Work Permit Required To Importing Personal Belongings?

[Maceo]

Hi,

I am moving out to BK in Feb (from the UK) to look for work teaching English. I am leaving all my personal belongings with a shipping agent, who will once I find somewehere permanent to stay, send them to me. I have been on the Thai customs website and they say that a one year work permit is required before stuff can be imported. Is this correct?

I am coming in on a multi-entry visa.

Thanks for any help.

Maceo

[lopburi3]

Yes. Think you will find most people come with a suitcase and buy here.

[raro]

If you want to import duty-free, yes, a work permit is required.

[Sheryl]

Hi,

I am moving out to BK in Feb (from the UK) to look for work teaching English. I am leaving all my personal belongings with a shipping agent, who will once I find somewehere permanent to stay, send them to me. I have been on the Thai customs website and they say that a one year work permit is required before stuff can be imported. Is this correct?

I am coming in on a multi-entry visa.

Thanks for any help.

Maceo

I imported without a work visa, but I had to pay duty. It was some years ago but I think things still the same. Your shipping agent should have either a Thai office or Thai firm they cooperate with, find out which it is and go chat with them, if you have a packing list they may be able to give a rough cost estimate.

[markuk]

Hi,

I am moving out to BK in Feb (from the UK) to look for work teaching English. I am leaving all my personal belongings with a shipping agent, who will once I find somewehere permanent to stay, send them to me. I have been on the Thai customs website and they say that a one year work permit is required before stuff can be imported. Is this correct?

I am coming in on a multi-entry visa.

Thanks for any help.

Maceo

I had to leave my belongings in customs until i got a work permit then it cleared with no duty - in fact they never even opened the boxes.

I belive you can do it without work permit but will pay duty.

[AsiaWolfie]

this is an interesting not to say essential topic for many people who want to move to LOS.... can't the guys from our sponsoring consulting-companies sunbeltasia or Indosiam give some comment on that ?

As for me, I managed to bring most of my belongings to LOS on my several overseas trips, sometimes my handluggage was small-sized but "as low as 28 KG" (books, papers), but my huge CD collection of 1.400 items, which I miss so d.a.m.n.e.d much (yes I'm a Freak ), is still over there in Europe. How much of duty charges would it be to send them to here ? and what is prohibited to be sent to LOS ? so many questions....

[Maceo]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for your comments. In addition I note that the Thai customs web site states that belongings can only be imported either one month before the person arrives or no later than six months after they arrive. Has any one experienced this?

AsiaWolfie, you are not alone, most of my stuff is CD's and music related equipment! However, I am currently busy loading as much as I can onto my Ipod before I pack them, so I will not be totally without my beloved music!

Cheers

Maceo

[raro]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for your comments. In addition I note that the Thai customs web site states that belongings can only be imported either one month before the person arrives or no later than six months after they arrive. Has any one experienced this?

AsiaWolfie, you are not alone, most of my stuff is CD's and music related equipment! However, I am currently busy loading as much as I can onto my Ipod before I pack them, so I will not be totally without my beloved music!

Cheers

Maceo

Again, this applies to the duty-free import. You can import whatever you want (except for guns, drugs...) any time you like, but it would be subject to duties. PM me if you like, we are in the shipping business.

[expatinasia]

My experience was different...I didn't have a work permit, and I didn't have to pay any duty.

[raro]

My experience was different...I didn't have a work permit, and I didn't have to pay any duty.

That was possible a while ago, but they have changed it (last year?).

[expatinasia]

I don't know if the rules changed, or I just got lucky. I had my stuff imported in August, 2004. The importer, a larger gaggle of crooks has not been identified yet, originally quoted a duty of 5,000 THB - and I agreed. However, they selfishly increased that to 50,000 THB overnight, and I insisted on visiting Customs myself. When I got there, EVERYTHING had been unboxed, and was on the tarmac. The Customs inspector and I went to every pile and he made notes on every piece. We finally entered an agreement, if I could prove anything one thing was at least 6 months old, I would not have to pay duty. He rummaged through a pile of suits, and point to one, "Prove that this suit is more than 6 months old." I went through the pockets and found a ticket for my former employer's Christmas party, which was held the previous November. The inspector laughed and he allowed me to keep my stuff without the payment of any duty. Immediately, the shipping company called me and demanded a "tip", because their representative negotiated a good deal for me. Their rep did nothing, remaining mute through the entire deal, and I didn't give a tip to him or anyone else.

[raro]

...well done, wish I had seen the face of the customs guy!

[blue eyes]

fd

[Sunbelt Asia]

Hi,

I am moving out to BK in Feb (from the UK) to look for work teaching English. I am leaving all my personal belongings with a shipping agent, who will once I find somewehere permanent to stay, send them to me. I have been on the Thai customs website and they say that a one year work permit is required before stuff can be imported. Is this correct?

I am coming in on a multi-entry visa.

Thanks for any help.

Maceo

Either a letter issued by the Immigration Department confirming that an annual temporary stay is granted or a one-year ( or more years) work permit issued by the Department of Labor ( this will be on page 5 of the work permit.

www.lawyer.th.com