I've been to Thailand many times, always carrying a significant kit of camera gear with me and without incident. This trip I will bring a used 13 inch inkjet printer as I'll be staying for a while, initially on 60 day tourist visa. I'll pack the printer in a nondescript brown box with clothing, printer papers, and inks.

Best case scenario: I walk through customs with a smile .

But maybe this will be an unlucky day and the customs official decides to check out the box. Being a "tourist", what can I say about the printer and what can I expect from the officials?

Thanks.

Edited June 24, 201214 yr by ierrei

Dont think this is Visa related ?

Are you going to leave the printer here? If not, perhaps you can convince the Customs guys, if they just happen to want to check, that you'll be taking it back to where ever you're coming from. If from the U.S., how about checking your local U.S. Customs office and get a document from them with the serial number indicated that it's from the U.S. Long ago I used to do this on camera stuff so I didn't get charged duty on return to the U.S., it worked.

On the other hand, if you're going to leave it here, how about just pricing the costs of buying a similar printer here? Might be close to the U.S. cost.

Mac

Very little chance of any issues but if not allowed suspect you can leave with customs for pick-up on departure (have done so in the past).

Several troll posts and replay removed.

If it's used, wouldn't this qualify as a personal item? I didn't think customs cared about personal effects (as long as you're not bringing a dozen of them in brand new, and all in the original box & packing).

He said nothing about it being used - only that he would make it look that way. A 13" inkjet printer is not a normal tourist item and will obviously make itself known in any scan so could make for an interesting conversation. But as said it probably would not be questioned.

I once....some years ago I'll admit,...I carried the following through customs at the airport then (long before Swampy was built):

2 computer systems...one with a rack of 3 high capacity hard drives, a desktop laser printer, and an desktop inkjet printer.

Also had a still photo camera system (not video) which I could attach to the computers to process photos.

These were legitimately personal gear....back then I really did take photos of landscape, scenic places, and such items for my own use.

Anyhow, I was stopped at the customs. I explained what I used them for, and after inspecting them they told me....no pay. your personal gear.

Not sure that still applies or not today.

If they did examine the bags and found the printer they may think he is here to work. They may then refer him to immigration. Easier to buy one here.

He said nothing about it being used....

"This trip I will bring a used 13 inch inkjet printer"

I brought a shed-load of used PC parts (including a 23in monitor) back in my luggage on my last trip in. I had no trouble but of course I wasn't actually stopped and just walked straight through. In fact in all the 35+ years I have been coming to Thailand I have never been stopped by customs.

Maybe I look too stupid honest.

Same here. A year or two ago when I came through on a 30 day exempt, I was carrying three laptops (one mine and two old ones as give-aways for friends in Vietnam) and two iPads and all went through x-ray on my way out and nothing was questioned.