Hi I crashed my computer but luckily I had a recovery drive on a USB .so I thought .Dhl has informed me that I must pay 300 % duty on the estimated value of the drive .That to get my drive free might have to have a work permit proof of purchase etc .any ideas?

You crashed your computer. What does that mean, exactly? You suspect your hard disk failed? Did you prove that? It could be the controller on the motherboard or the driver. How do you know what's wrong?

If you have the recovery "image" on a USB stick, why don't buy a new HDD in Thailand and boot from the USB? Is the recovery drive a complete image of your original computer, like the one I got from Toshiba for my laptop? What does "recovery drive" mean in your own words? You make a recovery drive to restore from an image so I'm not sure what you mean.

Sadly too late for our OP, but never send anything other than documents via DHL, FedEx or any of the courier services, you'll get stung for duty, VAT, storage and 'miscellaneous charges'. Never been asked for more than my passport mind.

Dave, ask DHL for a detailed invoice of the charges and get them to return to sender if too much. Then get it shipped by regular post, one of the registered services will give you tracking for a little extra peace of mind.

Lucky you, USB drives are cheap unless you have the real high end version in the TB size range.

Cheap drive = cheap tax.

Pay your import fee and be done with it.

You crashed your computer. What does that mean, exactly? You suspect your hard disk failed? Did you prove that? It could be the controller on the motherboard or the driver. How do you know what's wrong?

If you have the recovery "image" on a USB stick, why don't buy a new HDD in Thailand and boot from the USB? Is the recovery drive a complete image of your original computer, like the one I got from Toshiba for my laptop? What does "recovery drive" mean in your own words? You make a recovery drive to restore from an image so I'm not sure what you mean.

Hi crashed ie os failed and disappeared.Usb contained OS to boot the laptop.But what is its value and how can I present paperwork for it ?Its part of the laptop.Why do I need a work permit to bring a laptop to Thailand

Hi crashed ie os failed and disappeared.Usb contained OS to boot the laptop.But what is its value and how can I present paperwork for it ?Its part of the laptop.Why do I need a work permit to bring a laptop to Thailand

You don't need WP to bring a laptop in, however you may need WP to re import the lap without incurring duty, under household goods/personal effects

you have brought a lap top to Thailand, it broke, you couriered out country without "exporting" properly it

you have no poof duty was paid originally, now trying to reimport it customs was duty off you cos you can prove duty was paid in the first instance ?

Does that sound about right ?