We shipped everything from Los Angeles under my wife's name and using a recommended Thai shipping company who arranged door-to-door pick-up and delivery. We had no problems with loads of books, music, and double helpings of some hifi equipment etc. We ended up packing quite a few used things of questionable value (such as old bicycles!) in a combination of nostalgia and cheap shipping rates. Most is still in storage in BKK today. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks for the tip.

Just a question if you can remember back far enough, what did they require from your wife to prove that she was out of the country more than a year? Did they just need to see her passport with the exit and entry stamps showing 12+ months away?

As well, can anyone recommend a shipping company from the UK?

[Dah fahrang]

If there is a Thai student community in your area, it cannot hurt to inquire about shipping companies that they use. An amazing amount of wisdom gets retained in these communities even when the students are coming and going frequently.

We shipped everything from Los Angeles under my wife's name and using a recommended Thai shipping company who arranged door-to-door pick-up and delivery. We had no problems with loads of books, music, and double helpings of some hifi equipment etc. We ended up packing quite a few used things of questionable value (such as old bicycles!) in a combination of nostalgia and cheap shipping rates. Most is still in storage in BKK today. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks for the tip.

Just a question if you can remember back far enough, what did they require from your wife to prove that she was out of the country more than a year? Did they just need to see her passport with the exit and entry stamps showing 12+ months away?

As well, can anyone recommend a shipping company from the UK?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Afraid they write and apply their own interpretation of the rules.

We moved to Thailand last year - wife's Thai passport showed exit and entry stamps, but, alas, as she travelled on dual passports (UK) she did not have (1) entry and exit stamps into the UK, and (2) visa giving her right to enter UK in the first place.

We argued strong and hard, presented UK passport, UK Nat. Insurance card, UK tax returns, everything, in fact, to prove prolonged absence from LoS to augment exit and entry dates in Thai Passport. No go.

They wanted their tea money, and, quite simply, refused to look at the UK evidence, wanting only UK entry/exit stamps plus UK visa in Thai passport. We quoted their web site, their rule book, the lot. Three stages of bureaucracy are involved: Goods Inspection, Document Assessment & Valuation and Revenue sections of Customs, so at any one of these points, new interpretations of rules may be introduced.

Our agent's clerk here in Thailand was worse than useless in helping us through this quagmire, and we believe was in on the take % act! After further argument, (supposedly supported by agent's clerk) we were let off lighly paying only 7000 baht in "tax". The bu***rs even gave us a "receipt. But, the delivery team this end (when goods were released) were exemplary.

Your other question - good UK shipping agent:

After the inevitable quote from Pickfords, (arm and a leg price and take us or leave us attitude) we used Excess International Removers. Phone 020 8324 2037.

Based in London, they packed, moved and unpacked us door to door, groupage (shared container) for around 1000 quid Bristol to Ratchaburi. Shipment took under five weeks. They were brilliant - on time, careful courteous.

Good luck!

[Nordlys]

Relocating back to Bangkok Samran?

[samran]

If there is a Thai student community in your area, it cannot hurt to inquire about shipping companies that they use. An amazing amount of wisdom gets retained in these communities even when the students are coming and going frequently.

We shipped everything from Los Angeles under my wife's name and using a recommended Thai shipping company who arranged door-to-door pick-up and delivery. We had no problems with loads of books, music, and double helpings of some hifi equipment etc. We ended up packing quite a few used things of questionable value (such as old bicycles!) in a combination of nostalgia and cheap shipping rates. Most is still in storage in BKK today. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks for the tip.

Just a question if you can remember back far enough, what did they require from your wife to prove that she was out of the country more than a year? Did they just need to see her passport with the exit and entry stamps showing 12+ months away?

As well, can anyone recommend a shipping company from the UK?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Afraid they write and apply their own interpretation of the rules.

We moved to Thailand last year - wife's Thai passport showed exit and entry stamps, but, alas, as she travelled on dual passports (UK) she did not have (1) entry and exit stamps into the UK, and (2) visa giving her right to enter UK in the first place.

We argued strong and hard, presented UK passport, UK Nat. Insurance card, UK tax returns, everything, in fact, to prove prolonged absence from LoS to augment exit and entry dates in Thai Passport. No go.

They wanted their tea money, and, quite simply, refused to look at the UK evidence, wanting only UK entry/exit stamps plus UK visa in Thai passport. We quoted their web site, their rule book, the lot. Three stages of bureaucracy are involved: Goods Inspection, Document Assessment & Valuation and Revenue sections of Customs, so at any one of these points, new interpretations of rules may be introduced.

Our agent's clerk here in Thailand was worse than useless in helping us through this quagmire, and we believe was in on the take % act! After further argument, (supposedly supported by agent's clerk) we were let off lighly paying only 7000 baht in "tax". The bu***rs even gave us a "receipt. But, the delivery team this end (when goods were released) were exemplary.

Your other question - good UK shipping agent:

After the inevitable quote from Pickfords, (arm and a leg price and take us or leave us attitude) we used Excess International Removers. Phone 020 8324 2037.

Based in London, they packed, moved and unpacked us door to door, groupage (shared container) for around 1000 quid Bristol to Ratchaburi. Shipment took under five weeks. They were brilliant - on time, careful courteous.

Good luck!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Dah Farang,

Thanks for the heads up....I was worried about that. I'm in the UK on my Aussie passport but it goes without saying that will be coming back into Thailand on my thai PP. I am loathe the show the B@asrds at thai customs both passports as I know that I'll run into the same problems as your wife....

ARGHHH!

The option might be for my wife to get a non-immigrant B visa in her NZ passport, which is something I am loathe to do, as it will mean she has to do a border run, at some stage...unless it is possible for to convert her 'B' to an 'O' in country based on her marriage to me.....

Yes Nord- am coming back. Don't want have another UK winter freeze my bones....

[samran]

So can someone confirm this for me....if I had a non immi B in my passport, could I get the duty free allowance?

[Nordlys]

So can someone confirm this for me....if I had a non immi B in my passport, could I get the duty free allowance?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

In my case (in 1999) I needed a work permit to import the personal effects I shipped from Japan duty free (which I didn't have at the time the shipment arrived in Khlong Toey therefore dutied). There was a similar topic thread in general topic forum recently which might answer your question. Good to have you in LOS samran.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?sh...cts+to+thailand

Edited August 30, 2005 by Nordlys

[samran]

So can someone confirm this for me....if I had a non immi B in my passport, could I get the duty free allowance?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

In my case (in 1999) I needed a work permit to import the personal effects I shipped from Japan duty free (which I didn't have at the time the shipment arrived in Khlong Toey therefore dutied). There was a similar topic thread in general topic forum recently which might answer your question. Good to have you in LOS samran.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?sh...cts+to+thailand

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

thanks for the heads up Nordlys.

Might be easier for me just to sell most of our stuff here rather than the hassel of shipping it back.

Having said that, if the overall duty is not over say 10K it might be worth while. I am not shipping furniture or anything, rather pots and pans, plates, 'good' linen and a persian rug or two plus books and photo's.

[Nordlys]

Having said that, if the overall duty is not over say 10K it might be worth while. I am not shipping furniture or anything, rather pots and pans, plates, 'good' linen and a persian rug or two plus books and photo's.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I've shipped lots of stuffs from Japan (CDs, books, big desktop PC, 21 inch monitor, lots of PC peripherals, etc, etc.... with tons of junks) but as I wrote in the other thread the only item with a real value the customs found dutiable was my US made Cannondale MTB which I bought for close to B80,000 in Japan. I haven't been explained the duty rate on this item but I believe I declared the full value of the bike for the insurance purpose and was dutied somewhere around B13,000. To be precise it wasn't a duty, through the mover they made me choose between paying the duty or under table in a value slightly lower than the official duty.

Oh yes, then I paid B1,000+ for a box containing slide photos I shipped separately from everything else as I didn't want it to be exposed to humidity on a long surface jouney from Japan. I probably didn't get this dutied had I shipped the box in the same container with all other stuffs I shipped. I did have non-immigrant B btw. Just not the work permit.

Edited August 30, 2005 by Nordlys

[samran]

So if it is personal junk for the house do you think it will be OK?

[Nordlys]

So if it is personal junk for the house do you think it will be OK?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I would assume so. And perhaps more junks you have less the chance you'll be dutied.

I had a very long packing lists (perhaps 3 pages or more) that I don't think the customs officer really took time going over each items in the list deciding which item is taxable and which is not. I guess they just picked my bike for its declared value being bigger than the other items. BTW they didn't open the crate to check what's actually inside. They just looked through the document (invoice/packing list) as I've been explained so by the mover.

Edited August 30, 2005 by Nordlys

[autonomous_unit]

It also seems our crate and boxes were still sealed on delivery in BKK, so customs seems to have gone by the packing list. We took our chances listing a bunch of used hifi components and speakers that could be construed as at least two hifi sets or one multi-channel home-theatre system, depending on the mood of the customs agent. (The Thai-returning exemption only applies to "one each" of a number of high value items like stereos, computers, etc.)

I think my wife had to provide copies of her passport which included many years of student visas and entries to the US (there are no exist stamps from the US).

[Dah fahrang]

So if it is personal junk for the house do you think it will be OK?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I think yes, but, TiT!

We shipped Persian carpets, plus furniture items, plus some electrical stuff, plus kitchen items, plus linen. All well used, over a year old. Beware electrical items. They take an unhealthy interest in 'kreungs' of an electrical variety - in my case knackered Black and Decker Hedge Shears! plus B&Q cheapo garden forks and rakes, God forbid!

Go for it. You may end up paying nothing, or as in my case, 7K on goods which we just can't get here. And, I reckon they, or my slime-ball import agent knew that when they set the tea money price.

Flogging it in the UK and buying here is an option - but a lot of decent household stuff like good bed linen, you can't get here, or you pay a fortune for stuff imported by, and sold through Central & Robinsons Dept Stores!

good luck with it all.