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Can I order 20 computers from overseas ?

JohnnyBKK
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JohnnyBKK Advanced Member

JohnnyBKK

Posted
Posted

Hello,

 

I Have an Elite visa and I would like to buy 20 computers, can this be seen as "work" or "business" or whatever else by customs officials ? Why would a tourist order 20 computers, right ?

 

Best regards,

Swiss1960 Platinum Member

Swiss1960

Posted
Posted

Not only will they ask you, what you want do do with 20 computers.. they will probably tax them with a 50-100% luxury import tax.

You seem to go forward with the idea of Bitcoin mining.. despite all warnings in the other post that nowadays, it is no more possible for private persons to make money out of it...

Sent from my HTC 10 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

Techno Viking Silver Member

Techno Viking

Posted
Posted
5 minutes ago, steven100 said:

But how will that affect your elite visa Johnny ..  ?   if you set up a thai company will that cancel your Elite visa membership  ?

Can't get a work permit on the elite visa, not sure if one can have both an elite and non B at the same time.

Swiss1960 Platinum Member

Swiss1960

Posted
Posted
47 minutes ago, JohnnyBKK said:

Import on computers is 0%.

 

I'm going to set up a thai company and get a work permit, just in case.

I think you are wrong (but I am not a Thai customs specialist) with that 0%. 

 

Have a look at the cusom tariff website on http://igtf.ustoms.go.th and then at tariff 84.71 (automatic data processing machines....) subsection 8471.41.10 (personal computers excluding portable computers) and you will see that not only they talk about 40% import taxes, but there is also a line about "Electronic permit" needed for business...

Shiver Advanced Member

Shiver

Posted
Posted

Although OP didn't say, I doubt very much that it is Bitcoin mining unless he has free electricity as it wouldn't be competitive. There are other coins/tokens where it might be viable for non ASIC, but then you can buy GPU here in Thailand for that if you get in the queue at the shops.  ASUS have a card for exactly that purpose.

 

In the earlier days I GPU mined for a year or so just for kicks.  I wouldn't call it work as I was just sat on my butt trying to keep away from the noise and heat (fried most cards as I was trying to keep them below 100C in the heat).  On reflection I didn't make any more than if I'd just bought the coin and saved myself the trouble, but thought I'd at least have the hardware as value at the end, which ended up as fried junk.

If you could get a heat exchanger to convert all that heat then you might be onto something, but that too would be a world changer in electricity usage.

If you do want to import then it would be no drama to get a Thai to import for say, an internet shop? (although most use a phone for that now rather than regular computers - not I - but majority do).

csabo Silver Member

csabo

Posted
Posted
3 minutes ago, Shiver said:

Although OP didn't say, I doubt very much that it is Bitcoin mining unless he has free electricity as it wouldn't be competitive. There are other coins/tokens where it might be viable for non ASIC, but then you can buy GPU here in Thailand for that if you get in the queue at the shops.  ASUS have a card for exactly that purpose.

 

In the earlier days I GPU mined for a year or so just for kicks.  I wouldn't call it work as I was just sat on my butt trying to keep away from the noise and heat (fried most cards as I was trying to keep them below 100C in the heat).  On reflection I didn't make any more than if I'd just bought the coin and saved myself the trouble, but thought I'd at least have the hardware as value at the end, which ended up as fried junk.

If you could get a heat exchanger to convert all that heat then you might be onto something, but that too would be a world changer in electricity usage.

If you do want to import then it would be no drama to get a Thai to import for say, an internet shop? (although most use a phone for that now rather than regular computers - not I - but majority do).

You obviously missed the dozen threads he started this month. Go read his profile and catch up.

csabo Silver Member

csabo

Posted
Posted
3 hours ago, Techno Viking said:

Can't get a work permit on the elite visa, not sure if one can have both an elite and non B at the same time.

Can't have 2 valid visas at the same time. He will lose the Elite and the fee he paid for it if he goes for the non b.  I wish this fiasco was a reality show.  As far as importing a container full of computers and expecting not to be taxed keep dreaming. I got $15 worth of Go Pro mounts sent and it got held up at customs 3 days because they didn't believe the purchase price.

williamgeorgeallen Senior Member

williamgeorgeallen

Posted
Posted
3 hours ago, JohnnyBKK said:

Import on computers is 0%.

 

I'm going to set up a thai company and get a work permit, just in case.

it is not as simple as you think. you need to rent a shop or office and have 4 staff sitting at desks while they come round taking photos. i did this for 9 years and every year it got more strange and difficult. your best bet is to do it in a secure facility with a decent locked door. setting up a company and getting a work permit will be more hassle than it is worth.

as for importing the computers you need to find a professional importer to handle it all. dont ever do anything to to with customs, they are complete criminals who will hold your goods and extort as much cash from you as they can.

Techno Viking Silver Member

Techno Viking

Posted
Posted (edited)
4 minutes ago, csabo said:

Did you even read what he said? He said you can't use them at the same time. Therefore if you were on a non b for the life of the PE it would be invalid and the fee not returned. Seriously dude, try a little bit.

I did read what he posted, did you ?

 

" Your membership in Thai Elite would still be valid and if you stopped working you could go back to the PE for the remainder of your membership."

Edited by Techno Viking
csabo Silver Member

csabo

Posted
Posted (edited)
46 minutes ago, Techno Viking said:

I did read what he posted, did you ?

 

" Your membership in Thai Elite would still be valid and if you stopped working you could go back to the PE for the remainder of your membership."

Meaning it is invalid and cannot be used while using the Non B meaning if you used the Non B for the length of the validity of the PE  it would die.  Are you really this challenged????  A bigger font won't change the fact that you are a (fill in the blank).

Edited by csabo
Techno Viking Silver Member

Techno Viking

Posted
Posted (edited)
44 minutes ago, csabo said:

Meaning it is invalid and cannot be used while using the Non B meaning if you used the Non B for the length of the validity of the PE  it would die.  Are you really this challenged????  A bigger font won't change the fact that you are a (fill in the blank).

Your argument is to  a question that was never asked, seems the one that is challenged is not me.

Edited by Techno Viking
onthemoon Platinum Member

onthemoon

Posted
Posted

Of course you can import 20 computers on your own name. No need for a company or a work permit, customs won't ask. You need to be registered with customs, using your passport and your address.

 

8471.411000

- - - Personal computers excluding portable computers of subheading 8471.30

Import duty 0%, VAT 7%.

 

Whether the RD asks later on what you do with it, is another questions.

rickudon Gold Member

rickudon

Posted
Posted

If someone really wanted to do bitcoin mining, i would choose a country with a good feed-in solar power tariff (in the Uk at one point you got paid for all the units you produced, even if you used them yourself) so that basically you got free electricity. And a cool climate so that cooling was not an issue. 

williamgeorgeallen Senior Member

williamgeorgeallen

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, onthemoon said:

Of course you can import 20 computers on your own name. No need for a company or a work permit, customs won't ask. You need to be registered with customs, using your passport and your address.

 

8471.411000

- - - Personal computers excluding portable computers of subheading 8471.30

Import duty 0%, VAT 7%.

 

Whether the RD asks later on what you do with it, is another questions.

have you ever tried importing anything?  have you ever dealt with customs?

mike324 Silver Member

mike324

Posted
Posted

If you are going to carry in 20 computers, I'm sure the boxes will be big or you will have a big luggage. You will be check, they wont' think its for work but for resale so they will hit you with taxes. No tourist or normal folk will need 20 computers.

 

Elite Visa doesn't matter, I have Elite Visa as well the assistance have said they can no longer walk with Elite members pass the customs section. So it would be the AOT assistant walking with you.

 

But assuming you are sending it in my post - its a no brainer that you will be tax. They don't care if it for work or not.

 

I think computers prices aren't that much of a difference compare to abroad nowadays perhaps more expensive by only $50-100 depending on model. Why bother? unless you are bringing in some special models not found here.

 

 

onthemoon Platinum Member

onthemoon

Posted
Posted
2 hours ago, williamgeorgeallen said:

have you ever tried importing anything?  have you ever dealt with customs?

I do that for a living.

JohnnyBKK Advanced Member

JohnnyBKK

Posted
  • Author
Posted
8 hours ago, onthemoon said:

Of course you can import 20 computers on your own name. No need for a company or a work permit, customs won't ask. You need to be registered with customs, using your passport and your address.

 

8471.411000

- - - Personal computers excluding portable computers of subheading 8471.30

Import duty 0%, VAT 7%.

 

Whether the RD asks later on what you do with it, is another questions.

Thanks ! I just passed the order and I'm registering the company and work permit. Everything will be done before the goods arrive. The order finally was for 35 mining computers.

onthemoon Platinum Member

onthemoon

Posted
Posted
3 hours ago, williamgeorgeallen said:

you import stuff into thailand for a living? 

No, my customers do. I provide customs brokerage services.

onthemoon Platinum Member

onthemoon

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, JohnnyBKK said:

Thanks ! I just passed the order and I'm registering the company and work permit. Everything will be done before the goods arrive. The order finally was for 35 mining computers.

Opening a company is smarter.

However, when you order the computers, make sure they are brand-new. Import of second computers into Thailand is a problem, if possible at all.

onthemoon Platinum Member

onthemoon

Posted
Posted
7 hours ago, thaifoodruns said:

It's not 0%, just ordered a laptop cost 55k B, import charges 4,5k B

 

 

Import duty is 0%, VAT is 7%. I don't know what the balance is that you paid, I would have to see the invoice. Can be anything from storage charges to handling fees.

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