Can you ship a container to Thailand on a retirement visa without paying import duty?

I am shipping from Philippines in a month, a 20 ft container with about 26cubic mtrs including two large TVs, some carpets, a Yamaha keyboard. I got customs estimates from two shippers and they were both in the US$800-1400 range. I could likely get the number down by excluding the electronics / keyboard / carpets, but will probably just ship it all. I don't find the amount unreasonable compared to what I was charged on the Philippines move.

It’ll will definitely depend on what’s in the container

I shipped a 44' container from Australia to Thailand. The shipment was in my Thai wife's name. Upon arrival and inspection from Thai customs we had to pay 22,000 Bht in duties. Certain items are taxed irrespective of age and condition, for instance you are only allowed 2 TV's, fridge etc. Any more than 2 and you are taxed. Garden tools, garage tools, children's toys, musical instruments are all taxed. In my case we were the family were moving to Thailand and we had a house full of house hold goods. We could obviously have sold it everything and got a pittance for everything. All up the 44' shipping container full of our 'stuff' cost us AUS$16,000 door to door (including duties). There is no way we could of replaced all items for this amount of money. Different if you're single and want to travel with a back pack or suitcase. Horses for courses...

I was looking this up yesterday myself. Basically you can bring in your personal effects duty and tax free, that is for used items. New items attract 7% VAT. There's a lot of differing comments here. I took what I found directing from the Thai Customs website page.. I don't get it why one person here was charged 30% duty? It sounds like a shakedown to me. The way I look at it is, if you only have to pay $500 as some have suggested here, that's a bonus. It also depends on the value of your stuff when making your decision.. I guess to replace all my personal effects and clothing would cost anywhere between AUD$10-20,000. So, even if I had to pay $2,000 it's well worth it. The guy with the moped should have broken it down and put the pieces in multiple cartons. I'm not suggesting you break the law tho.

I accidentally put a moped in my 40ft container

At harbor customs they told me that I had two options

1) ship it back out, to somewhere like Singapore, get an import permit, and ship back in

or,

2) give the inspector a bottle of Jonnie Walker Black

Yes Uk too Phuket via Bangkok

Duty is charged on personal effects that is the rule. It is a discretionary charge. I just cleared a 20 foot container ex Australia. Duty was under $500. Certain items will be focussed on by customs and your removalist will be able to advise you e.g. electronic items, carpets etc some visa classes are exempt

Thailand is on its knees begging the Americans to lower the tariff. I think the import will be next to zero very soon.

or there's the tea money option

I shipped four boxes last year and was charged a 30% duty fee.  Customs came up with an arbitrary number for the items coming in and then charge the 30%  to bring them into Thailand. That’s what customs charged me to bring them from the USA to Thailand?

Send a 40" 3 years ago,

Paid for all 500 USD TAX,

if you need more details, just let me know.

I used sevenseasworldwide to ship a movecube from Uk to Thailand last year. Received ok in about 7 weeks, didn’t pay any duty. About 500kg of items. Pretty good service, would recommend.

I shipped a container on no visa (eventually entered the country on a 60-day STV and by the time the container arrived had switched to ED). This was last year. Did not have to pay duty. I suggest you find another moving company 😉

Speak to

@Mark **********

he ships all the time to Thailand)( mark Ratcliffe removals ))

Yes I have. You can only avoid paying import duty if your partner is a Thai National returning home.