I am planning to move to Bangkok for a couple of years but had some trouble finding accurate info on taking some of my belongings with me.

Mostly, I would like to send my desktop computer and printer, and nothing that is prohibited.

My questions are:

Do they hassle with duties and charges? I heard taxes can be avoided if you move to live in Thailand, is this true?

Is the postage system reliable in Bangkok? Do they have FedEx?

If anyone had a similar experience, can they give me some pointers, what to do and what not to do?

I would be very grateful, thank you!

If you fly in, and carry those items with you, you'll be fine. If you ship them, plan on a rather large fee from the customs department. IMHO, not worth bringing the printer. And unless the desktop is a super dooper unit, I'd get one here when you arrive. FedEx will have to report the shipment to customs and you'll get tagged with a rather large bill.

If you have a one year visa or extension of stay you are allowed to import household items duty free.

Can you provide more information on what visa you are planning to stay on.

Large electronic items like TV's can cause customs duty and computers are also an issue. We carried two laptops in our hand luggage and had no problems. Only the TV and some wine caused extra cost when they were shipped. We declared tha total value of the shipment and the shipper provided a list of items to customs.

You can't ship 'hazardous' items like cleaning chemicals and acid batteries and medicines need to be carried with you.

If you're arranging a shipping company - I would avoid Crown Relocation - I've used them 3 times (company moves - no choice) and there very poor all three times with long delays, mould and mildew problems, large scale damage and no help with insurance claims to the point of being obstructive.

Couriers like FedEx are good, but costly for heavy items and you'll still need to declare the contents and pay duty.

To be honest - I would not ship too much if I move again, as the rented condos and apartments are normally fully furnished with TV's etc and you don't need much in the way of clothes as it's never cold. Just bring shoes if you have over size 10/44 feet! And bring some cheese - it costs more than gold in Thailand.

Google: retire ship personal belongings site:thaivisa.com

example: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/559207-1-year-visa-needed-to-ship-household-goods-to-thai-visa-extentions/

If you have a one year visa or extension of stay you are allowed to import household items duty free.

Can you provide more information on what visa you are planning to stay on.

Generally not true, you can only import household items duty free if you move here to work.

Sophon

If you have a one year visa or extension of stay you are allowed to import household items duty free.

Can you provide more information on what visa you are planning to stay on.

I had a one year visa, used DHL, and was made to pay.

http://www.thaivisa.com/340-0.html

I thought there was a one-time exemption for retirees, but I cannot find anything about that in my searches.

Take a look at the Thai Customs site, some answers about household goods there.

http://www.customs.go.th/wps/wcm/connect/custen/individuals/importing+used+or+secondhand+household+effects/importingusedsecondhandhouseholdeffects

http://www.thaivisa.com/340-0.html

I thought there was a one-time exemption for retirees, but I cannot find anything about that in my searches.

There is a one time exemption for Thais returning from an overseas assignment. As previously stated there are provisions for those who relocate here and obtain a work permit

My advice to the OP, is leave it home and buy here as a previous poster stated

If you have a one year visa or extension of stay you are allowed to import household items duty free.

Can you provide more information on what visa you are planning to stay on.

Source for that statement please since it is totally incorrect

US is 110,while Thailand is 220 electric wise, so you'll need a power coverter or a step up step down for that desktop and printer most likely.

If you have a one year visa or extension of stay you are allowed to import household items duty free.

Can you provide more information on what visa you are planning to stay on.

Source for that statement please since it is totally incorrect

One year visa or extension of stay based on employment allows for import of household goods.

Also holders of non-D and non-Ex.

That's why it's important that the OP can tell us how he's planing to live here.

http://www.customs.go.th/wps/wcm/connect/custen/individuals/importing+used+or+secondhand+household+effects/importingusedsecondhandhouseholdeffects

http://www.customs.go.th/wps/wcm/connect/custen/individuals/importing+privileged+goods/importingprivilegedgoods

Thank you all for the comments, they have given me more insight.

I do plan on getting a working visa, but since I cannot receive it without an actual job out there, which I do not have set up for me, I decided to apply for opening my own small business.

My friend who is traveling with me has also suggested that we look online for even a temporary job (if possible) that we can hold there, until we are able to receive our working permits and are able to open up our business.

The thing is, I am not sure if I must be first physically in Thailand to open up a business there, or if it can be done through forms and proper paperwork from overseas. Same with the working visas since once I

leave the country, I would not have anyone to ship me these items. I would have to set up a time-frame or schedule with my postage company in consideration of the time it takes to applying and being approved

for a small business vs. somehow obtaining a job in Thailand and obtaining a working visa. (which seem to be the only two options at the moment)

The reason I go through all this trouble is because my computer and printer are indeed quite expensive, and are very crucial for my work.

Sorry if this was a bit long winded, as I figure out a bit more about the rules and regulations, more questions seem to pop up. Once again I appreciate all the helpful feedback.

Thank You,

Jay