Ask question
This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.

Is it safe to send a bank card via regular mail to Thailand?

May 7, 2021
5 years ago
Lizzy ****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Has anyone had a bank card sent via regular mail to Thailand? Just wondering if people think it’s safe to do so. Obviously I’ll check about registered mail/tracking with my bank in Australia. Thanks 🙏
6,292
views
137
all likes
74
replies
41
users
TLDR : Answer Summary
The safety of sending a bank card via regular mail to Thailand varies by individual experience. Some users report successful deliveries from various countries, including the US and UK, without problems. Others caution about security issues, particularly banks that refuse to send cards via regular mail, preferring registered or tracked services. Increased caution is suggested during the pandemic due to delivery delays and potential for lost mail. A common recommendation is to have mail sent to family in Australia or use DHL/FedEx for safer, tracked options.
Mike **********
I’ve never had an issue. Of course I wait until in hand before I activate it. Tracking from the USA usually stops tracking once it leaves US customs. I just keep a close watch on account activity until it arrives.
Like
Reply
Barbara ********
@Mike *********
once it leaves the US, you have to switch over to the Thai Post website for tracking. It works well.
Like
Reply
Mike **********
@Barbara *******
thanks, I didn’t know that. Got one expiring next year, will try.
Like
Reply
Reply to
Mike **********
Reply
John-Paul ******
Send it by Registered Mail. Take a bit but far cheaper than. Fed Ex or DHL or by Express Mail.
Like
Reply
Hans ******
No problem. You activate it by phone or in an atm.after arrival.
Like
Reply
Stefan *******
I try one time and it got lost, never received it, so be careful
Like
Reply
Terary **********
I have had a few. When I am lucky I can convince the banks to send to me directly. Each time I get them within a week. I have also had friends send to me. I prefer the bank. Once when the friend send to me, they didn't do signature required and I never received it.
Like
Reply
Martin ***********
I put my VISA card into the google pay account without having a physical card. now I pay with my mobile phone
Like
Reply
Lizzy ****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Martin **********
Great idea,

but doesn’t work for getting cash out of the atm unfortunately!
Like
Reply
Martin ***********
@Lizzy ***
Krungthai has contactless ATM
Like
Reply
Reply to
Martin ***********
Reply
Nick *******
Yes i had a Barclaycard sent from Uk in December by normal mail. Took about 6 wks mainly coz of the pandemic restrictions on aircraft departures. Prob sitting at Heathrow for 1mth 🙂
Like
Reply
Steve **********
Was a time it was a no no.

Even packages were opened emptied then delivered.

Things are much better now.
Like
Reply
Hans ******************
I did it a few times, no problems.
Like
Reply
Roger **********
A few times... and Puralator will get it here in 7 days from Canada. No problem
Like
Reply
Christopher ***********
Yes, absolutely. In my experience Thai Royal Mail is excellent. Our postman knows I/we can be at any one of three places. If we're not at the address upon the envelope he goes to both of the others, that's service!
Like
Reply
Bob **********
I have it took about 10days but that was pretty Covid my bank will fed ex them to me now free
Like
Reply
Sam *****
I have had 2 credit cards sent to me via normal post from UK and both arrived no probs at all.
Like
Reply
Christopher ***********
@Samantha *********
You must use the right bank! It's always safest to send 'valuables' by cheapest means in plain envelopes so I've been told.
Like
Reply
Sam *****
@Christopher **********
I got family to send it for me I kept my bank address in the UK maybe that helps
Like
Reply
Reply to
Sam *****
Reply
Barbara ********
I sent mine by DHL last year and they OPENED the package. Apparently, FedEx has an agreement that guarantees customs approval, so packages are not opened. This time around I sent it FedEx, but it cost me $85. I’ve successfully used the USPS to send via Thai Post in other instances with no problems. Takes a little longer but IMO pretty safe. Send it with tracking but no insurance and value less than $50 pretty much assures no problems.
Like
Reply
Barbara ********
David Broadfoot I’m quite aware that Thai currency is the baht LOL. But when you send a package from the US you have to declare a value in US dollars. And the last time I looked, documents/paperwork were not dutiable goods.
Like
Reply
Barbara ********
David Broadfoot just saying what’s worked for me
Like
Reply
เอ็ดเวิร์ด *******
Wrong. I had a small - 6 cm piece of medical equipment- solid plastic, no moving parts, and it was stopped by customs because it was not ordered by a doctor, idiotic
Like
Reply
Barbara ********
@Edward *******
did you send it with no insurance and a value under $50?
Like
Reply
Reply to
Barbara ********
Reply
Tony *******
Have it sent to family in Australia then get them to send it by fed ex or DHL costs a bit but safe and quick
Like
Reply
Robert **********
@Tony ******
some say DHL will refuse them
Like
Reply
Michael ********
@Robert *********
yes i put in a book
Like
Reply
Tony *******
@Robert *********
I have sent alsorts by DHL no problems put it in a phone box tell them it's a phone?or do as I do just put birthday gift.
Like
Reply
Reply to
Tony *******
Reply
Greg ************
I’ve had many bank/credit cards forwarded to me by my family from the UK via DHL, but they (DHL) will only accept the package if the card is still attached to the bank letter and sent with no other items.
Like
Reply
Christopher ***********
@Greg ***********
Thanks for the information Greg. My U.K. bank told me they don't send cards to Thailand. However, and most fortunately for me, renewed credit cards 'slip through' although they intercept and destroy my debit cards. A customer since the 1960's and have to rely upon their mistakes to continue to use their services. Marvellous!
Like
Reply
Greg ************
Ahh got you
@Chris******
, mine were posted to my UK address then reposted via DHL. In the 15 years I’ve been in Asia, only had 2 occasions where they were returned to my UK address, once when the card was removed from the letter before sending, and another when the card and letter were included with other items. 👍
Like
Reply
Reply to
Greg ************
Reply
Daren **********
I got my new one sent from my Aussie bank to an Australian address and had a friend DHL it. Much safer.
Like
Reply
Ruben *******
Yes, right now, but be careful because due this outbreak international mail is on hold. Mine has been stuck in Hong Kong for two weeks now.
Like
Reply
Robert *******
i get cards sent from us no problems for years
Like
Reply
เอ็ดเวิร์ด *******
Like
Reply
Robert *******
Like
Reply
Reply to
Robert *******
Reply
Garrett ***********
@Ru***
International mail is not on hold
Like
Reply
Ruben *******
@Garrett **********
*********************************************************************************
technically is resumed but I guess it takes some days till it works again.
Like
Reply
Reply to
Ruben *******
Reply
Beverly **********
Yes, replacement card. Took seven weeks but I got it, no problem.
Like
Reply
Michael ********
Still waiting 12months later
Like
Reply
Roger ********
A friend did. Just arrived. Took 2 attempts and 3 months.
Like
Reply
Dee **********
Yes, sent described as forwarded mail.
Like
Reply
Danny ********
I did a few times from Canada and took less then a week...free of charge
Like
Reply
Lizzy ****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks for the tips.
Like
Reply
Phill ******
yes . last week by express post from westpac , wasnt cheap but only 10 days to get here .
Like
Reply
Ken ********
Had a visa card sent from Australia no problem
Like
Reply
Adrian ******
Yes my sister forwarded mine by recorded mail & actually wrote bank card on declaration slip on envelope. Which I guess this end not so scary as most can’t read it
Like
Reply
Mark ******
Yes, from Westpac in Australia and Standard Chartered from Singapore, no problems
Like
Reply
Andy ***********
CBA in Australia do not send cards overseas . I tried . Not sure about the rest
Like
Reply
Monti ********
Many times. No issues. Just have whoever is sending it put the card in its rider into a regular #10 sized envelope.
Like
Reply
Jonny **********
My bank back in the UK wouldn't send it for security reasons but had two sent by my family with no problems.
Like
Reply
Gordon *********
Yes twice no problems from UK
Like
Reply
Neil ********
If it is well concealed in card, I would say
*****
- got one through, had one go missing....
Like
Reply
Steve *********
Banks in UK do not send for security reasons
Like
Reply
Ronald *********
Thanks
Like
Reply
Oliver *******************
@Steve ********
They do I've been sent 1
Like
Reply
Steve *********
@Oliver ******************
,, ok so when they did not send to me and told me it was because of security reasons & this came from the very top this was a lie or are you calling me a liar.
Like
Reply
Kevin *****
Steve Maynard no, just too compliant. As I have said, they told me no but once I pointed out how they sent 9 cards to me that went missing in China, which they don't consider a high risk country, and that their insinuation that courier companies we're not reliable and was information I was willing to share with courier companies, they sent a card. Not recorded/registered mail or courier, just plain first class post. Natwest has a long history of not giving 2 hoots about their customers. In the past 4 years I have had nearly £2000 in compensation payments from them for their poor performance and the unnecessary hardship it has caused me. Just stand up to them and they will send the card.

"If you threaten them, it will come."
Like
Reply
Oliver *******************
@Steve ********
shut up I said they do send it because I and many others have received cards, also tone it down
Like
Reply
Steve *********
Like
Reply
Oliver *******************
@Steve ********
you don't like it because your wrong, you asked a question and we are answering but you don't like what we say
Like
Reply
Garrett ***********
@St***
There's a difference between ONE bank not sending you a card because of their policy, and an entire COUNTRY being prohibited from making cards internationally.
Like
Reply
Steve *********
@Garrett **********
tbf I have tried saying Natwest would not.

IMHO the replies I have seen have bordered on calling me a liar.

I actually had a major issue and needed to contact the CEO and other directors to get my issue sorted, so yes I am p'ed off.
Like
Reply
Garrett ***********
@St***
You said, "banks in the UK do not send cards for security reasons."
Like
Reply
Reply to
Garrett ***********
Reply
Bobby ********
Steve Maynard. HSBC sent me one a few months ago. The card is useless until it's activated so there's no security issue.
Like
Reply
Steve *********
@Bobby *******
umm you are wrong I had this issue with Natwest& know several others who had same issue.
Like
Reply
Kevin *****
@Steve ********
I'm with Natwest and got mine sent. To be fair, I had to threaten them. I pointed out that they don't consider China a high risk country to send cards to but they sent me 11 cards and only 2 ever arrived because their complaints team sent them by FedEx. I also pointed out that they stated I had to give a family/friend address in the UK and then GO TO THE UK TO COLLECT IT because mail/couriers were not safe. So I told them I was going to copy their email to all the major international courier companies. 2 weeks later my card arrived by first class post, not even recorded or signed for! You just have to push the right buttons, after all, since 2009 we own the banks.
Like
Reply
Ruth *******
@Steve ********
Perhaps you had an issue with NatWest because they do not allow their customers to be residents of Thailand. The following is their permitted list of countries. They may have been concerned about flagging a regulatory issue.

Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bermuda, Canada, China (Expats only), Denmark, Finland, France, Hong Kong, Kuwait, Norway, Oman, Qatar, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom or the United States of America
Like
Reply
Steve *********
@Ruth ******
maybe, I don't know, this was not advised to me.
Like
Reply
Garrett ***********
@St***
What do you mean he's wrong? His bank didn't send him a card?
Like
Reply
Bobby ********
Steve Maynard. I can't comment on NatWest, but I had no issue with HSBC sending a card here. I still had to call the bank in person to activate it (couldn't do it through the app or online) and answer security questions. Your problem must be with the specific bank.
Like
Reply
Reply to
Bobby ********
Reply
Garrett ***********
@St***
That's not true.
Like
Reply
Steve *********
@Garrett **********
well NATWEST do not.
Like
Reply
Reply to
Steve *********
Reply
Garrett ***********
I've had one sent from the US, no problems.
Like
Reply
Reply to
Garrett ***********
Reply
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
... members · 60% approval rate
The Thai Visa Advice And Everything Else group allows for a broad range of discussions on life in Thailand, beyond just visa inquiries.
Join the Group
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
View the Conversation
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
The ask:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.