Shipping Company/Costs

[eek]

Anyone know of a good (reliable) company for shipping heavy (goods laden) trunks from UK to Thailand?

Any idea on Import tax (personal effects such as clothing/books)?

Obviously looking for reliable but cheapest options.

Or, alternatively, cheap secure storage in the UK to move some items to.

Any one with some experience of this who could offer advice would be great.

Thanks so much.

[harrry]

Why not talk to raro?

[murni]

When we moved here 8yrs ago we used acompany called Seabra in Bankok. They did door to door and were excellent. Cost depends on size not weight. We had to pay 100pounds import duty but a lot of our things were electrical i.e microwave, bread maker, deep fat fryer, stero etc.

Hope this helps

[bobl]

I've used air cargo services from US to Tanzania, and Tanzania to Thailand, usually I budget around $4/kg. From UK I'd be speaking directly to the airlines cargo departments. If you use an agent you'll likely pay a lot more. If you're prepared to do a bit of legwork DIY you should make some significant savings.

At the Th end be prepared for lots of questions, x-rays and/or opening of cases, and heavy negotiating on the duty payable. It will help a lot if you take a Thai friend along.

When I shipped my tg's stuff from Tz to Th her uncle got the run-around for 2 days in bkk, until he went 3rd day in uniform (Naval Officer) and got the stuff out in 2 hours for a nominal fee. Then 20 baht a kilo by air to Chiang Mai where we picked it up (10 minutes at airport cargo offices).

[elektrified]

Why not talk to raro?

His company will not be able to help with tax exemption unless only 1 of 2 criteria are applicable.

[ianf]

WE used a Company in Bangkok for a 40 foot container. It depends on how much you want to move. If its excess baggage then the Excess Baggage Company is a good choice. If its a huge amount then you need a container. Ours was excellent. No import tax as my then wife was Thai and it all came in on her name. Many ways of doing this. What quantity/volume are you moving?

[burnsie]

WE used a Company in Bangkok for a 40 foot container. It depends on how much you want to move. If its excess baggage then the Excess Baggage Company is a good choice. If its a huge amount then you need a container. Ours was excellent. No import tax as my then wife was Thai and it all came in on her name. Many ways of doing this. What quantity/volume are you moving?

Hi mate, where doing the same move back to LOS my wife is thai and basically we want to move all the house hold contents back, including beds, sofas, all electrical items, you name it we want to bring it back. Could you give details on the whole procedure and import duties plus how to get the stuff cleared at customs and where you have to go, also costs of shipping and recommended compamies, many thanks.

[sappersrest]

'My son has just sent some boxes 3x30 kg plus a large box £250 inc vat door to door. He sent it in his wife's name as she has been in uk for over 2 years, so duty is less or nil.

After a lot o research he used Seven Seas worldwide.

They even have Thai speaking agents in the UK.

[eek]

WE used a Company in Bangkok for a 40 foot container. It depends on how much you want to move. If its excess baggage then the Excess Baggage Company is a good choice. If its a huge amount then you need a container. Ours was excellent. No import tax as my then wife was Thai and it all came in on her name. Many ways of doing this. What quantity/volume are you moving?

Will be a couple of large storage trunks (filled with clothes, personal effects, etc), box of books, a very large suitcase.. thats about it i think (problem is i dont recall, and family are going to be sorting it out UK side for me). So the things will mostly be heavy..but i dont think i have anything electrical.

Really not sure how to proceed to be honest. Any idea on taxation? Also need to bring it up to Chiang Mai. Can this be done directly?

[elektrified]

WE used a Company in Bangkok for a 40 foot container. It depends on how much you want to move. If its excess baggage then the Excess Baggage Company is a good choice. If its a huge amount then you need a container. Ours was excellent. No import tax as my then wife was Thai and it all came in on her name. Many ways of doing this. What quantity/volume are you moving?

Will be a couple of large storage trunks (filled with clothes, personal effects, etc), box of books, a very large suitcase.. thats about it i think (problem is i dont recall, and family are going to be sorting it out UK side for me). So the things will mostly be heavy..but i dont think i have anything electrical.

Really not sure how to proceed to be honest. Any idea on taxation? Also need to bring it up to Chiang Mai. Can this be done directly?

For such a small shipment it will not cost you very much. Sounds to me like about one cubic meter or so??? I checked into shipping some things from the USA sea freight and the quote was US $85.00 per cubic meter including the pick-up if packing is done by yourself. What's that like 50 Pounds? You will not be taxed on used clothes and books. I'm pretty sure of that.

Trucking such a small shipment from the port of BKK to C.M. can be done on a 'shared' type of basis by a number of companies; Nim See Seng being one. We had about 1 cubic meter sent from BKK one time using this company and the cost was less than 1000 Baht, I think closer to 500 or 600 as I recall. Shipment is picked up at their location on the Super Highway near Tesco Kamthieng.

I can't recommend a company, sorry. I think an agent would not be interested in such a small shipment so best just to make some inquiries with sea freight companies in the U.K. by email. There are loads of companies. You will need an agent in BKK to sort out the paperwork, clear it through, and arrange for the trucking.

[harrry]

Your problem will not be the freight it will be the customs. Packs like that are awkward too as they need an inventory of everything in the pack and they tax the lot at the rate of the highest item.

[elektrified]

I don't think you will be taxed on used clothes and books.