Seeking Advice In Bringing Household Goods To Thailand

[Saan]

I want to bring a number of items, mainly small kitchen ware, from Australia to Thailand - all personal property. Can anyone advise me as to the best way to do this.

[zippydedodah]

we just brought a LOT of personal kitchen items (include a Crock Pot) back from USA... in the suitcases... actually around 100 pounds of just kitchen stuff... they did not bother to open our cases, so all is good.

Otherwise, i might say get a thai wife, but it is probably just cheaper to pay duty on the items.

If you do send, send via post office, not DHL or FedEx, as those operations tend to get customs checks. Divide it up into small packages/lots and give it a whirl.

[Saan]

Thanks for the advice. My beloved crock pot, in the new age world now called a slow cooker, is one of the things I was planning on bringing in. I can fill it up with kitchen nick nacks.

we just brought a LOT of personal kitchen items (include a Crock Pot) back from USA... in the suitcases... actually around 100 pounds of just kitchen stuff... they did not bother to open our cases, so all is good.

Otherwise, i might say get a thai wife, but it is probably just cheaper to pay duty on the items.

If you do send, send via post office, not DHL or FedEx, as those operations tend to get customs checks. Divide it up into small packages/lots and give it a whirl.

[trainman34014]

Thanks for the advice. My beloved crock pot, in the new age world now called a slow cooker, is one of the things I was planning on bringing in. I can fill it up with kitchen nick nacks.

we just brought a LOT of personal kitchen items (include a Crock Pot) back from USA... in the suitcases... actually around 100 pounds of just kitchen stuff... they did not bother to open our cases, so all is good.

Otherwise, i might say get a thai wife, but it is probably just cheaper to pay duty on the items.

If you do send, send via post office, not DHL or FedEx, as those operations tend to get customs checks. Divide it up into small packages/lots and give it a whirl.

I brought all my Kitchen stuff from England in suitcases on several trips. Got opened once but nobody interested in Knives and forks, tin opener, Pyrex dishes etc..

[HarryPalmer]

Just remember for electrical items, it's 240 volts in Thailand not 120 volts as in the USA.

[NancyL]

Thanks for the advice. My beloved crock pot, in the new age world now called a slow cooker, is one of the things I was planning on bringing in. I can fill it up with kitchen nick nacks.

we just brought a LOT of personal kitchen items (include a Crock Pot) back from USA... in the suitcases... actually around 100 pounds of just kitchen stuff... they did not bother to open our cases, so all is good.

Otherwise, i might say get a thai wife, but it is probably just cheaper to pay duty on the items.

If you do send, send via post office, not DHL or FedEx, as those operations tend to get customs checks. Divide it up into small packages/lots and give it a whirl.

I brought all my Kitchen stuff from England in suitcases on several trips. Got opened once but nobody interested in Knives and forks, tin opener, Pyrex dishes etc..

Customs gets real interested in this type of stuff if you bring it in via DHL, FedEx, UPS. We used a U.S. company that specialized in worldwide packing and shipping of art and antiques to bring in my husband's family china, crystal and silver plus a few other fragile items. No problems with anything breaking, but the shakedown at the CM airport for a pallet with 95 kilos of stuff was amazing. Meanwhile, we'd sent anything that either wouldn't break or wasn't especially rare via the U.S. postal system, using their flat rate priority mail boxes. We got those boxes W-A-Y before the FedEx pallet, all 32 little boxes showing up almost before we got here. Sure the FedEx pallet was at the CM airport before the USPS boxes arrived at our serviced apartment, but we were involved in weeks of negotiations and hoop jumping with CM airport customs when we thought we'd contracted for door-to-door delivery with the antiques shipping company.

Moral of the story: ship via the postal system whereever possible and otherwise be prepared to pay a hefty duty if you ship via DHL/FedEx/UPS. It's still worth it for good quality cookware, Pyrex, a decent can opener, etc. This stuff is amazingly expensive in Thailand.

[zippydedodah]

Just remember for electrical items, it's 240 volts in Thailand not 120 volts as in the USA.

A hefty transformer will handle about all you can throw at it. Looking back now, i am sorry i did not bring our Kitchen Aid mixer - cost about 229 USD and at Yok or Robinson's it is 35,000 baht!!!

I ended up buy a CHAMP mixer here and it definitely does what we need, but dam_n, those Kitchen Aid mixers sure look nice.

This last trip we got stuff like oven thermometer (700 baht at Yok, but 3.99 USD at Crate and Barrel), good silicon high temp oven gloves that come up to the elbow, and such.

Seems anything that smacks of western life here (kitchen-wise), costs 5-10 times more.

[meatboy]

there are plenty of posts on the subject,take the advice,put them in your suit case do not,repeat do not ship them over.there are some nice slow cookers in los.but good cutlery is dear.

[TongueThaied]

Just remember for electrical items, it's 240 volts in Thailand not 120 volts as in the USA.

A hefty transformer will handle about all you can throw at it. Looking back now, i am sorry i did not bring our Kitchen Aid mixer - cost about 229 USD and at Yok or Robinson's it is 35,000 baht!!!

I ended up buy a CHAMP mixer here and it definitely does what we need, but dam_n, those Kitchen Aid mixers sure look nice.

This last trip we got stuff like oven thermometer (700 baht at Yok, but 3.99 USD at Crate and Barrel), good silicon high temp oven gloves that come up to the elbow, and such.

Seems anything that smacks of western life here (kitchen-wise), costs 5-10 times more.

Don't you have any friends or family in the US? Just order online and send to your US friend. Have them remove all retail packaging, then reship to you in a plain box (padded mailer better and cheaper, if it will fit), by USPS. Never lie on the declaration, but be "creative," e.g., a Kindle is a "book." Customs rarely looks at the stuff and you save a bundle over the extortionate prices they charge here. Re-shipping often costs as much as the item. But 200% is better than 500%, isn't it? As stated above, NEVER, NEVER, Never use UPS, FedEx or DHL!

And, yes, the OP is from Austrailia, but it seems many Americans have replied. I would imagine this method would work just as well from Austrailia. If the item is made in Austrailia, refuse to pay any duty; it is covered under the free trade pact which became 100% operational in January of this year.

Edited November 11, 2011 by TongueThaied

[bluweyze]

I don't know your personal situation but if you have a work permit here it is possible to bring in your household goods without paying duty. I brought mine in and disclosed to customs they only charged duty on duplicate items ( i.e I had 2 DVD players so one paid duty)The shipping company used a customs agent to do it all for me and it was very easy.

[NancyL]

I don't know your personal situation but if you have a work permit here it is possible to bring in your household goods without paying duty. I brought mine in and disclosed to customs they only charged duty on duplicate items ( i.e I had 2 DVD players so one paid duty)The shipping company used a customs agent to do it all for me and it was very easy.

This only seems to work well for people who do ocean shipping. Otherwise, if someone is using DHL/UPS/FedEx then they're hit with big customs charges in CM no matter what their visa status. Postal service is definitely the best for shipments too small for an ocean container.

[factseeker]

Thanks for the advice. My beloved crock pot, in the new age world now called a slow cooker, is one of the things I was planning on bringing in. I can fill it up with kitchen nick nacks.

we just brought a LOT of personal kitchen items (include a Crock Pot) back from USA... in the suitcases... actually around 100 pounds of just kitchen stuff... they did not bother to open our cases, so all is good.

Otherwise, i might say get a thai wife, but it is probably just cheaper to pay duty on the items.

If you do send, send via post office, not DHL or FedEx, as those operations tend to get customs checks. Divide it up into small packages/lots and give it a whirl.

I brought all my Kitchen stuff from England in suitcases on several trips. Got opened once but nobody interested in Knives and forks, tin opener, Pyrex dishes etc..

Customs gets real interested in this type of stuff if you bring it in via DHL, FedEx, UPS. We used a U.S. company that specialized in worldwide packing and shipping of art and antiques to bring in my husband's family china, crystal and silver plus a few other fragile items. No problems with anything breaking, but the shakedown at the CM airport for a pallet with 95 kilos of stuff was amazing. Meanwhile, we'd sent anything that either wouldn't break or wasn't especially rare via the U.S. postal system, using their flat rate priority mail boxes. We got those boxes W-A-Y before the FedEx pallet, all 32 little boxes showing up almost before we got here. Sure the FedEx pallet was at the CM airport before the USPS boxes arrived at our serviced apartment, but we were involved in weeks of negotiations and hoop jumping with CM airport customs when we thought we'd contracted for door-to-door delivery with the antiques shipping company.

Moral of the story: ship via the postal system whereever possible and otherwise be prepared to pay a hefty duty if you ship via DHL/FedEx/UPS. It's still worth it for good quality cookware, Pyrex, a decent can opener, etc. This stuff is amazingly expensive in Thailand.

Hi All,

Interesting thread you have here.

I am aware of Customs 'shakedowns' as also can occur elswhere in the world.

But I read and understood one had 6 months after receiving retirement status to bring in all household effects - no charges or duties - as a one hit only.

I was figuring to use a shipping Container from Europe.

You guys seem to be having to resort to bringing it in 'one piece at a time ' a la Johnny Cash'.

If it really is like that I need to know and change plans PDQ.

Rgds.

FS

Edited November 15, 2011 by factseeker

[jaideeguy]

I'd like to know what they consider 'household goods'.......or rather what they consider 'non household goods'. Like sporting goods, camping gear, recreational vehicles, inflatable rafts etc. All expensive items here if you can locate them.

I've looked all over the web and can't find anything on the Thai customs site.

Does it say on any of retirement doccumentation any thing about importing household and/or personal items??

under the Philippines retirement plan, you are alowed one shipment of a value of $8,000.......makes it simple. Many just fill a container and undervalue items and no probs.....but a vehicle can be a nightmare.

[hml367]

I'd like to know what they consider 'household goods'.......or rather what they consider 'non household goods'. Like sporting goods, camping gear, recreational vehicles, inflatable rafts etc. All expensive items here if you can locate them.

I've looked all over the web and can't find anything on the Thai customs site.

Does it say on any of retirement doccumentation any thing about importing household and/or personal items??

under the Philippines retirement plan, you are alowed one shipment of a value of $8,000.......makes it simple. Many just fill a container and undervalue items and no probs.....but a vehicle can be a nightmare.

1st paragraph from the English part of Customs web site regarding bringing household goods:

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

Vehicles are not household effects.

And asking them directly is probably better than going by what someone else may have done:

CONTACT

For further inquiry and information, you may contact the Customs Call Center at Tel. 1164 or the Customs Clinic at Tel. 02-667-7880-4, Fax. 02-667-7885, e-mail: [email protected]. Additional information may also be obtained from Customs ports of entry/exit. Please consult our telephone directory for a Customs office near you. The listing can be found under the “CONTACT US” section

MSPain

Edited November 18, 2011 by hml367

[kurnell]

Retirees or returning farangs cannot import households goods tax and duty free under any circumstances. Sorry to rain on your parade. Only a returning Thai national or farang with work permit and that is the law no matter what you read on what website.

[hml367]

edit

Edited November 18, 2011 by hml367

[elektrified]

edit

I was told by a large law firm in Bangkok that the law had changed prior to my arrival in 2007. Retirees are not exempt from paying tax and duty on household goods. Perhaps prior to August 2007 that was the case, but not now. The six month issue only applies to holders of a work permit.

[hml367]

edit

I was told by a large law firm in Bangkok that the law had changed prior to my arrival in 2007. Retirees are not exempt from paying tax and duty on household goods. Perhaps prior to August 2007 that was the case, but not now. The six month issue only applies to holders of a work permit.

there is a very large Thai legal service that currently says it can be done.

this is from the web site of the Thai Consulate in Chiacago regarding documentation required for exemption of payment, etc.:

<li> In the case of foreigners changing domicile to Thailand. either of the following documents is required:

• Non-immigrant quota as shown on the passport or resident book, or;
• Proof of entrance into Thailand as an expert, specialist or consultant to any government agency in the form of a letter certifying that such a person has received a non-immigrant visa issued by the Immigration Bureau to work and reside in Thailand for at least 1 year, or
• A one - year work permit from the Employment Department.
• A one - year non-immigrant visa.

I think the word either means any of the above documents.

As I posted before, it is probably best for the person to contact Customs directly. The information on their web site is from 2009 I think.

The people that I know that did this probably did it before 2007.

MSPain

[hml367]

Retirees or returning farangs cannot import households goods tax and duty free under any circumstances. Sorry to rain on your parade. Only a returning Thai national or farang with work permit and that is the law no matter what you read on what website.

What law are you referring to, kurnell?

MSPain

[hml367]

This is the Thai Custom Tarriff web site: http://igtf.customs.go.th/igtf/en/main_frame.jsp .

If you get through it to find the secondhand, personal effects, etc., it doesn't say anything about what type of visa or work permit other than "change of domicile". Other than what it says pretty much what has already been posted.

MSPain

[Saan]

Thanks for all the advice. I think a large suitcase is the way for me.

[kurnell]

Retirees or returning farangs cannot import households goods tax and duty free under any circumstances. Sorry to rain on your parade. Only a returning Thai national or farang with work permit and that is the law no matter what you read on what website.

What law are you referring to, kurnell?

MSPain

Law/regulation that states only returning Thai national and foreigners with a work permit can import hhg tax and duty free. The website link above is ambiguous, but I can assure you 100% that I am correct, having handled shipments like this for 12 years in Thailand. I have seen claims on this site that people have imported their hhg for free, and have no doubt that one or two can slip under the radar, but I have only seen it once, when a client of ours cried solidly for 4 hrs in front of the customs officer until he gave in.

[KayCee]

We had a container shipped, no work permit, just a retiree visa, and had no problem and paid no duties on the container from the US, so long as we could give them our original passport showing the visa, and so long as the container arrived at the proper terminal in Bangkok. We did need an inventory list, and if we were bringing too many electronics, etc., might have had an issue, but one of each (TV, DVD player, etc.) got no negative reaction. The agent was very clear that without the 1 year visa we were going to have to pay, so we had to wait to go through the bank account balance period, then get the visa, before we could process the container through, so that timing can be important.

Apparently shipments arriving to a different shipping terminal do have difficulty getting the duty free access (and indeed we paid massively for our container that arrived from our last posting in Africa, as it could only be shipped to a terminal that did not have this duty free facility available.). I would suggest using a reputable shipping company and asking their advice. We sent our passport by DHL, they handled it, no muss, no fuss, and the container was trucked up to us here without any large degree of hassle.

We didn't cry, shout, or pay anything under the table, so it seems it can be done, but perhaps one needs an agent to help? Best of luck.

Edited November 18, 2011 by KayCee

[trainman34014]

Thanks for all the advice. I think a large suitcase is the way for me.

Indeed the way to go; especially if you are making several trips before you settle. I did it over a three year period of multi visits just bringing everything that would fit into suitcases. Never any problems with customs and now we have all the decent quality gear in the house that you can't buy here, or pay a fortune for. Personally I never bothered about bringing large electrical items/furniture etc as there are plenty of choices here and prices are no worse than the West in most cases.

[Sophon]

Law/regulation that states only returning Thai national and foreigners with a work permit can import hhg tax and duty free. The website link above is ambiguous, but I can assure you 100% that I am correct, having handled shipments like this for 12 years in Thailand. I have seen claims on this site that people have imported their hhg for free, and have no doubt that one or two can slip under the radar, but I have only seen it once, when a client of ours cried solidly for 4 hrs in front of the customs officer until he gave in.

From www2.customs.go.th:

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:

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

2. 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.

3. 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:

1. 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.

2. 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.

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

Notice the section in bold.

Sophon

[Mapguy]

We had a container shipped, no work permit, just a retiree visa, and had no problem and paid no duties on the container from the US, so long as we could give them our original passport showing the visa, and so long as the container arrived at the proper terminal in Bangkok. We did need an inventory list, and if we were bringing too many electronics, etc., might have had an issue, but one of each (TV, DVD player, etc.) got no negative reaction. The agent was very clear that without the 1 year visa we were going to have to pay, so we had to wait to go through the bank account balance period, then get the visa, before we could process the container through, so that timing can be important.

Apparently shipments arriving to a different shipping terminal do have difficulty getting the duty free access (and indeed we paid massively for our container that arrived from our last posting in Africa, as it could only be shipped to a terminal that did not have this duty free facility available.). I would suggest using a reputable shipping company and asking their advice. We sent our passport by DHL, they handled it, no muss, no fuss, and the container was trucked up to us here without any large degree of hassle.

We didn't cry, shout, or pay anything under the table, so it seems it can be done, but perhaps one needs an agent to help? Best of luck.

This post seems most sensible of all, especially about using a reputable international shipping firm that (Here's a hint.) works with reputable agents in Thailand, such as Shenker.

If you use an international express firm (DHL, UPS, et cetera), there will always be a careful customs check. Such agents are not really designed for the shipment of personal goods. DON'T TRY IT !!!

Put things in your suitcases ? Up to you! Take your chances.

Postal service? Sometimes, customs checks are made ---most times they are not --- with small parcels.

The Thai customs web site is thorough and informative.

Otherwise, bite the bullet, and don't be too sentimental about the "stuff" of your previous existence!

[hml367]

Notice the section in bold.

Sophon

What is the difference between a "resuming resident" and a "non-Thai residents changing residence into Thailand" ?

MSPain

[kurnell]

And???

[hml367]

And???

do you have the name of the law/act/decree which you were referring to?

I have found a 2007 decree and I have also tried to contact Customs directly. If they answer I will post what thier answer is.

MSPain

Edited November 19, 2011 by hml367

[kurnell]

And???

do you have the name of the law/act/decree which you were referring to?

I have found a 2007 decree and I have also tried to contact Customs directly. If they answer I will post what thier answer is.

MSPain

Written on page 1 of this thread "(2.2) The work permit from the Department of Labor to work in Thailand for at least one year."