Shipping wine as a gift

[Hayden760]

I wanted to see if anyone has had any experience with trying to bring in wine from the US via FedEx? Or any other shipping method for that matter. This would not be for resale. The wine would go straight to the aficionado as a gift; and if that's the case, would I still have to pay a 380% tax?

[tom21]

yes you would still have to pay import duty

[Langsuan Man]

No, FEDEX will not even accept them for shipment, unless you are a licensed wholesaler:

Prohibited or Restricted Articles

Effective Date January 5, 2015


Item 780

Rule

Prohibited or Restricted Articles

1. Alcoholic Beverages
   Only licensed entities may ship alcohol of any type with FedEx. For more information, go to fedex.com/us/wine. Consumers may not ship alcohol.
   1. Licensee to Licensee. FedEx will accept alcohol shipments (beer, wine and spirits) when both the shipper and recipient are either licensed wholesalers, licensed dealers, licensed distributors, licensed manufacturers or licensed importers, subject to additional requirements and all applicable laws and regulations. Contact your FedEx account executive for complete details.
   2. Licensee to Consumer. FedEx will accept wine shipments from licensed entities directly to consumers, subject to additional requirements and all applicable laws and regulations. Contact your FedEx account executive for complete details. Shipments of beer or spirits to consumers are prohibited.

source: http://www.fedex.com/us/freight/rulestariff/prohibited_articles.html

[Fiddlesticks]

yes you would still have to pay import duty

No, FEDEX will not even accept them for shipment, unless you are a licensed wholesaler:

So, does that answer your question? One good thing about asking questions on TV, you will always get the right answer (and the wrong ones too).

[kurnell]

I bought in 160 cases of wine and wasn't taxed.

[Hayden760]

Fedex says that you can ship specifically wine, unlicensed, as long as it's no more than 10 liters and not for resale.

A case of wine (12 bottles) is typically 9L total. The caliber of wine that we're talking about in certain countries, and I'm not being funny when I say this, is viewed as art. It's not some $10 drinking wine. It's for tasting and studying.

[Hayden760]

Here's what fedex has to say:

http://www.fedex.com/international/pdf/International_Wine_Shipping_Guide_v_3_2.pdf

[topt]

Here's what fedex has to say:

http://www.fedex.com/international/pdf/International_Wine_Shipping_Guide_v_3_2.pdf

Unfortunately this does not mean you will not be taxed when it arrives - you may be lucky but...........

[Rooo]

Demeaning / crass post &reply quoting it removed.

[Lorithai]

Taxes will still apply, but I'd be more worried about getting the wine intact after shipping it so far.

[Hayden760]

How many of you have actually received wine in Thailand and been taxed on it?

[A1Str8]

Why not send the person the money and tell which wine to buy? Easier.

[h90]

For importing wine a license is needed. I recall postings from someone who took some wine in the airplane and tried to declare it which didn't work.

[GrantSmith]

Using FedEx you will more than likely be required to pay the "appropriate" taxes on the wine. If it's just 1 bottle send it via USPS and use the regular mail option (not EMS or any form of expediated postage offered by USPS) this will lower the likelihood that it will be taxed.

If it's 12 bottles, be prepared for it to be picked up for taxation regardlesss of you sending it via USPS or FedEx/UPS/DHL. You're looking at around 45,000 Baht straight off the bat but word on the soi is that this can be negotiated significantly.

Contacts within the US Embassy would also be handy in this instance...

[Aussieroaming]

I bought in 160 cases of wine and wasn't taxed.

Really?