Importing Stuff Temporarily To Thailand (Vat/Duty Etc.)

[blorg]

I'm cycling from Europe to Australia and will be in Thailand in a month or so.

I have quite a number of things that I need to get, some of which it is possible to get in Thailand, some of which probably not possible. Prices outside Thailand for most things are a lot lower even with the VAT removed and the shipping cost factored in.

My current list is something along the lines of:

- cycling sandals

- saddle

- camera

- phone

- solar panel

- spare batteries

What is the situation with ordering online from the US or Europe? Will anything I order be subject to VAT and duty (even though I am not resident in Thailand and will only be passing through?)

I know VAT is 7% but are there additional charges?

Any way around this? I know I can get the VAT back on stuff I buy in a shop in Thailand IF I fly out of the country (I may take a side trip to Myanmar to qualify) but I am guessing this does not apply to imports.

[Crossy]

If you get your stuff sent by EMS or registered / signed for post rather than one of the couriers (FedEx, UPS, DHL etc) the chances are very good that it will get through without attracting the attention of customs. The courier services invariably get duty and VAT (plus 'other' charges) added

Phones, cameras and batteries are readily available here (and are most likely to go astray in the post), so unless you have very specific and special needs I wouldn't bother ordering from overseas.

Good luck on your adventure Are you posting any blog or documenting it in some way?

[bobl]

In Tanzania I have a "telephone directory" size book detailing all the categories,excise duties & various taxes - but I've been unable to find one yet in Thailand. In Tz you just buy a copy from the local tax office.

I'd be grateful if anyone has a link to a government pdf, or knows the whereabouts of an office I could obtain such a book in Thailand...

[kartman]

I expect they are printed and go directly to the recyclers i doubt Customs in Thailand want the general public to be one step ahead.

[blorg]

Thanks for the replies.

The phone and camera I want are readily available in Thailand but the camera (Canon Ixus 220 HS) at least is much more expensive, e.g. $149 from Adorama vs 8,990 THB (almost double.)

I bought a Sony Nex 5N already in Thailand and paid through the nose for the privilege (27,900 for the version with 2 lenses.) This is substantially higher than the US or European price, but I needed a camera after my old one was stolen here in Laos and was happy to get it in Nong Khai even if I was paying.

The phones are actually reasonably priced in Thailand. I need to decide between a Galaxy Nexus at 19,990 or a Galaxy Note at 22,990.

From what I can figure out (and this is most peculiar compared to the US or Europe) electronics in Thailand all seem to adhere strictly to the MSRP. In US or Europe you _never_ pay the MSRP, you can always get it discounted. It was the same in Vietnam, prices were very varied. Everywhere I look in Thailand the camera I want is exactly the same price as are the phones.

The sandals I doubt I could get in Thailand and I really need these soon to continue; it will be tricky enough riding the 1,500km or so to Bangkok on a broken one. The saddle will be a warranty replacement sent by the manufacturer. The solar panel is a bit of a speciality item; the manufacturer has no distributor in Thailand but only in Singapore.

I guess I will take the advice and buy the camera and phone locally and look at getting the other items shipped. I should be able to get 7% back on them at least if I buy locally (although I will be exiting Thailand by land to Malaysia I plan on taking a side trip to Myanmar by plane.)

I would have the option of sending the solar panel at least to Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia or Darwin if that was likely to go smoother. I don't need it until I ride across Australia, although the sooner the better to work out any kinks in its use.

I have a blog at www.crazyguyonabike.com/ivan but it hasn't been updated since I got to Istanbul, 18 months ago! I mean to update it at some point.

[blorg]

Late update on this, but I bought the phone and camera in Phnom Penh at very reasonable prices (cheaper than Thailand, pretty much US prices, the phone even maybe a little cheaper after negotiation) and had the rest of the more specialist stuff sent to Thailand in one unmarked package (from my parents) by post. It made it intact and wasn't stopped for duty.

The saddle manufacturer, Brooks, very generously sent me a new one for free and that was stopped (I am guessing they used a courier) but the duty was not too much in the scheme of things and obviously I appreciate a free saddle (it was many years out of warranty.) They are a good company.

Thanks again to all for the advice.