Thai Customs for passengers travelling in and out of Thailand.

[mesquite]

The Bangkok Post has just put up an article saying this order is NOT going to be enforced. A new person has taken over, as of Monday, and made a statement on this late last night.

WHEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Can you somehow highlight this information as it appears some are still not getting it.

[neverdie]

UPDATE

Just seen news on the homepage of the newspaper which can not be copied here, just few sentences from there:

"The 10,000 baht duty-free limit on new personal items purchased overseas by incoming air passengers is now being strictly policed, the Customs Department announced on Tuesday.

The Suvarnabhumi Airport Passenger Control Customs Bureau will calculate the value of all personal items - souvenirs, gifts or brandname goods - purchased overseas.If the combined value of those products exceed 10,000 baht, passengers and airline crew will have to pay import duty

Signs announcing enforcement of the limit were placed at the airport, explaining that "personal goods" includes new clothes, shoes, socks and bags in non-commercial form"

According to this, it is all about "new" stuff - clearly showing that they target purchase abroad which might be sold in Thailand (or should have been bought in Thailand...) ... however, only time will show how this will be enacted on "normal" tourist clothes and goods

I. still concerned by this.

So I return and they say my 2yo camera gear is new, but it's not. My 10 year old lenses look new but they're still 10 years old, as is my watch.

they are not interested in your 10 year old camera,, it will not take a lot of investigation to know that the model is 10 years old.

This is to stop the people coming in with lots of expensive items for so called personal sue which is clearly for re sale.

Generally speaking if you are not doing anything wrong you have nothing to worry about. I just came back form a business trip overseas,, i had 2 mobile phones, Macbook, my watch (which I was wearing of course) and some jewelry and had absolutely no problems at all.

All of these items were mine, not for re sale and they obviously knew that. If they started stoping everyone with a camera and laptop for investigation they will need to employ a lot more people to get everyone through customs.

Gazzpa,

The Camera body is only a couple of years old and still currently sold. Some of the lenses are much older but still the current lenses, look online all you like, they can still be bought new. I have receipts for some of them, not all, receipts are actually in Thailand, I a not . lol.

These limits were set three thousand years ago and rarely enforced, now a crack down. The limits need to be re examined and made realistic. It's not 1942 anymore, 10k baht and 80k baht = small money.

[neverdie]

The Bangkok Post has just put up an article saying this order is NOT going to be enforced. A new person has taken over, as of Monday, and made a statement on this late last night.

WHEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now you tell me, I just bought a new plane and the FIL is busy building me an airstrip on the property.

Can we have a link please Mr Moderator !

[mesquite]

UPDATE

Just seen news on the homepage of the newspaper which can not be copied here, just few sentences from there:

"The 10,000 baht duty-free limit on new personal items purchased overseas by incoming air passengers is now being strictly policed, the Customs Department announced on Tuesday.

The Suvarnabhumi Airport Passenger Control Customs Bureau will calculate the value of all personal items - souvenirs, gifts or brandname goods - purchased overseas.If the combined value of those products exceed 10,000 baht, passengers and airline crew will have to pay import duty

Signs announcing enforcement of the limit were placed at the airport, explaining that "personal goods" includes new clothes, shoes, socks and bags in non-commercial form"

According to this, it is all about "new" stuff - clearly showing that they target purchase abroad which might be sold in Thailand (or should have been bought in Thailand...) ... however, only time will show how this will be enacted on "normal" tourist clothes and goods

I. still concerned by this.

So I return and they say my 2yo camera gear is new, but it's not. My 10 year old lenses look new but they're still 10 years old, as is my watch.

they are not interested in your 10 year old camera,, it will not take a lot of investigation to know that the model is 10 years old.

This is to stop the people coming in with lots of expensive items for so called personal sue which is clearly for re sale.

Generally speaking if you are not doing anything wrong you have nothing to worry about. I just came back form a business trip overseas,, i had 2 mobile phones, Macbook, my watch (which I was wearing of course) and some jewelry and had absolutely no problems at all.

All of these items were mine, not for re sale and they obviously knew that. If they started stoping everyone with a camera and laptop for investigation they will need to employ a lot more people to get everyone through customs.

Gazzpa,

The Camera body is only a couple of years old and still currently sold. Some of the lenses are much older but still the current lenses, look online all you like, they can still be bought new. I have receipts for some of them, not all, receipts are actually in Thailand, I a not . lol.

These limits were set three thousand years ago and rarely enforced, now a crack down. The limits need to be re examined and made realistic. It's not 1942 anymore, 10k baht and 80k baht = small money.

Read post 118.

[neverdie]

^ Just did, after posting above.

Thought this might happen, amazing what happens when the people kick up a stink.

Perhaps Craig could close this after posting his link?

[Crossy]

The Bangkok Post has just put up an article saying this order is NOT going to be enforced. A new person has taken over, as of Monday, and made a statement on this late last night.

WHEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now you tell me, I just bought a new plane and the FIL is busy building me an airstrip on the property.

Can we have a link please Mr Moderator !

Come on ND you know no links to BKK Post.

It's in Local News, "No customs clampdown at airports"

[score keeper]

The Bangkok Post has just put up an article saying this order is NOT going to be enforced. A new person has taken over, as of Monday, and made a statement on this late last night.

WHEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

hmpf.. more terraflops than a Chinese super computa

[surinderek]

HOPE this is true its not being enforced.. Arriving in BKK soon nothing more than usual items one carries with me, post the outcome

[Shurup]

Whoever started this stink (not you ND, I mean the Thai official) is a dumb xxxxxx

I could only imagine all the discussions and panic on all the social networks!

Edited July 2, 2014 by Rooo
profanity

[Regyai]

N.B.

Don't pack any bananas

This republic is all stocked up

[TimCM]

Whoever started this stink (not you ND, I mean the Thai official) is a dumb xxxxxx

I could only imagine all the discussions and panic on all the social networks!

I will be passed off as 'farang don't understand thailand'

All those foreigners fault for the problem. Now give me money

Edited July 2, 2014 by Rooo
profanity

[neverdie]

The Bangkok Post has just put up an article saying this order is NOT going to be enforced. A new person has taken over, as of Monday, and made a statement on this late last night.

WHEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now you tell me, I just bought a new plane and the FIL is busy building me an airstrip on the property.

Can we have a link please Mr Moderator !

Come on ND you know no links to BKK Post.

It's in Local News, "No customs clampdown at airports"

Sheish, I was trying to catch young Craig out and u had to step in and show ur wisdom

It's hard work supervising you moderators and despite my numerous requests to George he hasn't yet supplied me with the 'suspension' and 'delete' buttons so I can deal with you all. (I live in hope tho).

Do u reakon it would be a good idea to close this and silly old fools like me won't get confused so easily.

xoxo

regards

neverdie ii

[Evolare]

Yeah this will need clarification this is my first concern since the military took over. 80.000 ok so if I'm not wearing thai copy stuff I basically have to travel without luggage have no watch and not wear anything made in Italy or France or I will bust the budget with at belt and a pair of shoes

[abrahamzvi]

Quite frankly I don't really understand the whole fuss. To start with this customs regulation has been in force for years, albeit it has never been strictly enforced. The second thing I fail to understand is the expressed indignation at the low limit and its "introduction". Most western countries have the same, or similar regulations with even lower, or similar limits. It is another question how these regulations are enforced and put into practice. So before getting that excited let's wait and see. There is a saying in German -Die Suppe wird nie so heiß gegessen wie gekocht; translated into English it says "The soup is never consumed as hot as it is cooked....

This is absolutely pathetic, people COME to Thailand to shop apparently and Thailand is now telling people it cant shop overseas over 10k ???

10,000 bht is about as stupidly low as you can get. It is also inferring its a total combined amount of items not single. That dosnt cover a pair of some good sports trainers and how do they know when or where things were purchased or how old ? apparently thats not an excuse either.

My wedding ring alone is worth x5 the limit and thats just plain gold and so are many of my items I and many others travel with. Laptiop, Phone, Ipod, Ipad, Watch, Jewellery, Camera,scuba gear

If they want high spending tourists then expect high price personal items, unless your a backpacker your almost certainly going to be over the limit.

Many tourists buy new things to take on holiday and the whole point of shopping abroad is to pick up special items on a special price.

has it got to do with Thailand if I buy a top notch camera in Singapore or Phone or even high tagged jewellery or some designer item ? how do they know what I am going to do with them, gift or use personally it is none of their god damn business.

If they were talking about multiple same items like 5 iphones etc clearly for sale or the usual duty free stuff only limit then could understand but this limit on whatever has been purchased abroad as a combined limit of 10k ? ... sheer nuts

This leaves the door wide open to customs screwing a lot of people under the guise of importing over the limit, its up to them to decide is it ? well sorry but do not trust them. 10k is unbelievably low

In all honesty i expect 95% of people arriving in Thailand will have goods over 10k on or in their possession

I forsee one big scam coming on this and I do not like the idea of perpetually over the limit anytime i travel and being open to their interpretation any-time they see fit.

[thaicookingchef]

Why not trying to focus or other real problems of this country ?

Ridiculous them to expect to stop people bringing here what they want without paying any tax <3

[attrayant]

What brings a tourist?

Suitcase hardshell B 10000

Sunglasses 2 pair. B15000

Camera. B15000

Few brand name

Shirts/ shorts. B20.000

Watch(no rolex). B20.000

Jewerly (no much). B80.000

Phone. B25.000

Tablet. B20.000

Cosmetics. B10.000

2 pair shoes. B15.000

Total. B240.000

That tourist is insane. $250 for a pair of sunglasses? $300 in cosmetics? Two thousand six hundred dollars in jewelry? Is he coming here for a Ray-Ban photo shoot with Zsa Zsa Gabor?

[ChickenWing]

Went through Customs around Midnight Late Sunday/Early Monday. Everything seemed normal. Several 747's worth of people walked past the customs officers without even a second glance.

[NanLaew]

The Bangkok Post has just put up an article saying this order is NOT going to be enforced. A new person has taken over, as of Monday, and made a statement on this late last night.

WHEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now you tell me, I just bought a new plane and the FIL is busy building me an airstrip on the property.

Can we have a link please Mr Moderator !

Come on ND you know no links to BKK Post.

It's in Local News, "No customs clampdown at airports"

Sheish, I was trying to catch young Craig out and u had to step in and show ur wisdom

It's hard work supervising you moderators and despite my numerous requests to George he hasn't yet supplied me with the 'suspension' and 'delete' buttons so I can deal with you all. (I live in hope tho).

Do u reakon it would be a good idea to close this and silly old fools like me won't get confused so easily.

xoxo

regards

neverdie ii

No, no! Leave it open. It should be good for at least another couple of pages of bulging blood vessels, righteous indignation, "screw LOS I am off to Cambodia" posts and the justification drivel from TV's very own "We Love the Junta" pom-pom girls.

Edited July 2, 2014 by NanLaew

[wwest5829]

Now we know in some minor way what a drug dealer feels like, illegally trafficking through customs wondering if hes going to get caught... only this way with such a dumb low amount its almost impossible to ever be within the law. I do so love being considered a criminal... not

This may be a story for the UK guardian newspaper to run.

Everyone entering Thailand is now breaking the law including tourists.

ALL including Tourists entering Thailand MUST declare combined goods valuing £200 and pay duty tax. Stiff penalties and fines for those caught breaking the laws which could lead to detention if the combined amount is over £1,500... blah blah blah

End of UK tourism to Thailand...

But the good news is

"UK Tax and Duty Free Allowances 2014

Travellers arriving in Britain from outside the European Union can now benefit from an increase in duty free shopping allowances. UK Duty Free Allowances in detail Goods valued up to £390 can be brought into the country without any duty payable on the purchases from January 1st 2010, including souvenirs, clothing, electrical goods and perfume"

http://www.taxfreetravel.com/UK%20duty%20free%20allowances

BTW how does £390 and UK income levels compare to £185 and Thai income levels?

U.S. allowance for returning citizens of $800.00 for overseas purchases. Don't know about tourists coming in. When my Thai wife (on a Tourist Visa) and I traveled to the U.S. last September, no questions were asked as we passed through stating we had nothing to declare. Ha! Of course, I have an honest face.

[webfact]

UPDATE:

Customs notice removed



BANGKOK: -- The Customs Department has removed a notice put up at the Suvarnabhumi airport's arrival terminal requiring inbound passengers to declare their personal effects for taxation.

The notice caused a big stir and concern for in-bound passengers and was shared widely on the social network with questions ranging from whether it is a tighter customs control to chaos among people bringing personal effects for commercial purposes.

But Mr Somchai Sujjapongse, the new director general of the Customs Department, made clear that the notice which was causing concern among inbound passengers has been removed.

He said the notice was previously put up for outbound passengers but it was only three weeks ago that such notice was also put up at the arrival terminal for inbound passengers.

It was the policy of the former customs chief, he said.

But he said that as the notice has caused concern among the people, he has ordered that it be removed.

He said he believed the notice was just meant to give information to the people and it was not an adoption of new customs regulation on personal effects.

He said customs officials would continue to check inbound passengers on a random basis.

The notice requires inbound passengers to declare all personal effects worth more than 10,000 baht which are brought into the country either for personal use or to be given to others as gifts for taxation.

According to the notice, gifts which were bought for friends, relatives or bosses are not regarded as personal effects and must also be taxed. The same also applies to brand name products such as handbags or wristwatches worth more than 10,000 baht are subjected to taxation.

The new measure was said to be intended to prevent merchants from exploiting the rule regarding personal effects to smuggle brand name and foreign products into the country.

Those who fail to declare the high-priced personal effects while going through customs checkpoints will risk facing heavy fine of up to four times of the price or jail term of up to 10 years if they get caught.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/customs-notice-removed/


-- Thai PBS 2014-07-02

[Naam]

What brings a tourist?

Suitcase hardshell B 10000

Sunglasses 2 pair. B15000

Camera. B15000

Few brand name

Shirts/ shorts. B20.000

Watch(no rolex). B20.000

Jewerly (no much). B80.000

Phone. B25.000

Tablet. B20.000

Cosmetics. B10.000

2 pair shoes. B15.000

Total. B240.000

That tourist is insane. $250 for a pair of sunglasses? $300 in cosmetics? Two thousand six hundred dollars in jewelry? Is he coming here for a Ray-Ban photo shoot with Zsa Zsa Gabor?

insane indeed, but only in the opinion of poor little men

[pinkpanther99]

You've got to admire the long term strategy and thinking of the Customs Dept.

Another well thought out plan.

How long did this last, was it about 24hrs?

You couldn't make it up.

[attrayant]

insane indeed, but only in the opinion of poor little men

No, in my opinion too. Do you really think that's a typical tourist? Seriously, who travels to a wet, dirty country with the intention to wear a $250 pair of shoes? Fool, money, parted.

[kalbo123]

What brings a tourist?

Suitcase hardshell B 10000

Sunglasses 2 pair. B15000

Camera. B15000

Few brand name

Shirts/ shorts. B20.000

Watch(no rolex). B20.000

Jewerly (no much). B80.000

Phone. B25.000

Tablet. B20.000

Cosmetics. B10.000

2 pair shoes. B15.000

Total. B240.000

That tourist is insane. $250 for a pair of sunglasses? $300 in cosmetics? Two thousand six hundred dollars in jewelry? Is he coming here for a Ray-Ban photo shoot with Zsa Zsa Gabor?

No these prices are VERY realistic.

I talk about brand name stuff not fake Chinese junk.

Verzonden vanaf mijn iPhone met behulp van Thaivisa Connect Thailand

[thegreatbw]

What brings a tourist?

Suitcase hardshell B 10000

Sunglasses 2 pair. B15000

Camera. B15000

Few brand name

Shirts/ shorts. B20.000

Watch(no rolex). B20.000

Jewerly (no much). B80.000

Phone. B25.000

Tablet. B20.000

Cosmetics. B10.000

2 pair shoes. B15.000

Total. B240.000

That tourist is insane. $250 for a pair of sunglasses? $300 in cosmetics? Two thousand six hundred dollars in jewelry? Is he coming here for a Ray-Ban photo shoot with Zsa Zsa Gabor?

No these prices are VERY realistic.

I talk about brand name stuff not fake Chinese junk.

Verzonden vanaf mijn iPhone met behulp van Thaivisa Connect Thailand

Maybe a bit exaggerated, but the point is that all western tourists exceed the 10,000 baht limit.

Edited July 2, 2014 by thegreatbw

[attrayant]

No these prices are VERY realistic.

I talk about brand name stuff not fake Chinese junk.

In that case you're not talking about the typical tourist, as your initial post had suggested.

I'd like to see the $250 pair of shoes that you use to go tramping around Ayutthaya.

[RegularReader]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

No these prices are VERY realistic.
I talk about brand name stuff not fake Chinese junk.

In that case you're not talking about the typical tourist, as your initial post had suggested.

I'd like to see the $250 pair of shoes that you use to go tramping around Ayutthaya.

A lot of back packers would be carrying more than that. An iPhone, camera, iPad....much more than THB10k

[TechnikaIII]

Does this limit also apply to a certain female former-PM, and other hi-so Thais, returning from overseas shopping-expeditions ?

Yes, especially when she returns with her brother stuffed in a suit case.

What's the price on his head?

[peterdarby]

No these prices are VERY realistic.

I talk about brand name stuff not fake Chinese junk.

In that case you're not talking about the typical tourist, as your initial post had suggested.

I'd like to see the $250 pair of shoes that you use to go tramping around Ayutthaya.

A pair of Nike Airmax Essential, $296 on Amazon. Very comfortable for a walk in the park.

[PapaNasty]

What brings a tourist?

Suitcase hardshell B 10000

Sunglasses 2 pair. B15000

Camera. B15000

Few brand name

Shirts/ shorts. B20.000

Watch(no rolex). B20.000

Jewerly (no much). B80.000

Phone. B25.000

Tablet. B20.000

Cosmetics. B10.000

2 pair shoes. B15.000

Total. B240.000

That tourist is insane. $250 for a pair of sunglasses? $300 in cosmetics? Two thousand six hundred dollars in jewelry? Is he coming here for a Ray-Ban photo shoot with Zsa Zsa Gabor?

My wife and I would have this much, or more. It's really not difficult to accumulate this much. Our wedding rings would be worth over 80,000 just by themselves, let alone my wife's necklaces/earrings etc. We're not rich (Although not poor either), but 10,000 pounts is a very low point to have to declare things, that's around 200 pounds or $330 US.

I can thus understand why the notice has since been taken down lol, they'd potentially have every "quality" tourist declaring their goods (Or every tourist who didn't being in breach of the law), which would create more work for them than what it was worth.