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

Visa Thai Customs Passport Safety Freight Clearance Expat Advice Shipping to Thailand

Jul 14, 2025

8 hours ago

Ange ********

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 the safety of sending their original passport via FedEx to Thai Customs in order to clear their freight to Thailand. Responses from the community range from extreme caution against sending the passport, emphasizing the importance of keeping it safe and within sight, to sharing experiences of requiring the original passport for customs clearance. Some suggest visiting customs in person or using a local shipping company to handle the process, while others affirm that it's standard for customs to require the original document for verifying personal belongings. Overall, the consensus leans toward avoiding sending the passport, as alternatives exist to ensure safe customs clearance.

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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

4 hours ago

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

4 hours ago

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...

5 hours ago

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.

5 hours ago

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?.

5 hours ago

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.

6 hours ago

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?

5 hours ago

Reply to

Ange ********

Glenn *****

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

6 hours ago

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.

6 hours ago

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

Paranoia is your problem, go see a doctor!

7 hours ago

Marty ******

7 hours ago

Marty ******

Suspect

7 hours ago

Steve **********

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

7 hours ago

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.

7 hours ago

Jo **********

7 hours ago

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.

7 hours ago

Mike **********

I would never do that.

Way too risky

7 hours ago

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

8 hours ago

Ange ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

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

thank you for offering helpful information

6 hours ago

Reply to

Ange ********

Chuck **********

Never!

8 hours ago

Chuck **********

No!!!

8 hours ago

Andy *******

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

8 hours ago

Ken ********

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

8 hours ago

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.

8 hours ago

Bob **********

@Brook *******

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

8 hours ago

Brook ********

@Bob *********

never never never.

8 hours ago

Reply to

Brook ********

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

8 hours ago

Jeremy ********

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

8 hours ago

Ange ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Jeremy *******

good idea thank you

8 hours ago

Bob **********

@Ange *******

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