Import Fees For Purchased Laptop?

[patjk]

Hello,

I am looking to buy a new laptop, and I've been looking around eBay and Amazon. If I buy a laptop, will I have to pay import/custom fees for it when it comes to Thailand? If so, what is the fee? Is there any way to avoid it?

Thanks in advance!

[patjk]

Bump. Any info on orders like this would be much appreciated. Thanks.

[craigt3365]

Let's try this over in the PC forum. Maybe you can get some better help there.

From what I've read, it's kinda hit and miss. Unless you ship with FedEx or DHL. If you do that, you'll probably be guaranteed to be hit with import fees.

Topic Moved.;

[bendejo]

I was shopping for a laptop a few months ago, found that for the most part the local prices don't vary greatly from the foreign vendors' prices quoted online.

[wayned]

I bought a laptop from the US and after reading all ablut DHL and FED EX I had it shipped vis USPS. IT arrived and I got a notice to go to the post office to pick it up. I only had to pay 7%VAT on the declared value, no duty! Guess I was lucky.

[craigt3365]

I was shopping for a laptop a few months ago, found that for the most part the local prices don't vary greatly from the foreign vendors' prices quoted online.

I'm not so sure about that. I've been shopping hard for an ultra book. What I've found is they don't have the latest models here yet. The one I got in the US a few weeks ago is not available here, and if it was, would be around 30% more.

I was amazed at the options and the deals you can get in the US for laptops. If you shop hard and visit the stores. I got mine at Fry's. It was a special they were running for only a few days.

Same was true for the Samsung Galaxy S III and the notebook. Both around 25-30% less in the US when I bought them last month.

[NeverSure]

Laptops

[nima]

7%VAT. As the price of the purchased item is shown on the package they will calculate it and take the amount from you once your package is delivered.

Recently I bought a Nexus from the U.S. and had it shipped here in BKK, I paid 700 baht due to 7%VAT. But the shipping price also includes some taxes too, depends on the method.

It's good to know that below $50 worth items won't be eligible for 7% VAT.

[HardenedSoul]

I'm sure I read somewhere on here that laptops don't attract import duty at all. Just VAT at 7%.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

I was shopping for a laptop a few months ago, found that for the most part the local prices don't vary greatly from the foreign vendors' prices quoted online.

I'm not so sure about that. I've been shopping hard for an ultra book. What I've found is they don't have the latest models here yet. The one I got in the US a few weeks ago is not available here, and if it was, would be around 30% more.

I was amazed at the options and the deals you can get in the US for laptops. If you shop hard and visit the stores. I got mine at Fry's. It was a special they were running for only a few days.

Same was true for the Samsung Galaxy S III and the notebook. Both around 25-30% less in the US when I bought them last month.

I think Craig's general advice above on duty fees and the potential cost savings of shopping in the U.S. are pretty dead on...

Regarding shopping, if you know where to look and take advantage of holiday season sales, you definitely can save a bundle on good technology laptops.

Regarding shipping, you definitely don't want to use any of the couriers like DHL or FedEx unless you want to get hit with a ton of fees, duty and taxes.

USPS Global Priority or Express are far more economical, and usually will draw only a 7% VAT charge added onto your laptop package when you receive the notice to go pick it up at your local Thai Post Office.

If you send via USPS, depending on the package weight, of course, figure perhaps an extra $50 U.S. for shipping/insurance to Thailand. So if you can save that much or more on your retail purchase in the States vs Thailand, then you're doing OK.

The challenge is, different vendors use different shippers if you send thru them directly, and you may not have the best options for shippers offered to you. An alternative is to use a shipping service like Shipito.com, where you have your choice of many different prices and configurations of shipping.

[wayned]

There's a sponsor on TV that I have bought from before. They are reasonable and are in Thailand. Look at their website www.invadeit.co.th.

[MrRed]

If you are getting someone to send it put the value as low as you could possibly get away with example a laptop at around 300 dollars,i have done this and paid 300 baht at the local post office.

I used FEDEX and could use the tracking service online after being sent the number 9 days it took in the end.

[Digitalbanana]

I bought a laptop from the US and after reading all ablut DHL and FED EX I had it shipped vis USPS. IT arrived and I got a notice to go to the post office to pick it up. I only had to pay 7%VAT on the declared value, no duty! Guess I was lucky.

Same here with a Fedex shipment from US for a laptop.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Leaving aside the issue of customs duties and taxes for a moment, I have a 3+ pound box waiting in California for shipping here... About the weight of a laptop...but the box size a bit bigger... See the two screen caps below to get some idea of how the shipping prices vary considerably from carrier to carrier...

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Then as for customs, to start with, unlike USPS and some other carriers, the private carriers like DHL and Fed Ex will always charge your shipments based not just on the retail or declared price, but on the cost PLUS a 1% insurance fee PLUS the cost of shipping (freight). Once they have that combined CIF total, you'll then pay any applicable tax and duty on that inflated amount.

For laptops, the normal result would be a 7 or 10% duty and then 7% VAT charged against the inflated CIF value, rather than your actual purchase price.

I always save my shipping receipts, and I used to use Fed Ex and DHL before I found much better and economical ways of shipping... But here are some of the results from my past receipts:

FedEx

2008

Clothing 20% duty plus 7% VAT

Clothing 30% duty plus 7% VAT

Perfume 20% duty plus 7% VAT

2009

Contact lens 10% duty plus 7% VAT

Perfume 20% duty plus 7% VAT

Music CDs No duty but 7% VAT

2012

Clothing 30% duty plus 7% VAT

(Because of the inflated CIF price, my $40 retail purchase ended up having a $20 duty/tax, apart from the actual shipping cost).

DHL

2008

Eye Glasses and Computer Parts 0% duty but 7% VAT plus a 200 baht "duty handling fee"

2009

Clothing and PC cables 60% duty plus 7% VAT and a 200 baht "duty handling fee"

(With the inflated CIF value, a total retail purchase of $55 ended up having a nearly $70 duty/tax, apart from the actual shipping cost).

By comparison, over the same years, I've probably sent 40 some packages with all variety of contents weighing from 1 to 8 pounds via the Economy Airmail service mentioned in the screen caps above... and never paid any duty or tax... and at most charged a 7 baht handling fee when the Thai Post guy delivers to my door.

[chiangraifalang]

For Amazon you can shopping from the most countries in the world, Thailand included. Amazon charge you for duty an tax. Full information here:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html/ref=hp_468520_intl?nodeId=596184

What about to make a test? You add the laptop to the card an go forward to see what is the amount Amazon will charging you, for send it to Thailand. Is the fee to high, you can cancel before you finished the buying process.

[Chicog]

I'm not sure if it applies if you have it listed as a "refurbished" (i.e. second hand) laptop.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

For Amazon you can shopping from the most countries in the world, Thailand included. Amazon charge you for duty an tax. Full information here:

http://www.amazon.co...l?nodeId=596184

What about to make a test? You add the laptop to the card an go forward to see what is the amount Amazon will charging you, for send it to Thailand. Is the fee to high, you can cancel before you finished the buying process.

Here's what Amazon U.S. says about purchaser liability for duties and taxes on international shipments, where/when they're offered:

Customs, Duties, and Taxes

You are responsible for assuring that the product can be lawfully imported to the destination country. When ordering from Amazon.com, the recipient is the importer of record and must comply with all laws and regulations of the destination country. Orders that are shipped to countries outside of the United States may be subject to import taxes, customs duties and fees levied by the destination country. The recipient of an international shipment may be subject to such import taxes, customs duties and fees, which are levied once a shipment reaches your country. Additional charges for customs clearance must be borne by the recipient; we have no control over these charges and cannot predict what they may be. Customs policies vary widely from country to country; you should contact your local customs office for further information. When customs clearance procedures are required, it can cause delays beyond our original delivery estimates.

Purchases of Kindle may be subject to these import taxes, custom duties and fees. These fees can vary widely from country to country. Please contact your local customs office for further information.

http://www.amazon.co...596184

And as best as I can read it, Amazon will only ship "electronics" items to Thailand via their "priority courier"shipping method, which I'm assuming would be something like FedEx or DHL, and at the shipping-only rate of $29.99 per shipment plus $5.99 per pound for the weight of the shipment. Based on the above info, any Thailand duties and taxes would be extra above and beyond the shipping cost.

But I also see Thailand is on Amazon's list of eligible countries for its Amazon Global program where for some items -- they appear to have a separate storefront for this -- the estimated customs charges are added onto the customer's original Amazon order.

Additionally, some products in the following categories:

• automotive, baby, clothing, consumer electronics, health and personal care, home and garden, industrial and scientific, jewelry, pet supplies, shoes, software, sporting goods, tools, toys, video games, and watches
  

can be shipped to the following countries:

• Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Poland, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Venezuela
  

Visit our AmazonGlobal Program store to browse products that are available for shipping to these destinations.

All products shipped to these countries via Priority International Shipping, and in certain cases product shipped via Standard or Expedited International Shipping, are included in the AmazonGlobal Program and an import fees deposit is collected on them. For further details about this service, read about the AmazonGlobal Program.

What if the actual Import Fees are less than the Import Fees Deposit I was charged?

If the actual Import Fees (paid by carrier on behalf of the recipient to the customs and tax authorities of the destination country) are less than the Import Fees Deposit collected by us on your behalf, you will automatically be refunded the difference to the payment method you used for the order. You will receive a notification e-mail to confirm the amount of the refund. The process takes 60 days from the shipment date.

What if the actual Import Fees are more than the Import Fees Deposit I was charged?

For items sold by Amazon Export Sales, Inc., you will not be charged any additional fees if the actual Import Fees exceed the Import Fees Deposit we estimated. For items sold by Amazon Marketplace sellers, please check the seller's policies.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

FWIW, I just looked through the five notebook PCs listed as the current best sellers on the Amazon website... All five, from various manufacturers, included the following note:

Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.

[patjk]

Thanks guys. I think I will take the risk and see what fees I get hit with. The selection and prices are significantly cheaper outside Thailand for what I'm looking for.

[endure]

If you are getting someone to send it put the value as low as you could possibly get away with example a laptop at around 300 dollars,i have done this and paid 300 baht at the local post office.

I used FEDEX and could use the tracking service online after being sent the number 9 days it took in the end.

You have to be a little careful using a low value. If it goes missing and you're looking for compensation you'll only get the value you declared.

[Tywais]

Just a fore warning and laptops (mobile computers including tablets) are on the 40% duty bracket. If by DHL, UPS or Fedex odds are high you will be hit by that. If USPS Global Express or similar USPS delivery, the odds are much lower. This is based on my personal experience.

[negreanu]

Just a fore warning and laptops (mobile computers including tablets) are on the 40% duty bracket

Are they heck. Computers/laptops are 0% import duty and 7% VAT.

[Digitalbanana]

FWIW, I just looked through the five notebook PCs listed as the current best sellers on the Amazon website... All five, from various manufacturers, included the following note:

Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.

You have to get Amazon to send it to as shipping agent first that does international.

[Digitalbanana]

Just a fore warning and laptops (mobile computers including tablets) are on the 40% duty bracket. If by DHL, UPS or Fedex odds are high you will be hit by that. If USPS Global Express or similar USPS delivery, the odds are much lower. This is based on my personal experience.

Not sure why George would like this? I have used Fedex several times and its always 7% VAT only on a new computer.

[maturebrit]

Hello,

I am looking to buy a new laptop, and I've been looking around eBay and Amazon. If I buy a laptop, will I have to pay import/custom fees for it when it comes to Thailand? If so, what is the fee? Is there any way to avoid it?

Thanks in advance!

tip..... buy one in KL much cheaper.... unpack and hand carry in....i found them 50 pc cheaper in KL... big computer building off Bukit Bintang

Sent from my GT-N7000 using Thaivisa Connect App

[negreanu]

Not sure why George would like this? I have used Fedex several times and its always 7% VAT only on a new computer.

Agreed. Imported 10+ Laptops never paid anything except 7% VAT on the value and shipping charge.

[Tywais]

Just a fore warning and laptops (mobile computers including tablets) are on the 40% duty bracket

Are they heck. Computers/laptops are 0% import duty and 7% VAT.

Re-read my post. 1st, I said the odds are high not 100% one will be hit. 2nd, my personal experience as of a few weeks ago on importing a portable computer via UPS was hit with 40% duty on it. I thought there was an error but verified it on the Thailand customs website and 40% is correct. I am not one to make up numbers. Trust me, I wasn't happy about it either. Also reports from other members getting hit by these numbers are scattered throughout the forum. Those who got by without being hit are the lucky ones.

[Digitalbanana]

Just a fore warning and laptops (mobile computers including tablets) are on the 40% duty bracket

Are they heck. Computers/laptops are 0% import duty and 7% VAT.

Re-read my post. 1st, I said the odds are high not 100% one will be hit. 2nd, my personal experience as of a few weeks ago on importing a portable computer via UPS was hit with 40% duty on it. I thought there was an error but verified it on the Thailand customs website and 40% is correct. I am not one to make up numbers. Trust me, I wasn't happy about it either. Also reports from other members getting hit by these numbers are scattered throughout the forum. Those who got by without being hit are the lucky ones.

I just reread your post and what you said was "Just a fore warning and laptops (mobile computers including tablets) are on the 40% duty bracket. If by DHL, UPS or Fedex odds are high you will be hit by that." hence my reply on Fedex experience to counter you point of view.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

FWIW, I just looked through the five notebook PCs listed as the current best sellers on the Amazon website... All five, from various manufacturers, included the following note:

Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.

You have to get Amazon to send it to as shipping agent first that does international.

Yes, that's correct. But my post above was in response to Chiangraifalang's prior post wherein he suggested doing direct purchase/shipping of laptops via Amazon to international destinations. The point of my comments was to note that laptops often are NOT among the items that Amazon will do direct international shipping for... as you point out in your comment.