Very Expensive For Pers Effects/Household Stuff

[dehelle]

Why are the import taxes for foreigners who are moving to thailand to live (o visa) , with their household personal effects so VERY EXPENSIVE and TAX and IMPORT ?

[dehelle]

COUNT on 50 procent of the goods value (old stuff price)

[dehelle]

Without speaking abaut car ,or othe motorized mach.,multiple electrical appliances , blender ,tools , handy speciale tools !!!

[ShopBoy]

50% ? Something wrong some where.

Someone correct me if i am wrong. No matter what items it is the max tax should be at 30%.

[Penkoprod]

You have to balance what you see as "expensive" with what you might get of a similar quality in Thailand (if, indeed such a quality even EXISTS in Thailand!!!)

You have to work out beforehand if those costs are worthwhile or not. And not just financial costs, either. There is the price of convenience in having your own stuff to hand, insterad of running round looking for like-for-like items.

You may well come to the conclusion that its not that expensive afterall

Penkoprod

[glegolo]

COUNT on 50 procent of the goods value (old stuff price)

There are rules to follow when you import household goods/personal effects/removals. The customs duty overall

is about something like 8-12%. When it comes to cars, I just say, Dont do it... they charge you customs duty and VAT for about 300%....

Now... The rules says that if you import your personal effects within the first 6 months of your first 1 year "extension of stay" i.e.

Extension based on marriage or Extension based on retirement you are entitled to import your "stuff" free of customs duty and free of VAT.

But I must say if you have paid such amounyts as 50%, I think that you have been fooled really bad by the thai´s......

Good luck...

Glegolo

[Penkoprod]

Now... The rules says that if you import your personal effects within the first 6 months of your first 1 year "extension of stay" i.e.

Extension based on marriage or Extension based on retirement you are entitled to import your "stuff" free of customs duty and free of VAT.

Glegolo

Can you provide a link to this evidence about being able to import stuff free of customs duty and VAT?

Because what i used to have was a link from the Thai customs themselves stating that this WASNT so cut and dried as you think

(i lost the link in a hard drive crash and reformat)

Penkoprod

[7by7]

Nothing to do with visas and migration to other countries; moved.

[Langsuan Man]

Now... The rules says that if you import your personal effects within the first 6 months of your first 1 year "extension of stay" i.e.

Extension based on marriage or Extension based on retirement you are entitled to import your "stuff" free of customs duty and free of VAT.

Glegolo

Can you provide a link to this evidence about being able to import stuff free of customs duty and VAT?

Because what i used to have was a link from the Thai customs themselves stating that this WASNT so cut and dried as you think

(i lost the link in a hard drive crash and reformat)

Penkoprod

Here is the salient points and the reference follows:

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 criteria listed below:

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

* Nonresidents granted to work in Thailand are 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:

o The letter from the Immigration Department certifying that the nonresidents shall be granted an annual temporary stay in Thailand; or

o The work permit from the Department of Labor to work in Thailand for at least one year.

* 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.

Source: http://www.customs.go.th/wps/wcm/connect/custen/individuals/importing+used+or+secondhand+household+effects/importingusedsecondhandhouseholdeffects

I do not believe this section is applicable to Retirement Visa's or Extensions of Stay for the purpose of Retirement, although there are those that do

Many posters here at TV report that they have not been charged Customs Duty upon receipt of an overseas shipment (especially from Chang Mai members) but I don't think that is because of this "exemption" but just because they were lucky