Customs – Buddha Statue

[thailandbeachisland]

Ship what you want and just pay if they check ! But if you pay first they won't check anything !

[Diddl]

Ship what you want and just pay if they check ! But if you pay first they won't check anything !

It is not a question of paying or not paying, it is a question of prohibited goods without permission to import, which means that the statue could be confiscated. I don't want to part with this statue, it took me years to find it and I found it in India. Also, it was blessed so, for me, it is not just an ornament.

[wym]

So ignore the people telling you to just bring it in on the QT, even though they're right it's a slim chance there would be any problem you don't want to take a chance.

If you have time contact the relevant department as outlined above and request permission to import given the details as outlined above.

Keep those records and you should have no problem when it comes time to export.

[dighambara]

First - You are shipping coal to Newcastle - statues of Buddha are everywhere - shipping in one seems a bit odd...

You said 'SHIPPING", so I resume the statue is in a box and being sent separately. Customs will not investigate unless the value exceeds $33 (1000 Baht), so if you ship a 'Statue, Value $25' no one will notice. If you describe it as 'Buddhist Statue blessed by a competing style of Buddhism, value $500' then customs will give it a look.

[Diddl]

First - You are shipping coal to Newcastle - statues of Buddha are everywhere - shipping in one seems a bit odd...

You said 'SHIPPING", so I resume the statue is in a box and being sent separately. Customs will not investigate unless the value exceeds $33 (1000 Baht), so if you ship a 'Statue, Value $25' no one will notice. If you describe it as 'Buddhist Statue blessed by a competing style of Buddhism, value $500' then customs will give it a look.

I hardly think I am shipping coals to Newcastle when the statue is Indian! Also, you obviously do not know anything about the different Buddha statues.

What you presume is totally invalid as it is not a question of value, it is a question of prohibited goods.

[F4UCorsair]

First - You are shipping coal to Newcastle - statues of Buddha are everywhere - shipping in one seems a bit odd...

You said 'SHIPPING", so I resume the statue is in a box and being sent separately. Customs will not investigate unless the value exceeds $33 (1000 Baht), so if you ship a 'Statue, Value $25' no one will notice. If you describe it as 'Buddhist Statue blessed by a competing style of Buddhism, value $500' then customs will give it a look.

I hardly think I am shipping coals to Newcastle when the statue is Indian! Also, you obviously do not know anything about the different Buddha statues.

What you presume is totally invalid as it is not a question of value, it is a question of prohibited goods.

Diddi, I think you're getting yourself in a lather over nothing. It's of small financial value, even if huge sentimental/spiritual value to you, and it's of Indian origin.

The only restrictions I'm aware of are on genuine antiquities, i.e., genuine antique Buddha images, being EXPORTED. This ticks none of the boxes. It's not a genuine antique, it's not of Thai origin, and it's being imported, not exported.

Relax, pack it in with your other things, and stop worrying.