Import my sewing machine.

[inlove39]

Hello,

I hope someone can help me.

I'm a student and I will study in Thailand for a whole year. I have the Non-Immigrant Visa ED-M.

I want to take my sewing machine with me to Thailand. ( I'm a student so I don't have a huge amount of money to buy a brand new one)

Is it allowed to import my sewing machine?

Because of my visa (http://www.customs.go.th/) I think I have to pay duty/taxes for my sewing machine. How much does it cost?

Thank you very much.

[bkkcanuck8]

I brought in a Mac Pro computer fully loaded while on a the same visa (and 2000 DVDs). I was questioned about it - they just wanted to make sure that it was used (forget the timeframe they asked - I think they asked if it was older than n).

More eye rolling about the 2000 DVDs (more questions). Just lucky I did not move to Singapore with them..... it would have cost me $10K.

[wayned]

This website says 20% duty and 7% VAT. http://www.dutycalculator.com/dc/174509/home-garden/crafts/sewing-machines/import-duty-rate-for-importing-sewing-machine-from-united-states-to-united-kingdom-is-9.7/.

If you bring it as luggage you might be able to get it through without anything but it's a crap shoot.

[bkkcanuck8]

This website says 20% duty and 7% VAT. http://www.dutycalculator.com/dc/174509/home-garden/crafts/sewing-machines/import-duty-rate-for-importing-sewing-machine-from-united-states-to-united-kingdom-is-9.7/.

If you bring it as luggage you might be able to get it through without anything but it's a crap shoot.

I don't know the rules of Thailand, but with most countries when you are moving from inside -- household goods (owned for at least 6 months or a year) are not subject to import duties.

[inlove39]

Thank you for your reply bkkcanuck!. 2000 DVDs. wow. It has to be funny for them to check them all I think they will ask me too. it could look like that I want to work. I don't want to come in trouble or have to pay $10K because than I'm in trouble:)

@wayned: thank you! I would like to take "her" in my luggage. 20% duty & 7% VAT are ok. But I don't have the bill anymore.

[bkkcanuck8]

You did not say where you're from, you just have to be aware that if the electrical standards are different you might have to get a transformer for it. The electrical standard here is 230/240v.

[inlove39]

Oh that's ok, It's the same electrical standard as in my home country but unfortunately, I read that you have to pay duties for your private "households effects/goods" in Thailand with the Non-Immigrant Visa ED.

hmm. Where do I have to pay the tax and duty? As soon as I arrive in Bangkok? sorry

[bkkcanuck8]

At the airport on exit they have two lines - (nothing to declare, and a declaration line - fairly close together). Most times if you are a normal tourist with average amount of luggage they will not check on exit if you walk through the "nothing to declare line" - but sometimes they do. When I came in with two new graphics cards, I just went through the declare line and they assessed the duties (took a little bit) -- I consider it insurance because I don't want to get caught offside. I have gone through the nothing to declare line with 3 bottles of scotch (1 is the limit) - even when they checked they just ignored it. I think they were more focused on drugs than minor stuff like that by foreigners.

[inlove39]

Ok good to know, Thank you very much for your kind reply! I think it is better for me to walk through the "declare line". But I will have slept on it for a night and think about it. Thank you again.

[bkkcanuck8]

Where did you see information specific to the ED visa? I went to the website (below) and I could not see anything specific to visa types....

http://www.customs.go.th/wps/wcm/connect/custen/individuals/importing+used+or+secondhand+household+effects/importingusedsecondhandhouseholdeffects+

[bkkcanuck8]

NOTE: I did the graphics cards because I was already residing here, I just was visiting my sister nearby and picked them up at the embassy.

[inlove39]

In the first sentences. You only have to pay nothing for your household goods if you are a "Returning Thai residents who have been abroad for one year or longer" or "nonresidents changing their residence to Thailand " All other have to pay for their "household effects" . But correct me if I am wrong.

[bkkcanuck8]

In the first sentences. You only have to pay nothing for your household goods if you are a "Returning Thai residents who have been abroad for one year or longer" or "nonresidents changing their residence to Thailand " All other have to pay for their "household effects" . But correct me if I am wrong.

I am not a lawyer, but I simply interpreted as you being a nonresident moving here to live (reside) - which you are doing for a year. If you had a tourist visa, they would assume that you were bringing it in to sell or gift. Probably won't know their interpretation until you arrive

[inlove39]

Yeah that's right. I will stay for a year with the ED Visa, but I must leave the country every 3Month! to get the visa extension for the next 3 Month. Hopefully they treat me like a thai resident but I don't think so.

[ubonjoe]

Only Thai citizens and those that have work permits get duty free for their household goods.

Just pack your sewing machine in a large suit case and bring it with you. You more than likely will not be charged anything because you are bringing it in for your personal use.

[saakura]

I suggest just bring it with you in a suitcase, go through the red line and explain it to the officer that you are a student and this is your hobby. They are quite understanding and polite. You should not have a problem.

[zeichen]

If you calculate the weight of the machine and the fact that you have to bring less of other things that you might actually need, buying might be an option even on a limited budget. Unless you want a over complicated machine, you can easily get a decent machine here for less than 8k baht. If your machine is damaged or stolen, then you are out of luck. If it breaks down is it a model that can easily be fixed?

Are you studying textiles here?

Double check the power because it isn't only the wattage that is different it is the cycles. I know that I need a step up step down converter which cost about 2k baht.

I do think that UK an Aus have the same electrical currents but be certain you don't want to fry your machine.

If the machine is old, you shouldn't have a problem paying duty but you never know.

Good luck. I got nailed with my Chef's Knives and had to pay a bundle.

[bkkcanuck8]

If you calculate the weight of the machine and the fact that you have to bring less of other things that you might actually need, buying might be an option even on a limited budget. Unless you want a over complicated machine, you can easily get a decent machine here for less than 8k baht. If your machine is damaged or stolen, then you are out of luck. If it breaks down is it a model that can easily be fixed?

Are you studying textiles here?

Double check the power because it isn't only the wattage that is different it is the cycles. I know that I need a step up step down converter which cost about 2k baht.

I do think that UK an Aus have the same electrical currents but be certain you don't want to fry your machine.

If the machine is old, you shouldn't have a problem paying duty but you never know.

Good luck. I got nailed with my Chef's Knives and had to pay a bundle.

You could always get a peddle powered ones - I see them all over the place (street level does not have electricity for clothing repair specialists ).

Yeah, I would have been badly hurt if I had to pay taxes on my japanese knives - the original purchase price on those probably several grand.

[inlove39]

Thank you all! Thank you for sharing your experience with me! As saakura suggest I think I will take my sewing machine in a suitcase and going through the red line to talk with the officer. If I have to pay something - ok. It's not a very "expensive" machine. Only for my hobby. I don't want to get caught behind the green line. I'm afraid of that. I think to talk with the officer is a good idea. Hopefully.

To buy a new one is an option but I love "her"

Thank you!

[sirocco]

I brought back my machine of France, but it was during a move.

No problem for me from be used the machine, never grilled, but why not buy one in Thailand and resell to your departure to a students or instructor ???

[inlove39]

thank you sirocco! At first I'm a student and my amount of money is limited. I would like to save my money where it's possible. I already have a sewing machine so why buy a new one. Of course I have to buy a new one when my machine is damaged by the flight pay tax/duty for a damaged machine and then I have to buy a new one How funny.

[zeichen]

I really wouldn't go through the declare line. You really don't have anything to declare. You are on importing items for sale. You are not importing items for business. You will only cause yourself more grief going through that line.

Do not make crafty things to sell. Making gifts or for self is fine.

I think Sirocco was stating that you can always resell any electronics you buy here for usually 70-80% of original value. So in all actuality you would be saving money than if you brought yours over. The 3-4 kilos and large amount of space it would take up.