Hey Bangkokers...

I am in the middle of starting a jewellery business here in Bangkok. I went out to the markets and bought wholesale jewellery. I have now built a web site (not live) I am in the process of exporting the products to ebay and etsy. I am not hoping to make millions but I hope with some good content and SEO I might be able to build a small business on the side of my regular job.

One of the few things I have to do now before launch is to figure out the shipping. I have googled around this subject (not much) and havent come up with much data.

I see these shipping shops in shopping centers. I pass one every day in on nut at the exit onto the BTS. Are they post offices? I stopped in the other day and asked for an international shipping cost chart and she told me she has none. Are these guys my best option for shipping.

The best thing I can think to do is roll up with 3 packages, a small medium and large one. Bring the small one to the desk and ask, how much to ship to the Uk, US, south america, europe, australia, etc.. and then repeat the process on the other two packages. This way I can get a general price to weight ratio on my goods. Is there a better way?

Has anyone had any experience with this. I know there are a good few people doing as I am and they like to not give tips. Any advice I can get would be great.

Do you have a work permit for this as one for another job will not cover it?

Edited August 8, 201312 yr by harrry

Yes, I have a 1 year work permit to work in the computer industry.

Do I need a work permit? I have met a good few people who do it under the table.

Surely you dont need a work permit to use the post office?

Edited August 8, 201312 yr by igor420

Do I need a work permit? I have met a good few people who do it under the table.

Surely you dont need a work permit to use the post office?

It must be under the table. You are buying and exporting goods. If you have a website with a thailand contact, sell on ebay (which thai authorities almost certainly monitor.)or if anyone wants to make trouble they can and the consequences may be severe for you. I do not care but I thought I should make you aware so that you can take that into consideration in your decisions. In this case it is not a matter of needing a work permit to go to the post office but of buying and exporting which is work. Your IT work permit will not cover this.

Edited August 8, 201312 yr by harrry

Do I need a work permit? I have met a good few people who do it under the table.

Surely you dont need a work permit to use the post office?

It must be under the table. You are buying and exporting goods. If you have a website with a thailand contact, sell on ebay (which thai authorities almost certainly monitor.)or if anyone wants to make trouble they can and the consequences may be severe for you. I do not care but I thought I should make you aware so that you can take that into consideration in your decisions. In this case it is not a matter of needing a work permit to go to the post office but of buying and exporting which is work. Your IT work permit will not cover this.

Ok, thanks very much for the info. I will look into the selling permit as I plan to open quite a few exporting companies.

Maybe it is not as much hassle and traveling as the IT visa took.

Thanks again.

Hi if I may help,

Recent posts of mine include UK to Thailand, and couriers, I just checked Interparcel.com, doing it Thailand to UK.

I got quoted 25cm x 25cm x 25 cm not more than 1 Kilo. TNT Express Import was a service that popped up. Pricey!!

I used FedEx in UK to here, all went well. FedEx Thailand Tel: 1782. give them a call.

Parcel monkey UK and various others pop up in Google. Trawl them, online quotes and read the terms. Expensive items etc.

Good luck

Hi if I may help,

Recent posts of mine include UK to Thailand, and couriers, I just checked Interparcel.com, doing it Thailand to UK.

I got quoted 25cm x 25cm x 25 cm not more than 1 Kilo. TNT Express Import was a service that popped up. Pricey!!

I used FedEx in UK to here, all went well. FedEx Thailand Tel: 1782. give them a call.

Parcel monkey UK and various others pop up in Google. Trawl them, online quotes and read the terms. Expensive items etc.

Good luck

Thanks for the info Jack

Hi if I may help,

Recent posts of mine include UK to Thailand, and couriers, I just checked Interparcel.com, doing it Thailand to UK.

I got quoted 25cm x 25cm x 25 cm not more than 1 Kilo. TNT Express Import was a service that popped up. Pricey!!

I used FedEx in UK to here, all went well. FedEx Thailand Tel: 1782. give them a call.

Parcel monkey UK and various others pop up in Google. Trawl them, online quotes and read the terms. Expensive items etc.

Good luck

Thanks for the info Jack

Hey your welcome..

I have had some sound advice on here, all good.

I did however, read the small print on my papers ( my former profession makes me do that always...!), it identified restrictions, prohibited goods etc, I am pretty sure expensive items and jewellery are listed. I was going to have a Tissott Watch sent here, used, mine but decided against it.

HMRC UK may have some additional whims...check them out also.

If in doubt, contact a courier/freight agent in the UK or wherever, and if they have a bonded warehouse, that could be a secure solution.

Ebay describes international selling, if I remember.

As far as work permits etc, others here are better placed, but, a UK based organsation, set up correctly, with all transactions going through the UK may be an option (web site too). Still a little grey area, as business always is.

I just checked with HR and they got in touch with the Visa office and I am legally allowed to export goods under the visa that I have. Good news. I just have to complete some paper work.