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Is it safe to send my original passport to Thai Customs with FedEx to clear my freight?

Thai Customs Passport Safety Shipping Belongings to Thailand FedEx Visa Regulations Expat Advice

Jul 14, 2025

20 days ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

I'm being asked to send my original passport with FedEx to Thai Customs to clear my freight (our belongings to move here). I've already emailed a clear photo of the ID page and offered to get a certified copy (although not sure how here). They insist on original and will return within 3 days. Is it safe? Anyone done it? 

Thank you 🙏🏼 greatly appreciate

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A user is concerned about sending their original passport with FedEx to Thai Customs to clear their freight upon moving to Thailand. They have already emailed a copy of the ID page and offered to provide a certified copy. Many comments advise against sending the passport, highlighting the risks and suggesting alternative methods such as going directly to customs or having a representative take the passport. There are mixed experiences shared regarding the necessity of the original passport, with some users confirming it is standard procedure for customs, while others recommend caution due to the risks involved.

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Michael *******

You have two choices - fly to BKK and hand your passport to clearing agent to process clearance through customs - or use a courier company to send your passport to the clearing agent - both DHL and FedEx are reliable in Thailand address carefully and provide contact number of your clearing agent in BKK you can track on line - good luck - I went through this 7 years ago with no drama

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Stefan ************

It is normal procedure for Thai customs to verify the original passport for first time registration.

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Ronnie *********

I would not. I would just go.

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James ******

Passport is a legal document no company has the right to ask for it.

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Max *************

Never give your passport to anyone except your immigration office.

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Peter ********

To make it very clear,

To import your personal effects. you need to give your passport to the agent that handle your goods.

All other advice are just BS

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David **********

I used an overseas freight company when it reached customs they had all the paperwork required including passport and inventory so it took 5 days to clear but was delivered to my address in nongruea

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Agnès ********

Not suspect at all. But do not send your passport go to the customs. When we arrived in Bangkok, we had to give my husband's passport for the clearance of our container. We live in Bangkok, so the movers came to get the passport themselves and brought it back to us a few days later. However, since we were in another city, we had to take it to customs ourselves...

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Eddie ********

Not sure what you are shipping but when we shipped to BKK from Ireland our Shipping Company dealt with the passport situation just using a copy and signature. That was 18 months ago so perhaps things have changed.

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Allan **************

So if you send your passport that's how many days with out your passport something happens in between police imagation hospital what ever and you haven't got your passport to show them?.

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Peter **********

Sounds dodgy to me.

I sent goods from Australia and was asked for a picture of my passport page and visa stamp in my passport. Nothing more than this.

Had no issues.

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Ange ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Peter *********

I've already supplied this and they are saying I need original. I called customs direct and they are saying original is standard procedure. How would you've got around that? Did you have a broker?

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Peter **********

no it was directly with the shipping company. I have a retirement visa so all was good.

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Peter **********

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Glenn *****

If you don't do it your things will be confiscated and destroyed. I have had it happen twice.

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Mari *********

Just went through the same thing back in April. An actual passport is needed so custom can stamp your passport. You are allowed to bring in your personal belongings without import tax one time. They just want to make sure you have not used this privilege before. For me, I had to drop off my passport at the shipping company (they have an office in Bangkok). My passport was returned to me 5 days later.

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Ian *******

why would they want to use your passport to confirm you have not used the import tax exemption previously? The stamp could be in an earlier passport. Surely they have a computer system where they record these details.

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Mari *********

They need to see your entry stamp in the passport. The custom then placed their own stamp next to the entry stamp. You have to be out of Thailand for at least a year in order to bring in personal items without paying an import tax. This was explained to me by the shipping company we used.

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Mari *********

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Bent *************

Paranoia is your problem, go see a doctor!

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Marty ******

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Marty ******

Suspect

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Steve **********

I would never let my passport out of my sight . Even if ok , it could get lost in transit😳

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Steve ****

They need to walk the physical copy over to customs.

Note - they are going to charge you a fortune for this.

You can go get the paperwork and try to clear it yourself if you’re brave.

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Jo **********

no

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Keith *******

I'd be very careful. In fact I wouldn't trust anyone with my passport. I won't let them take it at a hotel for photocopy the page unless I can watch them.

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Mike **********

I would never do that.

Way too risky

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Andrew **************

We shipped our stuff from Hong Kong To Thailand back in January and, as per your situation, the moving company required my wife’s original Thai ID and Passport which they returned with the delivery. So I think this is a normal requirement but if you feel uncomfortable you could go with the company representative to clear your goods through Thai customs. Good luck

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KO ********

@Andrew *************

same for us when we moved from Singapore and shipped our personal goods

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Ange ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Andrew *************

thank you for offering helpful information

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Ange ********

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Chuck **********

Never!

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Chuck **********

No!!!

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Andy *******

It's technically federal government property you don't let it out of your sight. The only exception maybe being Thai immigration

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Ken ********

Yeah don't leave your passport out of your sight..I think the consensus here is go there and present it..

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Gerry ******

exactly...

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Gerry ******

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Brook ********

First, I doubt FedEx will ever demand you send your passport. Why not call FedEx after looking up the phone number independently.

Second, I have been asked to show my passport and visa to Thai customs officials once. This took all of 10 minutes and is good for the term of your visa, I believe.

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Bob **********

there asking her to send the passport by Fed-X if you ship through Fed-X all customs tariffs are sorted by them

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Brook ********

never never never.

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Brook ********

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Jeremy ********

You could also make a journey to the bkk airport cargo area and talk to the FedEx representatives there…

obviously call first and setup an appointment so you the FedEx representatives and Thai immigration can all sit down and talk

Importing things to Thailand is super expensive so make sure you bring sufficient funds to clear your items out of the customs frustrated items customs hold area

Good luck

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Jeremy ********

Why don’t you just go to a local fedex store and inquire there

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Ange ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Jeremy *******

good idea thank you

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Bob **********

it’s customs you need to go see not Fed-X

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Jeremy ********

FedEx works as the intermediary between the 2

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Ange ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

yes true

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Bob **********

only if they shipped it

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Ange ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

yes we did

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Ange ********

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