Hello All,

I am planning to get a machine from China. It is a print machine. I have not give China the approved go head green light to load my stuff yet. Right now i am worry about the Thai customs charging whatever % they see like. So i need alittle bit of an advice here from those who are experienced & have done it before.

1) Will the custom charge unpredictability? China said the Thai tax for their machine is 7%. Called Bangkok Custom, They said not more than 10%. Depend on type of machine.

2) Heard from the locals that I do not need to be presence & collect it in person. They suggested to hire an logistic agent to clear the custom, load the machine in their transport & they will deliver right up till the door step. Is this possible ?

Thats all folks. Two questions. Thanks in advance.

Steel

Get the shipping agents to deal with it, and keep your own face out of sight.

Get the shipping agents to deal with it, and keep your own face out of sight.

Agreed...cant fathom for even one minute why you would even show a face at the port....retain the agent and get them to deliver your shipment to your door. If you go putting your nose in down there, there is chance they will mess you around just because they can..

The shipping agents have the contacts to get things done smoothly

Also do you have an import license? Be careful some items you need one. Especially for business.

sent from my Wellcom A90+

Step 1: Find out the customs tariff number

Step 2: check on the customs webpage for the duty.

Step 3: check if it is exempted because of the free trade agreement. In this case you need the Certificate of Origin (called Form E).

Step 4: let the Chinese send you the invoice before shipping and check if everything is correct, specially if the tariff number is on the invoice.

Than let an agent clear it and check what he filled out before he gives it to the customs.

Than it is calculated: product+shipping converted to Thai Baht with an inflated exchange rate is the base for the import duty (yes you pay duty on the shipping).

than: product+shipping+duty is the base to calculate VAT (yes you pay VAT for the shipping and duty).

Than you also pay fees for the customs clearing and some from the seaport (unloading, stock, etc).

As a base for estimate: it will be in the range of 10-15.000 (till it is at your doorstep) if it isn't too big or heavy.

Last thing, approx. 900 kg, was 5000 Baht for the seaport, 1500 for the clearing guy and some fees, pickup rent etc etc so it ended at 12.000.

Thanks for all the help and advice. Does anyone has a clearing agent for me? I need the machine to be delivered to the South too. Many thanks

I mean a recommended agent. Thanks

Sent from my iPhone

Anyone used any agent before? Please recommend

PM sent

You may find that 10% was made up of 7% VAT and 3% duty.

As described above find the exact duty tariff and also check that if the machine is new and from China that its duty excempt.

Dont use Songkhla Port !!!!

Better to come through an agent in BKK, and pay the freight from there....about 10000 baht per tonne, delivered Hatyai

Dont use Songkhla Port !!!!

Better to come through an agent in BKK, and pay the freight from there....about 10000 baht per tonne, delivered Hatyai

Noted. Thanks weegee !

When contacting these clearing agent for their quote services. Should i keep my mouth shut and hide the fact that im a foreigner and let someone else do it? Or it doest matter? Im just afraid that they double charge me if they were to know that im one... " Ooooo a farang, i should triple charge him ! " Foreigners are dumb.. bah bah bah etc.. Ok im just kidding on the last part.

I plan to build a long term business relationship with an clearing agent. Do not like an idea of giving a Thai staff/Missus to handle everything. They come & go. But i am here to stay.

What do u guys think? any experience ?