If you you are buyings goods in Thailand to be exported out of thailand, do you have to pay v.a.t?, or do you just pay vat to the country you are exporting to?

Categories of Goods & Services Zero Rated & Exempt from VAT:

http://www.us-asean.org/Thailand/business_...ndices.asp#Four

If you you are buyings goods in Thailand to be exported out of thailand, do you have to pay v.a.t?, or do you just pay vat to the country you are exporting to?

Generally, VAT is added by any legitimately registered company holding a tax number. If you are a manufacturer or service provider exporting to a foreign county you do not need to collect Thai VAT from abroad customers when the goods/services are exclusively used abroad.

If a tourist buys goods here in Thailand and hand-carry them out of the country the VAT previously paid in the shop can be REFUNDED (the goods are not excempted from tax payment when they are bought in the shop) but rather a form needs to be filled in and stamped by Customs Department when leaving the country. This is the proof that the goods are actually leaving the country and tax refund can be claimed.

At the county of destination the goods are subject to import duty and VAT except the value is low and they are for personal use only and/or are gifts.

Exporting goods out of Thailand on a commercial base generally requires an export license. If you are an officially registered exporter/trader holding a tax number and buying from a third party in Thailand (e.g. wholesaler/manufactuer) you have to pay Thai VAT first but can file for refund upon providing the proper paperwork (official invoice featuring the amount of tax payed and shipping documents proving that the goods have actually been exported).

Any more specific questions just PM me.

Good luck.

Richard