How To Avoid Double Customs/duty? Returning A Defective Item To Usa

[yougivemebaby]

My sister sent me a food saver from the US and it is defective. I am waiting to return it to see what procedures I need to do (if any) to it so I won't need to pay customs on it again! I already paid (a ton) of customs on it. I have the paperwork showing I paid it. If at all possible, I would like some kind of form or declaration I can include with the next item she sends to avoid paying customs/duty on it a 2nd time. (to replace or repair). Do I write exempt (or no value) on the value of contents?

I have tried researching it on here but can't find any specifics on how to return it and how to avoid customs again. I saw several products on the Thai customs that I won't need to pay for it, I just don't know the procedure.

[NanLaew]

I don't think there is any way that you can expect a tax break (waiver on import duty) on anything that is being sent as a replacement for the defective unit. I would also consider that sending a domestic appliance back to the US for warranty repair and/or replacement will be all at your cost.

What is a 'food saver' anyway? If it is an electrical appliance, I am sure that you used some form of transformer to reduce the Thai 240V AC to the 110V AC that the device required. By the same token, some US domestic appliances will fail even if the input voltage is correct, if connected via a transformer which is the most common method of input voltage reduction. Also note that most US appliances are built for 110V AC and 60Hz power. Anything with an inductive load (motor or compressor), will probably fail after a period of time despite the voltage being reduced as the Thai AC voltage frequency is 50Hz.

[yougivemebaby]

I don't think there is any way that you can expect a tax break (waiver on import duty) on anything that is being sent as a replacement for the defective unit. I would also consider that sending a domestic appliance back to the US for warranty repair and/or replacement will be all at your cost.

What is a 'food saver' anyway? If it is an electrical appliance, I am sure that you used some form of transformer to reduce the Thai 240V AC to the 110V AC that the device required. By the same token, some US domestic appliances will fail even if the input voltage is correct, if connected via a transformer which is the most common method of input voltage reduction. Also note that most US appliances are built for 110V AC and 60Hz power. Anything with an inductive load (motor or compressor), will probably fail after a period of time despite the voltage being reduced as the Thai AC voltage frequency is 50Hz.

Yeah I guess I should just send it back and look for a Thai type version. Thanks for the eye opener. A food saver is a vacuum sealer. I think one of the best on the market. But it's due to their patented bags. I love cheese and meats like peperoni. When it's opened I need to use it fast or it will go bad. So I vacuum seal it (or I was) but someone unplugged it from the transformer and into the wall. I didn't notice until I heard a POP. and there it is. Worthless. I wonder if I could just rebuild it with Thai parts. Hmmm doesn't seem too impossible to do a simple set up.

[scorecard]

I don't think there is any way that you can expect a tax break (waiver on import duty) on anything that is being sent as a replacement for the defective unit. I would also consider that sending a domestic appliance back to the US for warranty repair and/or replacement will be all at your cost.

What is a 'food saver' anyway? If it is an electrical appliance, I am sure that you used some form of transformer to reduce the Thai 240V AC to the 110V AC that the device required. By the same token, some US domestic appliances will fail even if the input voltage is correct, if connected via a transformer which is the most common method of input voltage reduction. Also note that most US appliances are built for 110V AC and 60Hz power. Anything with an inductive load (motor or compressor), will probably fail after a period of time despite the voltage being reduced as the Thai AC voltage frequency is 50Hz.

Yeah I guess I should just send it back and look for a Thai type version. Thanks for the eye opener. A food saver is a vacuum sealer. I think one of the best on the market. But it's due to their patented bags. I love cheese and meats like peperoni. When it's opened I need to use it fast or it will go bad. So I vacuum seal it (or I was) but someone unplugged it from the transformer and into the wall. I didn't notice until I heard a POP. and there it is. Worthless. I wonder if I could just rebuild it with Thai parts. Hmmm doesn't seem too impossible to do a simple set up.

So now you reveal that it was damaged / exploded, whatever in your house because it was plugged into a higher voltage, and not because it was actually a faulty product when it delivered to you.

Do you seriously expect that customs, in any country, would / should give you a tax exemption on this scenario?

[NanLaew]

I don't think there is any way that you can expect a tax break (waiver on import duty) on anything that is being sent as a replacement for the defective unit. I would also consider that sending a domestic appliance back to the US for warranty repair and/or replacement will be all at your cost.

What is a 'food saver' anyway? If it is an electrical appliance, I am sure that you used some form of transformer to reduce the Thai 240V AC to the 110V AC that the device required. By the same token, some US domestic appliances will fail even if the input voltage is correct, if connected via a transformer which is the most common method of input voltage reduction. Also note that most US appliances are built for 110V AC and 60Hz power. Anything with an inductive load (motor or compressor), will probably fail after a period of time despite the voltage being reduced as the Thai AC voltage frequency is 50Hz.

Yeah I guess I should just send it back and look for a Thai type version. Thanks for the eye opener. A food saver is a vacuum sealer. I think one of the best on the market. But it's due to their patented bags. I love cheese and meats like peperoni. When it's opened I need to use it fast or it will go bad. So I vacuum seal it (or I was) but someone unplugged it from the transformer and into the wall. I didn't notice until I heard a POP. and there it is. Worthless. I wonder if I could just rebuild it with Thai parts. Hmmm doesn't seem too impossible to do a simple set up.

It could possibly be repaired in LOS. Find your local TV and appliance repair guy and see what he can do.

If you post the make and model number and I find enough info on the 'net, I could give a good guess if this is possible.

To be honest, vacuum sealers are available in LOS but usually for commercial use. I assume yours may be one of the $49.99 buy one get one free deals from the Shopping Channel.

[forumuser10]

I don't think there is any way that you can expect a tax break (waiver on import duty) on anything that is being sent as a replacement for the defective unit. I would also consider that sending a domestic appliance back to the US for warranty repair and/or replacement will be all at your cost.

What is a 'food saver' anyway? If it is an electrical appliance, I am sure that you used some form of transformer to reduce the Thai 240V AC to the 110V AC that the device required. By the same token, some US domestic appliances will fail even if the input voltage is correct, if connected via a transformer which is the most common method of input voltage reduction. Also note that most US appliances are built for 110V AC and 60Hz power. Anything with an inductive load (motor or compressor), will probably fail after a period of time despite the voltage being reduced as the Thai AC voltage frequency is 50Hz.

Yeah I guess I should just send it back and look for a Thai type version. Thanks for the eye opener. A food saver is a vacuum sealer. I think one of the best on the market. But it's due to their patented bags. I love cheese and meats like peperoni. When it's opened I need to use it fast or it will go bad. So I vacuum seal it (or I was) but someone unplugged it from the transformer and into the wall. I didn't notice until I heard a POP. and there it is. Worthless. I wonder if I could just rebuild it with Thai parts. Hmmm doesn't seem too impossible to do a simple set up.

So now you reveal that it was damaged / exploded, whatever in your house because it was plugged into a higher voltage, and not because it was actually a faulty product when it delivered to you.

Do you seriously expect that customs, in any country, would / should give you a tax exemption on this scenario?

If he paid for it, and then send it away for getting it repaired, and then getting it back, yes, I would also prefer to not pay tax again. I think the question is valid.

[DiNiro]

Makro stocks a vacuum sealer I noticed.

[HardenedSoul]

Bit of a late response but thought I'd offer some further insight after some enquiries about a warranty claim on an IP camera which has to be returned to the US.

I'm told that you can get a "reimportation formality" form from Don Muaeng which, apparently, notes the serial number of the item and, provided the numbers tally when you collect it from the post office or Fedex/UPS etc deliver it, you simply present the document and you don't have to pay duty.

Info came from Customs officer on the hotline on 1164 but give 'em a bell to confirm.

[GBK]

As your warranty is already void, why not open it up and look for the inline fuse? It may well be replaceable.

If you do, have some tissue to hand, as there will likely be some brown juice splattered around the location of the blown fuse.

You have nothing to lose really.

[seajae]

I don't think there is any way that you can expect a tax break (waiver on import duty) on anything that is being sent as a replacement for the defective unit. I would also consider that sending a domestic appliance back to the US for warranty repair and/or replacement will be all at your cost.

What is a 'food saver' anyway? If it is an electrical appliance, I am sure that you used some form of transformer to reduce the Thai 240V AC to the 110V AC that the device required. By the same token, some US domestic appliances will fail even if the input voltage is correct, if connected via a transformer which is the most common method of input voltage reduction. Also note that most US appliances are built for 110V AC and 60Hz power. Anything with an inductive load (motor or compressor), will probably fail after a period of time despite the voltage being reduced as the Thai AC voltage frequency is 50Hz.

Yeah I guess I should just send it back and look for a Thai type version. Thanks for the eye opener. A food saver is a vacuum sealer. I think one of the best on the market. But it's due to their patented bags. I love cheese and meats like peperoni. When it's opened I need to use it fast or it will go bad. So I vacuum seal it (or I was) but someone unplugged it from the transformer and into the wall. I didn't notice until I heard a POP. and there it is. Worthless. I wonder if I could just rebuild it with Thai parts. Hmmm doesn't seem too impossible to do a simple set up.

if you heard a pop it may well have just been a fuse and easily repairable. Quite often you can get repair info online for items so it might pay to try to see if it is available online or at least get an idea about it then take it to a local repair shop.

[peterb17]

Think it would be much more sensible ( and easier ) to source a Thai model.

I can't quite get my head around the exact purpose of this gadget. A bit of cling film / foil and a cold fridge would surely do the job?

[wym]

Definitely worth the money for those freezing bulk-purchased meats fish etc, can freeze a LOT longer and eliminates freezer burn.

Does slow down spoiling in the fridge as well.

[BudRight]

Find out what stupid <deleted> plugged in the wall and have them buy you a new one.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Bit of a late response but thought I'd offer some further insight after some enquiries about a warranty claim on an IP camera which has to be returned to the US.

I'm told that you can get a "reimportation formality" form from Don Muaeng which, apparently, notes the serial number of the item and, provided the numbers tally when you collect it from the post office or Fedex/UPS etc deliver it, you simply present the document and you don't have to pay duty.

Info came from Customs officer on the hotline on 1164 but give 'em a bell to confirm.

You seem to be talking about a scenario where an item shipped here is then returned to the U.S., and then repaired and shipped back here. In that scenario, the serial numbers would be the same.

But for warranty claims on a lot of these kinds of small electronics things, the warranty service ends up sending a different unit as a replacement, which means the serial number would be different also. That wouldn't seem to work in your example.

I've had to deal with this a couple of times for some light weight, low-cost shipping items. I was ending up with a different replacement unit, and so simply wrote that on the customs declaration for the replacement -- something like, replacement for previously dutied ......

I didn't get charged duty a second time, but that was going thru ThaiPost, I believe. If it had been FedEx or DHL handling the shipping from the U.S., I'm sure they would have reamed me regardless.

[wym]

yes regular post, packed as if secondhand with some old clothes etc, docs sent separately - is the only way to go

[wayned]

Take it to a TV/appliance repair shop and if it had any kind of input protection they most likely can fix it. If not, trash it and buy one here that works on 220vac. Food Saver does make 220vac models but would most likely have to be mail ordered from the UK. Google them and select UK.

[NeverSure]

Think it would be much more sensible ( and easier ) to source a Thai model.

I can't quite get my head around the exact purpose of this gadget. A bit of cling film / foil and a cold fridge would surely do the job?

They first suck all of the air (oxygen) out of not only the bag but also out of the food. In the absence of oxygen, things don't spoil. Then while under strong vacuum, they heat seal the bag. Food will last much, much longer that way and is immune from freezer burn.

[wym]

In the absence of oxygen, things don't spoil.

Pretty dangerous misconception that. Anaerobic decomposition isn't affected at all.

One thing to watch out for is that the anaerobic is less obvious than the aerobic effects.

Also doesn't completely stop even the aerobic bugs because obviously some oxygen left.

But yes it does eliminate the freezer burn, lets you freeze things MUCH longer, and also pretty good for extending refrigerated stuff.

[Soutpeel]

The answer is easy if you legally imported it and have the paperwork to prove import duties were paid, then you can send it back for repair and not pay any further duties, when it comes back, if you didn't pay import duties or haven't got the paper work, you will be paying again

[yougivemebaby]

I was living in the boonies of isaan when I used it. I love cheese and salami so buying large quantities was a must as I was three hours away from a Makro or central. The cheese saves nicely with a vacuum sealer for months. As does the pepperoni or salami. Works great on steaks or any other kind of meats. Meats and cheese seem to be much more expensive so using one of these is a real money saver. . Can also use to protect documents or even your passport.

Lucky my cousin ended up coming here and taking it back with him problem solved!

I did find a great one at Makro as someone else mentioned. But they are not at all of them. Specifically Pattaya Makro has the best one I have seen. I prefer the Brand food saver bags and had a bunch of rolls sent out to me.