Answered2 years ago
Can I bring frozen meat into Thailand on a flight from San Francisco to Chiang Rai?
Anyone ever brought frozen meat back with you? I am assuming that butchers can make a whole sealed with dry ice package, but I fly from San Francisco to Chiang Rai and it's often close to 30 hours..
Answer summary
Bringing frozen meat into Thailand is highly regulated, and certain types of meat, such as pork, are not allowed at all. Travelers should be aware that customs will inspect declared items and any meat brought can be confiscated and destroyed. Recent comments suggest that while some may have successfully smuggled meat in, this poses significant legal risks, including hefty fines and potential prison sentences. Dry ice packaging does have specific guidelines but must still adhere to import restrictions. It is advisable to check the latest Thai customs regulations and consider purchasing food locally rather than risking transportation of restricted items.
52 repliesnewest first
Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.
Andy **********
I can't see the point in transporting something from the other side of the world to Thailand, when it's available in Thailand, with all respect, I would think most people have got more important things to worry about.
Jack ****************
OP@Andy *********
I can't really taste the difference between different levels of booze. They all taste like dirty ass. I've had 4 digit bottles and 3 dollar bottles. I'll pay a couple bucks extra for a pretty bottle, else for personal use I just go cheap. Because I have no frame for the expensive stuff being "good" I find it weird when people care. Either you have not had American beef or lack the ability to tell the difference. That is fine, but it is, for those who can tell, basically a totally different food. I laugh when my family wants to eat steak here because it is so comically tough (I have been recommended a butcher that allegedly has decent steak, but I am skeptical) and I think it will be nice if they could see what my idea of steak is. Just about everything from my country is a dumpster fire- but nobody can touch American beef. Wagyu is a joke.
Any sentence that begins "with all respect" likely is being used to convey disdain. If I should just block you let me know.
Andy **********
@Jack ***************
if I say "with all respect" from me it means my comment is not meant to be disrespectful, I have never had American beef, so maybe I don't understand, but I think I've had some pretty good steaks in my time, and it's just not that important to me, I understand if you want to show your Thai family the difference in quality, but think about this, if you plan on retiring in Thailand in the future, you will need to do without some of your home comforts, such as your favourite steaks.
Wayne ********
Dry ice packaging must include the words on the outside of the package dry ice or carbon dioxide solid. They must also have proper ventilation.
Al ********
I know people who do it all the time without dry ice. Look for a quicker flight. You should find something with lay over about 24 hours. LAX used to run Thai airways direct to bkk but that was a long time ago and not available. 18 hours. You can find good beef that’s imported now. But pricey. I wouldn’t try it.
Michael ********
Contact
@Greg ******
he has couple of Mexican Restaurants but also imports and presume maybe souces in Thailand speciality meats . Get from him instead of breaking all sorts of lawsGreg ***********
From the Thai Customs Department webpage:
“Restricted goods are goods of which the imports and exports are restricted by law and therefore require a permit from related government agencies. The permit must be presented during Customs formalities. Examples of restricted goods are as follows:
Food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement”
Thus, meats and processed meat products are “restricted” items and you are not allowed to bring them to Thailand
Of course you read: “I brought frozen mutton and three salami in my luggage, and customs didn’t bat an eye”
This means: they just got lucky and away with it
“Restricted goods are goods of which the imports and exports are restricted by law and therefore require a permit from related government agencies. The permit must be presented during Customs formalities. Examples of restricted goods are as follows:
Food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement”
Thus, meats and processed meat products are “restricted” items and you are not allowed to bring them to Thailand
Of course you read: “I brought frozen mutton and three salami in my luggage, and customs didn’t bat an eye”
This means: they just got lucky and away with it
Jack ****************
OPPaul De Graaf I like that they give themselves cover by saying "other items" at the end
Bryant *****
@Greg **********
down at the bottom it says telecommunication equipment.... I'm assuming you can bring your phone that you already have?Greg ***********
@Bryant ****
medicine is exempt if you bring your doctors list of prescribed medicationsGreg ***********
@Jack ***************
meat import is forbidden for you because you cannot prove that the meat you bring is from happy cows, has been microbiologically tested and certified by your home country's FDA. Since the BSE crisis, the mouth and foot disease, and other outbreaks, meat imports became regulated much stricter. The bulk of beef you bring in you baggage bears no marks of certification, has no batch number, does not have a proof of origin. You just cannot import a deer you shot with a bow and arrow in the Oregon woods, you don't know if it bears parasites or notJack ****************
OP@Greg **********
so my thinking with the meat is this might all be a commercial vs private use thing. It sounds like they are talking about not brining bulk items vs "I want to show my family what American steak is like"Greg ***********
@Bryant ****
personal belongings are exempt. Smartphones are no "radio equipment", Walkie Talkies are. You just can't bring walkie talkies and broadcast on the wavelenght of the Royal Thai Police 😂 if this was your planJack ****************
OP@Bryant ****
also says cosmeticsGreg ***********
@Jack ***************
amazingly, yesGreg ***********
just a word of CAUTION: Since the BSE crisis, the import of meat products or sausages into Thailand has been strictly prohibited. Violators risk prison sentences of up to two years.
Franky ******
Trying to sneak a GF in with you ?
Stephen ********
ya why
James **************
Why
Detlef ***********
DONT WISH TO BE A " KAREN" however just why would you be so irresponsible as to bring meats or other perishable foods to another country , is beyond me !!!!!! We have this big problem here in Australia , with idiots bringing in foods with diseases not in Australia !! Some that have slipped thru customs have had a major impact for example " white spot" wiping out whole prawn industry in NSW & " citrus kanga" decimating some areas of fruit industry !!!!! For Thailand's sake , I sincerely hope that customs deals with fools like this severely!!!!!!!
Dave **********
@Brandon ***********
know a guy who brought meant for years until he was caught, he said never again. Lost the meat and he was entered into the computer however forget if he was also fined.
Dennis *********
I'm about 100% positive, any meats will be confiscated, and destroyed by customs.
Detlef ***********
@Dennis ********
Hopefully 🙏Eric **********
@Dennis ********
Not so. I had a buddy bring in an entire cooler full of venison. No issues.Detlef ***********
NA'Ahulelua *********
@Eric *********
did he declare it?Eric **********
Greg ***********
@Eric *********
lucky buddyEric **********
@Greg **********
Knowing my buddy he didn’t try to hide it. He drags the same cooler everywhere…Greg ***********
@Eric *********
so he smuggled it in and got lucky. He could have sentenced to two years prison if customs did a random check on him, and a probable ban for coming to Thailand 😎Eric **********
@NA'Ahulelua ********
Honestly I don’t know but it wasn’t hidden in any way!! His wife was waiting with a freezer.
Frangipani *******
Why?
Dee ***********
This is the law not Facebook know all,s some get through if you're caught you will pay the price
Even without all the technicalities of keeping the meal frozen, the simple answer to your question is no. Meat and meat products are not allowed to be carried into Thailand.Jan 1, 2562 BE
Even without all the technicalities of keeping the meal frozen, the simple answer to your question is no. Meat and meat products are not allowed to be carried into Thailand.Jan 1, 2562 BE
Frangipani *******
@Dee **********
What I meant was why would one want to bring meat into here. There’s plenty to go around as it is...Dee ***********
@Frangipani ******
True but people always think from there home country beef or other food' is better
Richard *******
I’m pretty sure you cannot take pork into Thailand right now, best to check on your Thai embassy website.
Brandon ************
There are strict guidelines to flying with dry ice including how much you're allowed to bring and how it's vented.
You will also have to declare this to customs and be inspected. Whether it's confiscated or not is between you and customs.
You will also have to declare this to customs and be inspected. Whether it's confiscated or not is between you and customs.
Jack ****************
OP@Brandon ***********
you a vegetarian Brandon? Trying to thwart my steak plans? :) joking.But I don't see anything about meat/beef on the customs site- but we all know I am horrible at...learning/reading.
Faye *********
@Brandon ***********
Billy 2.0
Lynnette *******
@Brandon ***********
don't confuse him with facts.Brandon ************
@Jack ***************
ordering online has nothing to do with you bringing in things yourself. Those things are imported by someone with a license.Jack ****************
OP@Faye ********
thank you Faye, that reads A LOT like they are talking about van loads of pig parts from Laos. Another thing I saw had said you can't even bring something with meat as an ingredient (listed Marmite as the example) but you can straight up order canned meat online for sure. I am going to keep sniffing around and will report back.
Brandon ************
@Jack ***************
***************************************************************
*****
93-bringing-meat-into-thailand/Jack ****************
OP@Brandon ***********
hmmmLynnette *******
@Brandon ***********
this reminds me of someone else who used to be on here.
John *********
@Lynnette ******
There are similarities :-)Lynnette *******
@John ********
maybe someone cloned him. . yikes!Brandon ************
@Lynnette ******
wonder what happened to BillyLynnette *******
@Brandon ***********
ah. . That's the one. Lol. Maybe he's hiding in plain sight!Activity
23 joined23
people
Related
25Will I have to pay import duties when shipping personal belongings to Bangkok?
3.6k27502mo
Do I need to resubmit my TM30 after staying in a hotel during domestic travel in Thailand?
2.2k20212mo
Can I qualify for a DTV visa in Thailand with a language and culture course in Chiang Rai?
1.4k1535mo
Is it necessary to have an exit ticket when entering Thailand on a Non-O visa for retirement?
1.7k131910mo
How can I successfully apply for a visa to Thailand as a remote worker?
4k24611y
Do I need to file a new TM30 every time I return to my apartment after staying in a hotel in Thailand?
3.5k23291y
Can I bring my watch collection into Thailand without issues at customs?
7.2k35682y
What is the process for bringing pets to Thailand from the USA, and how strict are the import regulations?
7.9k25122y
What is the best way to ship a laptop to a friend in Thailand?
8.1k73653y
Can a Canadian traveler return to Thailand after a tourist visa if restricted by Air China waiver?
1.5k11103y
Can a UK citizen apply for a Thai tourist visa from Sri Lanka?
738433y
How much does a Thailand visa cost for 1 month?
5.2k44403y
Should I extend my visa or just pay a penalty for overstaying in Chiang Mai?
4.3k28613y
Is it legal to bring prescribed medication for someone else into Thailand?
4.5k32423y
Can I ship my musical instruments tax-free with a NON-IMMIGRANT VISA TYPE O-A in Thailand?
2.6k14133y
What should I do with my Thai Elite visa when renewing my passport in Denmark?
1.1k4133y
What are the risks of frequent border hopping in Thailand without a long-term visa?
6.4k56574y
Do children born in Thailand need a visa until a certain age?
9422114y
What is the best way to bring personal items to Thailand without incurring import fees?
3.8k26314y
How much prescription medication can I bring to Thailand on a tourist visa?
1.6k1094y
What does a 'Letter from the Embassy for Request check to objectives' mean for obtaining a national background check from Thailand?
1.9k13135y
Is it acceptable to travel with gift-wrapped packages through customs?
2.9k23235y
When does my 90-day reporting period start if I'm on a COVID-19 visa extension in Thailand?
945576y
Is one page enough in a passport for entering Thailand after obtaining a Cambodian visa?
8903127y
What are the current requirements for obtaining a SETV at the Thai Consulate in Penang?
1.9k8308y
Resources
Need help with your Thai visa?
#1 visa agent · 4,000+ reviews · 100,000+ expats served