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What are my options for dealing with a phone stuck in Thai customs due to an NBTC license issue?

Thai customsNBTC licenseimport issueselectronics importDHLcustom clearanceexpat adviceThailand
May 24, 2024
6 months ago
Ryan ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
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?
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TLDR : 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.
Martin *********
Walk
6 months ago
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Aaron *******
Follow your lawyer's advice.
6 months ago
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Gregor **********
lesson learned
6 months ago
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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”😀
6 months ago
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Ryan ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@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?
6 months ago
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Victor **********
@Ryan ***********
 yes. Only this amount
6 months ago
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Victor **********
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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
6 months ago
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Brian ***********
Another great DHL story . Love it..

Registered Airmail works fine. Use it or lose it.
6 months ago
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Galenus ******
Buy a phone here🙏
6 months ago
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John *******
Is this worth a post u got 2 options pay or walk

Simple
6 months ago
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Ticha *****************
Contact any import custom agent for clearance to run paperwork for you. Never ask lawyer about HS code
6 months ago
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Ryan ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ticha ****************
They are quoting more than the price of the phone though.
6 months ago
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Ticha *****************
@Ryan ***********
 contact import custom clearance agent and not custom officer. What port is your phone now? Laem Chabang or Suvarnabhumi?
6 months ago
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Ryan ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@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.
6 months ago
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Ryan ************
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Larry *******
Easy answer. Buy your phone in Thailand or go to another country and buy it and bring it in yourself
6 months ago
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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.
6 months ago
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Jack ******
@Dan***
, spot on! DHL are the worst. They charge too much and create too many problems due to their “system”!
6 months ago
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Jack ******
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Roman **********
Customs officer wants new phone for family's birthday. Same deal with people that import drones.

Need to buy in Singapore or Thailand
6 months ago
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Isaac *****
What country did you buy it in? Maybe someone from there will travel to Thailand soon ?
6 months ago
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Ryan ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Isaac ****
US
6 months ago
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Ryan ************
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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.
6 months ago
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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
6 months ago
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Trevor *********
Just go to the market and get one it’s thiland.
6 months ago
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John ******
@Trevor ********
correct.
6 months ago
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John ******
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Steve *******
Should've bought the phone in Thailand, you'd probably have gotten a better deal anyways!
6 months ago
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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.
6 months ago
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Sacher *******
@Us ****
 What a silly assumption.
6 months ago
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Ryan ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Sacher ******
@Us ****
 is one of these people who thinks he is smart af but actually dumb as rocks.
6 months ago
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Us *****
@Ryan ***********
 well my phone isn't stuck in custom so I am smarter than a rock.
6 months ago
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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.
6 months ago
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Sacher *******
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Ryan ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Us ****
not all phone brands are available here..
6 months ago
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Sue **********
@Ryan ***********
 May I ask what type of phone that is?
6 months ago
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Sue **********
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Tim *********
go to customs with cash
6 months ago
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Braulio *********
TIT
6 months ago
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Ian *****
Welcome to Thailand
6 months ago
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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
6 months ago
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Ryan ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Carlos ********
You mean DHL insurance?
6 months ago
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Carlos *********
@Ryan ***********
 you can insure any package with any carrier. Mine was with the postal service.
6 months ago
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Carlos *********
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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.
6 months ago
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Brandon ************
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