New computer purchase in Phuket

[SunshineVIno]

Hi forum members

I am coming to Phuket from London to visit my friend who lives there (He is UK citizen on work visa) I will be on tourist visa.

I would like to purchase a new Macbook or Imac while I am out there.

Either from apple online or the education store I found listed in the bangkok local forum.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/723773-new-purchase-of-a-desk-top-mac-computer/

My question is if the computer comes from either apple store thailand or the singapore education store will there be any duties or delivery issues into my friends residence in phuket?

Can I have it delivered to me on a tourist visa without a problem?

I will bring a flight case with me so it will leave with me as my own computer when I return to the UK. Will there be any issues leaving with it at the airport?

Thank you

M

[Somtamnication]

No worries. Duties are included in the price and you can track it online. Apple wants money, not what is in your passport. Nothing to worry about Thai customs.

[LoveThaiGirls]

If it comes from Singapore then surely Thai customs will slap on import tax? Obviously from a Thai store it won't be an issue.

Going home, wouldn't you be able to claim VAT back as well?

[pistachios]

I believe you can't buy from one country's apple store and get the stuff delivered in another country.

[Shot]

I took a quick look at prices on a few different models in UK, Thailand and Singapore. At best you might save 50USD. Hardly worth the hassle, and you may end up with a warranty problem or fake if purchased in SEA. Buy it in the UK from a reputable dealer, and save yourself from some potential headaches. IMHO

Edited March 12, 2015 by Shot

[NamKangMan]

I took a quick look at prices on a few different models in UK, Thailand and Singapore. At best you might save 50USD. Hardly worth the hassle, and you may end up with a warranty problem or fake if purchased in SEA. Buy it in the UK from a reputable dealer, and save yourself from some potential headaches. IMHO

You beat me to it, Shot.

I also checked it out to see what savings would be involved - not much.

OP, I wouldn't bother. Buy in the UK. Not a big issue, but you will also get a UK power plug charger, and will not need an plug adapter for the life of the computer.

[SunshineVIno]

Hi guys

Thanks for the posts so far. Much appreciated.

The saving from the UK to the education store is around 400gbp on a 2000gbp machine. From Thai applestore its around 250gbp saving. Both Without including the possibility of claiming the VAT back when leaving. So I think it is maybe still worth looking at.

The link in my post to the original thread on the bangkok forum looked like people had brought stuff in from the education store without extra import duty - It was an old post though so I was hoping someone here may have done it and say yey it's all cool go for it. I wonder if its exempt as its an education apple store? Or if there is a thai education store.