Shipping Personal Belongings To Thailand

[ranma500]

I applied and received about two months ago, my work permit.

Upon expiry, I went and renewed it. I applied for a one-year extension and was given a month's extension while the one-year extension is under consideration.

On Friday, this month is up, and I must go back again to renew.

I am hoping that they give me the year's extension, but apparently it is entirely possible that I will get another month.

Of course each time I do this, I have to go to both the immigration office and the work permit office, to keep the two in sync.

My problem is that I am going back to the U.K. on Saturday (so of course I must also get a re-entry permit), the main objective being to pack up my household belongings, put them in a container and ship them to Bangkok.

If I have a valid one year work permit, I can import free of duty.

This trip has been booked for a long time, and I really need to clear my belongings.

But my question is:

If I only get a one month extension on Friday of both visa and work permit, is that acceptable for the purpose of bringing in personal possessions free of import duty?

Or do I have to wait yet another month, and postpone my trip?

Thanks.

Paul

[lopburi3]

Nonresidents granted to work in Thailand will be regarded as resuming residents in Thailand provided they have a one-year non-immigrant visa issued by the Immigration Department. In case where the non-immigrant visa has not yet been granted, either of the following documents may be accepted:

(2.1) The letter from the Immigration Department certifying that the nonresidents shall be granted an annual temporary stay in Thailand; or

(2.2) The work permit from the Department of Labor to work in Thailand for at least one year.

[ranma500]

Nonresidents granted to work in Thailand will be regarded as resuming residents in Thailand provided they have a one-year non-immigrant visa issued by the Immigration Department. In case where the non-immigrant visa has not yet been granted, either of the following documents may be accepted:

(2.1) The letter from the Immigration Department certifying that the nonresidents shall be granted an annual temporary stay in Thailand; or

(2.2) The work permit from the Department of Labor to work in Thailand for at least one year.

Thanks.

I'm not sure about 2.2.

I thought that one's work permit is always set to expire the same date as your visa, it would be impossible to have a one-year work permit, but not a one-year visa.

And re. 2.1

Is such a letter available? Surely if the visa extension is under consideration, it would be impossible for the Immigration Department to give such a letter?

[Phil Conners]

You will still be having to pay heavy bakshish before you get your stuff in. TiT.

[Sunbelt Asia]

I'm not sure about 2.2.

I thought that one's work permit is always set to expire the same date as your visa, it would be impossible to have a one-year work permit, but not a one-year visa.

Actually it is possible and odds are ranma500 already qualifies for the duty free shipment. When you get the work permit on the original application, it is for many people for one year ( regardless what type of 90 day visa or 1 year visa you have) This can be found on page 5 of the work permit at the bottom of the page. (if it has a 1 with Thai script you have the 1 year work permit.

The one year work permit is only valid for however long your visa is. Hence you have a 90 day stamp then it has to be extended at the end of the 90 days.

However Customs accepts the 1 year work permit on page 5 of the work permit book to get your items in duty free. Regardless if you have a 90 day visa, 30 day "under consideration" stamp or whatever visa you have. Its only page 5 that is looked at.

www.lawyer.th.com