Bringing Personal Effects From Home

[Greenside]

Sometime this year I'm planning to return to the UK to pack my personal things, currently in storage, and ship them here. I understand that there is a one time dispensation for resettlement that means tax shouldn't be charged in this event but can see some potential pitfalls. For example, I have have several major domestic appliances (dishwasher, washing machine etc) that I could either remove from my house or avoid the hassle, sell and replace with conveniently boxed and well protected new models. Would the customs be likely to point out they were not used and charge import duty or is the concept more of an allowance rather than strictly items that were in use before shipping?

And yes, I'm aware that the customs boys can do whatever they want but I'm just looking for the experience of anyone who has been through this process! Also, recommendations for a good inbound shipping agent in Chiang Mai would be appreciated.

[PattayaParent]

Sell and buy new here.

[anonymouse]

I shipped my personal belongings over here a few years ago with no problems but they didn't contain any white goods / electrical items so I can't comment on that. I also ship boxes of books over on a regular basis, nothing has ever been opened or checked.

I have always used pods cargo based in heathrow around a dozen times with only one minor problem that was resolved in a day. Once the shipment arrives at the port in Bangkok I use schenker in Chiang Mai to do the neccesary stuff with customs and freight forward to CM.

I can give you contact details for both if you pm me.

[Mario2008]

There is a dispensation, if you are on an extension of stay based on employement and only during the first year you are here.

The items must be second hand, most times it means older than 6 months.

Many shipping agents can negotiate the custom side for you to an agreeable fee.

[robblok]

He is going back to the UK not BKK

Why would you want to buy the stuff here ? Is it cheaper here as in the UK ?

[anonymouse]

He is going back to the UK not BKK

Why would you want to buy the stuff here ? Is it cheaper here as in the UK ?

Read the ops post again, slowly

[Sophon]

There is a dispensation, if you are on an extension of stay based on employement and only during the first year you are here.

The items must be second hand, most times it means older than 6 months.

Many shipping agents can negotiate the custom side for you to an agreeable fee.

Unless they have changed it recently I believe the goods have to be imported within six months - not one year.

From www.customs.go.th

"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."

Sophon

[Greenside]

I've been here 5 years on retirement extenstions but in rented accommodation, so not in a position to bring a serious quantity of personal effects. Doesn't sound as if the short time frame mentioned above would ever apply to a retiree since virtually everyone wants to have a period in which to settle or try the place out (admittedly, not always as long as mine). Are you sure there isn't a different arrangement for Retirement Extensions?

Some kinds of white goods are hugely more expensive here: front loading washing machines, dishwashers and decent cookers are but three.

Edited January 25, 2011 by Greenside

[robblok]

He is going back to the UK not BKK

Why would you want to buy the stuff here ? Is it cheaper here as in the UK ?

Read the ops post again, slowly

Thanks.. should have taken my coffee first

[Mario2008]

I've been here 5 years on retirement extenstions but in rented accommodation, so not in a position to bring a serious quantity of personal effects. Doesn't sound as if the short time frame mentioned above would ever apply to a retiree since virtually everyone wants to have a period in which to settle or try the place out (admittedly, not always as long as mine). Are you sure there isn't a different arrangement for Retirement Extensions?

Based on retirement you will not get to import household goods for free.

Rules you can find here:

http://www.customs.go.th/Customs-Eng/HouseholdEffects/HouseholdEffects.jsp?menuNme=HouseHold

But if you have a Thai wife and she is no longer registered in Thailand, she can up on her return import goods duty free in her name.

Most times it is simpler to get a Thai agent and have them negotiate a price for you with customs.

[MickA]

14 years ago I had 2 boxes of my personal stuff from the UK sent by mail the Thai customs charged me 700 baht for 4 videos that where in them

[thaihome]

But if you have a Thai wife and she is no longer registered in Thailand, she can up on her return import goods duty free in her name.

Most times it is simpler to get a Thai agent and have them negotiate a price for you with customs.

She can still be registered in Thailand, but they will check the passport to be sure she has had long term visa (for the purposes other than touring ) in another country for over one year.

Agreed that unless you have a Thai wife that has lived overseas for a year or you are getting a work permit and extension; then just let the agent handle it and they will give you a number to pay.

TH

[Greenside]

Thanks for the information. Hard to put any kind of value on pictures, family furniture, kitchen stuff and the like though.

[anonymouse]

Thanks for the information. Hard to put any kind of value on pictures, family furniture, kitchen stuff and the like though.

As I mentioned in my previous post pm me, if I remember correctly I sent around 30 boxes of goods from the UK, books,cd's, pictures, kitchen stuff etc, schenker did the customs stuff and I feel sure it didn't cost me anymore than 2,000 baht in taxes. There was no furniture or electrical goods though.

[PattayaParent]

Thanks for the information. Hard to put any kind of value on pictures, family furniture, kitchen stuff and the like though.

The standard fee seems to be 20,000 Baht to open negotiations.

[thaihome]

The fee we speak of is an alternate to actually opening the container and doing an valuation and assessment. Sort of a lump sum payment in lieu.

Agreed, 20k is about right.

TH

[travelmann]

I've been here 5 years on retirement extenstions but in rented accommodation, so not in a position to bring a serious quantity of personal effects. Doesn't sound as if the short time frame mentioned above would ever apply to a retiree since virtually everyone wants to have a period in which to settle or try the place out (admittedly, not always as long as mine). Are you sure there isn't a different arrangement for Retirement Extensions?

Based on retirement you will not get to import household goods for free.

Rules you can find here:

http://www.customs.g...nuNme=HouseHold

But if you have a Thai wife and she is no longer registered in Thailand, she can up on her return import goods duty free in her name.

Most times it is simpler to get a Thai agent and have them negotiate a price for you with customs.

Ha ha its also says this too!!!

World-class Customs for national competitiveness

and social protection

Mission

1. To provide modern, expeditious, and global standard Customs service 2. To promote economic development and national competitiveness by implementing Customs-related measures3. To enhance efficiency in Customs control, targeting at social protection4. To collect revenue in an efficient, fair and transparent manner