Advice On Moving And Mail Forwarding.

[bob/nyc]

Hi everyone. My partner and I are planning on moving to Thailand within the next few months, and was wondering if any expats from the US, could give any advice on forwarding our mail. I've heard that UPS can do it. We plan on taking a quick trip to Thailand to set up a PO box and set up a bank savings account. Without an actual street address, how do you go about moving some household goods to LOS.

Thanks

[ProThaiExpat]

I used one of those numerous private mail box locations, most forward mail as a service. I would suggest a a one year contract as I was getting all my mail direct to Thailand within a year.

They bundle it up and ship it to you and they know the best rates. I would suggest Global Priority Mail from the U.S. Post Office as a ten day transit time as opposed to the expensive seven day UPS or Fedex.

Bank accounts are easy to set up once your here for a long stay. Your reason for making a trip to set one up is an interesting question?

PM or email me at this screen name at yahoo.com for any further questions or details you would like to provide or ask.

Shipping household goods is problematic and customs duties are high unless your have a retirment visa. Most advise to get rid of all your "stuff" except that which is so valuable to you that you are willing to pay overweight charges on your flight. I brought a huge extra duffel for $100 overweight charge.

Most things you need are available here at equal or lesser prices. The money you save on shipping and customs will buy a lot of "stuff" here.

Good luck.

[Guest endure]

Shipping household goods is problematic and customs duties are high unless your have a retirment visa. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Those with retirement visas are specifically excluded from the non-payment of duties according to the Tha Customs website:

http://www.customs.go.th/Customs-Eng/House...old#requirement

[ProThaiExpat]

I have previously read the thread endure references and it is so difficult to interpret that I chalked it off as a bad translation.

My information from three years of reading posts on the issue of bringing in household goods with you without duty when you move to Thailand permanently is, as I suggested, possible, but difficult with "tea money" involved and very expensive shippng charges.

Many posts from the likes of Lopburi3 have indicated that other than giving a sense of security, the only other advantage to obtaining your "retirement visa " in you home country is the ability to bring in household goods without duty in such instance.

Admittedly my information is second hand.

I would suggest a PM to Lopburi3, if you don't see a post from him soon and ask him. He is the authority. Likewise, I would search Thaivisa under "household goods" or the like and find the many threads on the subject.

[bob/nyc]

Thanks guys. Actually I was planning on selling all my household stuff, and buying whatever I need once I get settled. I guess I was referring to personal papers, etc, and your advice ProThai is good. Just stuff an extra suitcase or duffle pay the airline fee, and bring it with me.