4evermaat Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 This happened about a month ago, but I was surprised that textbook was charged. I've had several shipped to me from school overseas with no problems. Should the shipper have lowered the value of the book ($68.00 USD)? I never had to think about it before. import duty was 241 baht (10%) and customs VAT (7%) was 186 baht. I almost refused the shipment. (should I have?) What is the money limit in which the contents would be ignored? Are there any provisions for educational materials? (it was specifically labeled educational material and it was clearly a hardcover textbook if they opened it (didn't look opened). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FritsSikkink Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 when you refuse to pay you loose your book Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thaicbr Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 Fedex is the problem. Always use EMS not one of the express delivery services. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJCM Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 (edited) Fedex is the problem. Always use EMS not one of the express delivery services. Could you please explain why one of the express delivery services is a problem ? Edited October 25, 2011 by MJCM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CWMcMurray Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 Duty rate for Printed matter is 10%, but there is a special Tariff code for Education Materials that is rated at 0%. You should not have refused it, but should have been able to push them to use correct tariff code for 0% That being said, if they refused, you would have little recourse... you could have them turn over to your designated customs broker for clearance, but given the low value it wouldn't make sense as the charges for customs clearance and delivery would be higher that the duty amount that FedEx charged you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impulse Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 $14 on a $68 book seems pretty reasonable.Be thankful Fed-Ex didn't hit you for a $200 customs brokerage fee and that the government here allows printed material in at all.Warts and all, it ain't so bad here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derifo Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 Fedex is the problem. Always use EMS not one of the express delivery services. I think registered mail is better because I had to pay several times while using EMS in the past. I haven't paid anything since I switched to using registered mail. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thaicbr Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 Fedex is the problem. Always use EMS not one of the express delivery services. Could you please explain why one of the express delivery services is a problem ? Yes. because one of the ways they still manage to make it express is to charge taxes on every item whether tax is due or not. But hey if your happy keep having it delivered by express carriers. On EMS deliveries they only check and charge on a small percentage of goods coming into the country. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThaiRich Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 I ship in many things. Always use a postal service. Anything I have ever marked *educational material* has been duty free. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hedonist44 Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 (edited) Fedex is the problem. Always use EMS not one of the express delivery services. Spot on "thaicbr", be it for books or small cycle parts, stay away from the over night big boys BS and stick with EMS. Edited October 25, 2011 by hedonist44 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CWMcMurray Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 Fedex is the problem. Always use EMS not one of the express delivery services. Could you please explain why one of the express delivery services is a problem ? Yes. because one of the ways they still manage to make it express is to charge taxes on every item whether tax is due or not. But hey if your happy keep having it delivered by express carriers. On EMS deliveries they only check and charge on a small percentage of goods coming into the country. Sort off correct... they generally are a bit lazy and simply do what is easiest... There can some times be a question as to which tariff code that should be used. Customs brokers work with their customs and ask additional questions to try and use the best and most accurate tariff code, but most courier companies like FedEx, DHL and UPS make their money on volume, so they do not want to waste time on such things... Usually if any question in the tariff code, rather than ask questions or for additional clarification, they just take the higher duty rate to protect themselves. There goal is to spend as little time as possible on each shipment, not to try and save duty and vat charges for consignee's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProThaiExpat Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 I have heard Fedex and other delivery companies have an arrangement with customs officials to tax containers in bulk and then pro-rate the tax among the parcels in the containers, usually no relevance to what is being shipped by an individual. Also Fedex and other carriers often charge extra fees. Shipping by post is often tax free but when you do pay the tax, it is usually correct. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babcock Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 Last Christmas I received a gift sent via Amazon of 2 CDs. Our staff manager had to pay duty of 900 baht but the value of the goods was less than 500 baht. So if you have amazon vouchers are you going to be hit on any delivery? Previously it didn't happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
backsoon Posted October 26, 2011 Share Posted October 26, 2011 Duty rate for Printed matter is 10%, but there is a special Tariff code for Education Materials that is rated at 0%. You should not have refused it, but should have been able to push them to use correct tariff code for 0% That being said, if they refused, you would have little recourse... you could have them turn over to your designated customs broker for clearance, but given the low value it wouldn't make sense as the charges for customs clearance and delivery would be higher that the duty amount that FedEx charged you. 3I think we are discussing the wrong issue. The point is - there should be no tax, duty, VAT or any type of government surcharge on knowledge, hence textbooks. But TIT is strongly for it, otherwise it wouldn't be what it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harrry Posted October 26, 2011 Share Posted October 26, 2011 (edited) Duty rate for Printed matter is 10%, but there is a special Tariff code for Education Materials that is rated at 0%. You should not have refused it, but should have been able to push them to use correct tariff code for 0% That being said, if they refused, you would have little recourse... you could have them turn over to your designated customs broker for clearance, but given the low value it wouldn't make sense as the charges for customs clearance and delivery would be higher that the duty amount that FedEx charged you. 3I think we are discussing the wrong issue. The point is - there should be no tax, duty, VAT or any type of government surcharge on knowledge, hence textbooks. But TIT is strongly for it, otherwise it wouldn't be what it is. Australia has GST on textbooks as do many other countries. Maybe there shouldn't be but if the law is being applied fairly you hsve no complaint. The US and UK also apply tax escept under very limited conditions which do not apply to you. Edited October 26, 2011 by harrry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CWMcMurray Posted October 26, 2011 Share Posted October 26, 2011 Duty rate for Printed matter is 10%, but there is a special Tariff code for Education Materials that is rated at 0%. You should not have refused it, but should have been able to push them to use correct tariff code for 0% That being said, if they refused, you would have little recourse... you could have them turn over to your designated customs broker for clearance, but given the low value it wouldn't make sense as the charges for customs clearance and delivery would be higher that the duty amount that FedEx charged you. 3I think we are discussing the wrong issue. The point is - there should be no tax, duty, VAT or any type of government surcharge on knowledge, hence textbooks. But TIT is strongly for it, otherwise it wouldn't be what it is. Australia has GST on textbooks as do many other countries. Maybe there shouldn't be but if the law is being applied fairly you hsve no complaint. The US and UK also apply tax escept under very limited conditions which do not apply to you. GST or VAT are different that Import Duty... Only import goods are subject to Duty, GST or VAT are calculated on all goods imported or sold domestically... I think the OP in this case is discussing the Duty, rather that VAT... Education Material has a duty rate of 0%, but VAT of 7% would still be applicable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harrry Posted October 26, 2011 Share Posted October 26, 2011 Duty rate for Printed matter is 10%, but there is a special Tariff code for Education Materials that is rated at 0%. You should not have refused it, but should have been able to push them to use correct tariff code for 0% That being said, if they refused, you would have little recourse... you could have them turn over to your designated customs broker for clearance, but given the low value it wouldn't make sense as the charges for customs clearance and delivery would be higher that the duty amount that FedEx charged you. 3I think we are discussing the wrong issue. The point is - there should be no tax, duty, VAT or any type of government surcharge on knowledge, hence textbooks. But TIT is strongly for it, otherwise it wouldn't be what it is. Australia has GST on textbooks as do many other countries. Maybe there shouldn't be but if the law is being applied fairly you hsve no complaint. The US and UK also apply tax escept under very limited conditions which do not apply to you. GST or VAT are different that Import Duty... Only import goods are subject to Duty, GST or VAT are calculated on all goods imported or sold domestically... I think the OP in this case is discussing the Duty, rather that VAT... Education Material has a duty rate of 0%, but VAT of 7% would still be applicable. http://igtf.customs.go.th/igtf/en/main_frame.jsp does not give any listing. do you havehe tarrif no? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4evermaat Posted October 26, 2011 Author Share Posted October 26, 2011 Fedex is the problem. Always use EMS not one of the express delivery services. Don't have a choice in the matter. But never had a problem before. I will contact fedex and school and follow up. Duty rate for Printed matter is 10%, but there is a special Tariff code for Education Materials that is rated at 0%. You should not have refused it, but should have been able to push them to use correct tariff code for 0% That being said, if they refused, you would have little recourse... you could have them turn over to your designated customs broker for clearance, but given the low value it wouldn't make sense as the charges for customs clearance and delivery would be higher that the duty amount that FedEx charged you. Thanks. I will follow up with fedex if this happens again, and I will be much more diligent about accepting package. Why didn't they call me ahead of time? I am also asking school bookstore to follow up with this. I did see on all of the invoices it was clearly stated "educational materials" in English. Not sure where the confusion was. The first time I did think about the "cost" and figured I'd let it go. But I don't want to keep getting played. And I will not next time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gk10002000 Posted October 26, 2011 Share Posted October 26, 2011 So if I am in Thailand, and I order a book online, any book for me, and Amazon mails it to me, I pay money to customs? What about CDs, DVDs, Clothes or any other stuff I might order online or have mailed to me from the States? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CWMcMurray Posted October 26, 2011 Share Posted October 26, 2011 4901.991000 ---- - - - Educational, technical, scientific, historical or cultural books Duty: Exempted Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harrry Posted October 26, 2011 Share Posted October 26, 2011 4901.991000 ---- - - - Educational, technical, scientific, historical or cultural books Duty: Exempted THanks Do you know the code for equipment for handicapped person (wheelchair parts)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ralphlsasser Posted October 26, 2011 Share Posted October 26, 2011 (edited) 4901.991000 ---- - - - Educational, technical, scientific, historical or cultural books Duty: Exempted My doctor sent me one of my phrostetic legs I had rebuilt and customes charged me $470.00 USD. I was sent prepaid via FedX. Obviously I was <deleted>---d. Is there an exempt code for prostetic supplies? Edited October 26, 2011 by ralphlsasser Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harrry Posted October 26, 2011 Share Posted October 26, 2011 4901.991000 ---- - - - Educational, technical, scientific, historical or cultural books Duty: Exempted My doctor sent me one of my phrostetic legs I had rebuilt and customes charged me $470.00 USD. I was sent prepaid via FedX. Obviously I was <deleted>---d. Is there an exempt code for prostetic supplies? TNT charged me 10% + VAT on a controller for my wheelchair despite it being exemp on the page for exempted goods and my having informed them. That is why I wanted to know if there is a code for this so I can complain to TNT> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MRTELLYOUSTRAIGHT Posted October 27, 2011 Share Posted October 27, 2011 I had 160.00 quids worth of new clothes sent sent over from a online store in Covent Garden. My bill from Fedex was 7,000 baht, I was gutted becasue I bought the clothes in a sale with 50% discount but when was hit with a 7000 baht tax bill my savings went straight into the skyrockets of the customs folk. But i ain't a complaining because some you loose some you win, that's life. Next years sale will send to friend to bring over when they are on their hols, you live and learn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mulryan Posted October 28, 2011 Share Posted October 28, 2011 I shipped a guitar from the states and they extorted 5600 Baht in customs fees from me thru Fedex. (More than it cost to ship it) Thai's I know told me to just pay or they will keep it. Amazing Thailand... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al007 Posted October 28, 2011 Share Posted October 28, 2011 About a year ago I shipped from Turkey some personal belongings all old and only setimental value from Turkey where I had sold my yacht, by Fedex, I went to the airport to clear them, some sixsuitcases, the problems then began with Fedex effectively acting as collector and trying to get the highest price from me The shipping costs were some 750 Euros, the duty they wanted was so excessive I said they could keep the posessions I then said I wanted to see a customs officer, at which stage the duty was cut in half, some 6hrs later it was again cut in half Eight hours at the cargo airport and the goods were cleared The problem as I see it is Fedex act as unpaid customs collector and if they take the maximum from each individual then their life is easier with the customs. Shipping personal belongings here can be a night mare, try to avoid it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creck Posted October 28, 2011 Share Posted October 28, 2011 Roll on eBooks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gers1873 Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 Ok I order books and DVDs from both amazon.co.uk and amazon.com. Delivery from the UK has been as quick as four days. Amazon.com typically ships from their warehouse in Germany but seems to take slightly longer. I have NEVER been charged on any of the packages. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrRespectable Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 Pay your dues and quit with the whining. Tax is is the foundations of a civilized society, pay it with a smile. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FWIW Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 (edited) Just a small point, but I have been told that the duty payable is evaluated on the total cost of the goods AND shipping. Edited October 31, 2011 by FWIW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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