Import taxes - double dipping?

[jonw8uk]

Does anybody have experience of having personal effects shipped to Thailand?

Quick summary:

In 2011 I got a job in Korea, and at that time I was based here in Thailand.

Part of the package allowed to me airfreight 100kgs of personal items to Korea.

Now I have been demobilised and am back in Thailand (visa waiver, soon to be tourist visa)

I am aware of Thai customs reputation, so, as much as I could I was bringing stuff back as check in items on my last few rotations, to try avoid any hassle.

In the end I was left with an approx 40kg consignment to be sent here - too big to carry on a plane etc

Most of the items are low value, a winter coat for example around 10 years old.

I know I will be paying duty on these items, and that the duty is based on the CIF value.

My question is, one of the items - an electronic keyboard was bought here in Bangkok (around 25K)

A rep from the shipping agent called this morning, asking about my visa status - informing me that as I didn't have a work permit etc, then duty will be payable.

I said ok, but the keyboard was bought here, and I have the shipping documents from 2011 when it left Thailand.

She said I'll still have to pay import duty on this - is that correct??

So, the shop pays import tax, I buy it 5 years ago, then will have to pay to RE-import it, at whatever value they give it......?!

[ezzra]

Double dipping? George Costanza wouldn't like that, that will make George no happy....

[dabhand]

Why not hand carry the keyboard and any other, small sized, items that you may have bought previously in Thailand and that might have duty issues?

Quite a number of years back (about thirty years, from memory), when I was working in Egypt, I bought a video player in Thailand for a colleague in Egypt. Was stopped at Cairo customs and had it taken from me. Was able to collect next time I left Cairo and headed back to Bangkok with it,

Of course, arriving at Bangkok airport I was stopped by the customs who took a great interest in this video player. I explained the situation, that I had bought it in Bangkok, etc, and the guy just waved me through with a smile (those were the days!). No paperwork asked for even though I did have some paperwork if needed.

[jonw8uk]

Why not hand carry the keyboard and any other, small sized, items that you may have bought previously in Thailand and that might have duty issues?

Quite a number of years back (about thirty years, from memory), when I was working in Egypt, I bought a video player in Thailand for a colleague in Egypt. Was stopped at Cairo customs and had it taken from me. Was able to collect next time I left Cairo and headed back to Bangkok with it,

Of course, arriving at Bangkok airport I was stopped by the customs who took a great interest in this video player. I explained the situation, that I had bought it in Bangkok, etc, and the guy just waved me through with a smile (those were the days!). No paperwork asked for even though I did have some paperwork if needed.

I was maxed out with what I could check in - 6 large suitcases, so hand carrying wasn't really an option.

As I said, I don't mind paying duty on stuff where its due, just I don't see that import duty should be paid on something I bought here...

It's already in motion, i.e. I'm in country now, and I believe my shipment is here at customs, so I'll just have to see what they say when I go to pay/collect

[h90]

Sounds logic.....And why would a tourist need 100 kg.

Like keyboard....if you export and reimport you need some special paperwork for it (on the export).

[BudRight]

Sounds logic.....And why would a tourist need 100 kg.

Like keyboard....if you export and reimport you need some special paperwork for it (on the export).

This is completely asinine. How does this make sense to you?

[h90]

Sounds logic.....And why would a tourist need 100 kg.

Like keyboard....if you export and reimport you need some special paperwork for it (on the export).

This is completely asinine. How does this make sense to you?

Customs regulations....If you send something out and reimport....for example something to repair it is a bit difficult....but understandable if it wouldn't need to be documented exactly it would allow fraud on imports.

(You send out the old broken VW beetle and when it comes back it is a new Ferrari. So it is obvious that the outgoing things must be inspected).

But you can send your household items without customs duty...no problem. Just not as tourist.

A tourist comes here to stay on the beach and flies back 1-2 month later, he don't need household items. So I think it might be staying on the wrong VISA.

[Langsuan Man]

You are going to be charged whatever the agent that is assigned to your shipment thinks it is worth

They won't break down the items and exempt some and charge for others, normally it is an all or nothing deal

I purchased furniture here in Thailand, it was shipped to Germany at the end of my assignment, and returned to Thailand when I retired

Still had to pay duty on the whole shipment, in my case was given two options, 80,000 THB for receipt, 40,000 THB for no receipt, you can guess which door I picked

[theguyfromanotherforum]

Personally I sell everything or throw in the garbage every time I move. Just not worth it. Personal and important stuff are left with reliable people. This is the reason I don't invest much in personal belongings anymore.