Importing

[illy]

hi everybody.

i intend to move to phuket thailand in 2007. i have my work permit and immigration pretty much under control. my question is regarding bringing items that i need for my work into thailand without paying massive import dutes on goods i already own.

my occupatiuon field is in the music industry; performance and tuition. i own some quite rare and essential equipement that is not available for purchase in thailand.

what is my best bet here? can anyone recommend any import/customs companies [in phuket]to get me through this minefield? most off my gear is not new , and i may not have purchase receipts for all of my equipment.

most of my items will be guitars, amplifiers, recording equipement and sound systems [PA systems]

thank you

[LivinLOS]

If its more than your going to carry in on the plane then you get taxed.. Even household effects etc that you have had for years and are obviously second hand get taxed these days. Used to be with a visa you could import personal items but they removed that.

Consider bringing it all as excess baggage.. At least that way you wont get blackmailed into a bill and the unpredictable aspect of never knowing how much they want until its here..

[illy]

yes i figured that was the situation, but excess baggae is a difficult option as its now $20 au per kilo!! looks like selling up everything and re buying in thailand. problem is, with sound and studio equipment some of the stuff i have is just not available in LOS. ah well.

[kasi]

yes i figured that was the situation, but excess baggae is a difficult option as its now $20 au per kilo!! looks like selling up everything and re buying in thailand. problem is, with sound and studio equipment some of the stuff i have is just not available in LOS. ah well.

Sometime if you fly business or first class you get more liberal baggage allowance. EVA has a very liberal baggage allowance.

The other option I've been using is shipping via DHL. You seem to only pay duty on the cost of the shipping.

[The Dan Sai Kid]

hi everybody.

i intend to move to phuket thailand in 2007. i have my work permit and immigration pretty much under control. my question is regarding bringing items that i need for my work into thailand without paying massive import dutes on goods i already own.

my occupatiuon field is in the music industry; performance and tuition. i own some quite rare and essential equipement that is not available for purchase in thailand.

what is my best bet here? can anyone recommend any import/customs companies [in phuket]to get me through this minefield? most off my gear is not new , and i may not have purchase receipts for all of my equipment.

most of my items will be guitars, amplifiers, recording equipement and sound systems [PA systems]

thank you

I do believe that Non-Imm B holders are allowed a duty-free shipment into the country.

You can arrange it yourself, but that is not a good idea. Customs will spot you a mile off, and you will go through a load of crap before you can get your stuff - if you can at all.

You can go through a shipping agent and they can do everything for you. It's not cheap - but the peace of mind is worthwhile.

Are you in the UK? I shipped my stuff over with Shoreporters - they were great, they came and packed everything and the next time we saw everything was in darkest Isaan.

I think you can search this forum for info, or maybe someone from your country can advise.

EDIT: I just read a post about visa holders had this privilege removed - you should get that verified. Do you have a Thai partner? If so, they are allowed a duty-free shipment.