Answered2 years ago
What are my options for dealing with a phone stuck in Thai customs due to an NBTC license issue?
Basically i ordered a phone overseas that via DHL and customs said to DHL that this requires an NBTC license, so DHL is unable to clear the item.
I asked NBTC they said can not issue an import license because this variant is not on their database. I asked to send it back NBTC said then I would need an export license.
NBTC said they can issue an export license to send to another country but DHL said no because it's stuck in customs.
I contacted my lawyer friend here and he said after making some calls that it would cost more than the item, 20K THB so not too pursue it.
I also contacted some brokers there only few said that they can clear it but with fees exceeding the price of the item.
What to do?
I asked NBTC they said can not issue an import license because this variant is not on their database. I asked to send it back NBTC said then I would need an export license.
NBTC said they can issue an export license to send to another country but DHL said no because it's stuck in customs.
I contacted my lawyer friend here and he said after making some calls that it would cost more than the item, 20K THB so not too pursue it.
I also contacted some brokers there only few said that they can clear it but with fees exceeding the price of the item.
What to do?
Answer summary
The user is facing a dilemma with a phone ordered overseas that is stuck in Thai customs because it requires a license from the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) which cannot be issued as the phone is not in their database. Users suggest various options including claiming insurance, paying fees to clear customs, or simply buying phones locally in Thailand to avoid such issues in the future. Many emphasize the complications with DHL and recommend utilizing local purchase options instead.
39 repliesnewest first
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Martin *********
Walk
Aaron *******
Follow your lawyer's advice.
Gregor **********
lesson learned
Victor **********
I was in a similar situation. Paid 10k to some broker for a 25k phone.
There were two options actually:
1) “lump-sum” of 10k(a bribe, as I understood)
2) 25k “the right way”😀
There were two options actually:
1) “lump-sum” of 10k(a bribe, as I understood)
2) 25k “the right way”😀
Ryan ************
OP@Victor *********
do you have his contact by any chance? You didn't have to pay customs, storage and other fees but only one fee to get the item?Victor **********
@Ryan ***********
yes. Only this amount
Michael ********
You can pay the customs fees or refuse the item. But of course you lose the money you paid for the phone . Electronics are highly taxed in TH
Brian ***********
Another great DHL story . Love it..
Registered Airmail works fine. Use it or lose it.
Registered Airmail works fine. Use it or lose it.
Galenus ******
Buy a phone here🙏
John *******
Is this worth a post u got 2 options pay or walk
Simple
Simple
Ticha *****************
Contact any import custom agent for clearance to run paperwork for you. Never ask lawyer about HS code
Ryan ************
OP@Ticha ****************
They are quoting more than the price of the phone though.Ticha *****************
@Ryan ***********
contact import custom clearance agent and not custom officer. What port is your phone now? Laem Chabang or Suvarnabhumi?Ryan ************
OP@Ticha ****************
yes that's what i did. I emailed and reached out using like about 40 companies doing custom clearance. Only few said they can but with those fees. Some said if i don't have the license then i can't, just like dhl. It's in Suvarnabhumi.
Larry *******
Easy answer. Buy your phone in Thailand or go to another country and buy it and bring it in yourself
Daniel *******
DHL pushes these overly bureaucratic situations so they can gobble up money on service fees. You would have your phone right now if you had sent through normal mail, customs would probably had ignored your package or assigned a random license to it.
Jack ******
@Dan***
, spot on! DHL are the worst. They charge too much and create too many problems due to their “system”!
Roman **********
Customs officer wants new phone for family's birthday. Same deal with people that import drones.
Need to buy in Singapore or Thailand
Need to buy in Singapore or Thailand
Isaac *****
What country did you buy it in? Maybe someone from there will travel to Thailand soon ?
Ryan ************
OP
Jorge ****
Nothing you can do. This is a recurring problem and those who get lucky keep telling others to ship their stuff over. Somebody just got a free phone, the one you paid for.
Glenn *****
If you have access to Amazon they will take care of everything for you. They will even give a refund on customs if they over estimate
Trevor *********
Just go to the market and get one it’s thiland.
John ******
@Trevor ********
correct.
Steve *******
Should've bought the phone in Thailand, you'd probably have gotten a better deal anyways!
Us *****
What is so special about this phone that you cannot buy in Thailand? They obviously know you are trying to cheat their tariff system.
Sacher *******
@Us ****
What a silly assumption.Ryan ************
OP@Sacher ******
@Us ****
is one of these people who thinks he is smart af but actually dumb as rocks.Sacher *******
@Us ****
Dunno man. By the same logic, if you were a rock, your phone would too not be stuck in customs. But that wouldn't make you smarter than a rock because you'd be a rock.Us *****
@Ryan ***********
well my phone isn't stuck in custom so I am smarter than a rock.Ryan ************
OP@Us ****
not all phone brands are available here..
Sue **********
@Ryan ***********
May I ask what type of phone that is?
Tim *********
go to customs with cash
Braulio *********
TIT
Ian *****
Welcome to Thailand
Carlos *********
Claim the insurance on the package and watch it weed itself out,( probably with a fine). Although a phone is a very controlled item in thailand.
I sent a girl a diamond ring to thailand. ( I guess it's illegal to send diamonds into thailand), but when I claimed the insurance on the package, boy it showed up quick!!! With a fine
I sent a girl a diamond ring to thailand. ( I guess it's illegal to send diamonds into thailand), but when I claimed the insurance on the package, boy it showed up quick!!! With a fine
Ryan ************
OP@Carlos ********
You mean DHL insurance?Carlos *********
@Ryan ***********
you can insure any package with any carrier. Mine was with the postal service.
Brandon ************
You should forget about it. It happens all the time.
If you want to bring electronics into Thailand, do it in your suitcase when you're flying in. Otherwise forget about it.
If you want to bring electronics into Thailand, do it in your suitcase when you're flying in. Otherwise forget about it.
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