Phuket Customs tightening up on duty-free rules
Nattapat Tuarob


Sound advice: If you have bought something expnsive abroad, wear it while going through Customs at Phuket International Airport.

PHUKET: -- The Customs Department in Phuket, as part of a nationwide drive to raise revenue, is tightening up on tariffs on imported goods, in line with the Customs Tariff Decree of 2530 BE (1987).

The decree states that any item that is bought abroad for more than the equivalent of B10,000 and then carried into the country must be declared, and duty paid on it.

Montri Boonsri, Senior Customs Officer, told The Phuket News yesterday (March 9), “There has been no adjustment to the cost of goods [exempted], so the figure of B10,000 as the maximum allowance for personal assets exempted from tax is still in place.”

There is some flexibility, he said. “If you buy a brandname bag [abroad] or a watch, for example, and it costs more than B10,000, you must be able to declare that the goods belong to you and are for your own prsonal use, so don’t put them in your luggage, still in the packaging.

“There are exceptions, too. If you stay overseas for more than six months, then you will be exempted from paying import tax but you must declare the goods in your luggage to the officer.

“The Decree has applied since 1987 but we compromised for many years. However, we saw cases when people brought 30 bags through an airport. That is not normal and it was quite clear that not all the items were for personal use; they were for commerce. So we needed to be more strict about the import tariff.

“When we check the goods, we will also check out the person carrying the goods. We will check their travel history: Do they travel abroad a lot? Why do they need to carry lots of bags each time they travel? We need to be crystal clear about the reasons.”

As for tobacco and alcohol, he noted that the duty-free limits per person, regardless of price, are 200 cigarettes, or 250 grammes of cigars or tobacco, and one litre of alcohol.

“If you would like to bring in those goods, you will have to pay tax on any amount exceeding these quantities. I would suggest you contact customs officers to find out how much you should pay.”

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-customs-tightening-up-on-duty-free-rules-51333.php


-- Phuket News 2015-03-10

I would like to see a close examination of this department. And if they start targeting tourists. Then goodby to tourism. What happened about the luxury car scam? No mention! Just the easy options

Didn't they do this about three years ago?

Here's a tip. Try actually having Customs personnel manning the X-ray machine and maybe another officer at the exit of international arrivals.

Nine times out of ten, there's no one there........

"to raise Revenue" of course, it would be the wildest dream to think it was for making travellers follow the custom law.

Post-tsunami these scumbags tried to hit me for Bt300,000 for a consignment of donated toys for the kids.

A quick phone call getting the respective foreign ministries involved and when I arrived I think if I had flopped my tadger out they probably would have swallowed.

Weasels.

some mia nois are screaming for more gifts... well, the tax on this 1000 baht bag you bought overseas is 3000 baht, you pay or you leave it here with us

Didn't they do this about three years ago?

Here's a tip. Try actually having Customs personnel manning the X-ray machine and maybe another officer at the exit of international arrivals.

Nine times out of ten, there's no one there........

so be happy with this !

9 times no chance to catch YOU !!

Didn't they do this about three years ago?

Here's a tip. Try actually having Customs personnel manning the X-ray machine and maybe another officer at the exit of international arrivals.

Nine times out of ten, there's no one there........

They got me to put my luggage through the X-ray scanner when I came in October last year. I only had a single suitcase with me as well. They didn't ask me if I had anything to declare though which I thought was a bit odd.

I thought there were some news reports here in recent months out of BKK with Customs officials talking about them planning to RAISE the 10,000 baht exemption to some higher, more reasonable amount. But, like so many thing here, lots of talk...and not much action.