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What are the best options for relocating with a DTV visa to Thailand, especially concerning shipping belongings and pet import rules?

DTV Visa Thailand Immigration Shipping Belongings Import Customs Taxes Pet Relocation Expat Life Moving to Thailand

Sep 16, 2025

2 days ago

Toni ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi everyone, I’m from Australia and have just been granted my DTV visa. I’ll be relocating permanently and bringing my two parrots with me. At the moment I’m deciding between shipping my belongings as freight or keeping things minimal. I do need to bring their large stainless steel cage at the very least, so I’m trying to figure out the most cost-effective way to do this. I’ve also heard that people who arrive on a DTV visa with freight shipments can get hit with heavy import customs taxes—can anyone confirm if that’s true?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

An Australian expat has received a DTV visa and is considering the best way to relocate to Thailand with their parrots, particularly whether to ship their belongings and the implications of import customs taxes. Community responses suggest minimizing shipped items due to high import taxes and encourage purchasing goods locally in Thailand. Concerns about bringing pets back to Australia are also highlighted.

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Anna *********

I’d keep things minimal My parents just moved to CM with normal luggage and purchased everything they needed ( furniture, electrical, kitchen etc) once they arrived

My mum did take some of her favourite kitchen things and my dad took a huge amount of classical music cds but they didn’t ship anything

As for your birds I have no advice but be aware animals are not easily able to return to Australia

Good luck

2 days ago

Fred *********

Relocating permanentatly on a toursit visa dont really make sens, make sure you dont tell them that at immigration

2 days ago

Toni ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Fred ********

why… if I’m 32 and have the DTV for 5 years and I work digitally, followed by 15 year Elite, followed by Retirement, it seems like I’m ticking all the boxes.

a day ago

Reply to

Toni ******

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

Import taxes are huge….bring as little as possible

2 days ago

Todd *********

Moves to Thailand on a tourist visa. Expect some serious speed bumps on this pathway

2 days ago

Toni ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Todd ********

I’m 32 and work digitally. Would be getting the elite visa 15 years option afterwards, followed by retirement. Makes sense and thought of this for a while.

a day ago

Todd *********

@Toni *****

It would absolutely make sense, in your stated case, from a user perspective to buy elite visa now over just using DTV/tourist now. Especially if bringing in animals. DTV is by no means whatsoever a residency visa. Yes, Elite is not cheap, but if you consider the cost per year with no hassles and the stability you want in Thailand, it seems to be the clear answer.

a day ago

Reply to

Todd *********

Judy *******

You should also be aware that should you want to go back to Australia you may have a problem getting your birds back in. A DTV is not forever

2 days ago

Toni ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Judy ******

correct and I’ve researched this hence why I said permanent. I’ll never leave my birds behind :’)

I’m 32 so the plan is DTV > elite 15 years > retirement :)

a day ago

Reply to

Toni ******

Bonnie *******

It might be easier to get things in Thailand. Is there a birding community you can ask?

2 days ago

Stuart *********

Keep things minimal as possible. Freight is expensive and yes it would be charged import duties and taxes.

They pluck a figure out of the air based on your bill of lading. If you question that charge then they’ll go through your items with a fine tooth comb and you’ll almost certainly get a higher charge and have to pay demurrage charges whilst waiting.

2 days ago

Reply to

Stuart *********

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What are the rules and requirements for bringing pets to Thailand regardless of visa type?

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