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What are the customs duties on personal possessions for a retiree moving to Thailand on a non-immigrant O visa?

Customs Duties Non-Immigrant O Visa Thailand Immigration Personal Effects Retirement in Thailand Household Items Duty Exemptions Customs Procedures

Feb 13, 2024

9 months ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Customs Duty - Does anyone know what personal possessions items (arrived by sea in container) duty is applicable to for someone who arrives from UK on a non-immigrant O visa with the intention of retiring? I thought I read somewhere that there is a very small list of items to which duty applies but customs seem to be charging duty on everything. Customs in Bangkok were provide my passport which shows the non-O stamp on it.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The discussion covers customs duty applicable to personal possessions shipped to Thailand by a retiree on a non-immigrant O visa. Users express frustrations over inconsistent customs charging practices, with reports of paying duty on both used and new items, despite regulations suggesting exemptions for personal effects. Factors influencing customs outcomes include the specific customs officer's discretion, the nature of items (e.g., new vs. used), and adherence to regulations about timing and documentation. To minimize potential issues, contributors suggest properly itemizing shipments and consulting knowledgeable agents.

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Amanda *********

Go to Thai kingdom web site there’s a list of what

You cannot ship

I itemised everything in each box

I haven’t used 75% of stuff i shipped !!!

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Peter ********

It depends entirely on the mood of the officer. I paid duty on used books, cds and some personal objects given to me as gifts. I paid more than they were worth, but I didn't want to lose them.

One of the boxes had been broken open and a few items were missing. No one accepted responsibility.

Welcome to Thailand.

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Mike *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Yep. My clearing agent sent me an email that said only limited items would be taxed since I was arriving on an non-immigrant O visa but customs practically taxed everything. The agent also said that they cannot do anything as the customs officer has made his decision. If I had known this then there is plenty of items I would not have brought. What a con. Cant wait to see whether anything is broken/missing when it arrives - expecting the worst!

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Mike *******

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Anne *******

Yep they charge customs on absolutely everything unless you are working.

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Thomas *********

did you have success in bringing things in duty free with a non imm B Visa?

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Anne *******

@Thomas ********

I was going to come in on a retirement visa but the shipping company told me if I did that I would have to pay customs on every single one of my belongings. That means the entire shipment. They told me if I got a job that my goods would be exempted. So I got a job.

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Anne *******

@Thomas ********

yes within six months of you arriving. Double check that.

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Thomas *********

thank you very much.

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Thomas *********

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Anne *******

@Thomas ********

but you have to bring your goods in within 6 months.

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Thomas *********

Thank you. Do you mean withinn 6 months of your initial arrival in Thailand? I am working at a university and have been here for 6 months

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Thomas *********

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Anne *******

@Thomas ********

they don’t charge any customs.

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Anne *******

@Thomas ********

if you are working

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Anne *******

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Julane *******

Exactly.

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Julane *******

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Sue **********

Especially electronics will be charged and very high, even if old, they look up how much the new price is

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Jeffrey ************

They'll scam you for every baht...

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Tom *********

From the source. That doesn't mean these rules apply to any specific situation. The officer you deal with will set the terms.

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Tom *********

short answer is yes. The proper paperwork will be required. Agents vary in competency. To avoid any surprises bring it up with them.

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Mike *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

All the items are used personal effects and household items and have arrived within the expiry of the initial non-immigrant O visa used for retirement purposes. So my reading of rules as per the attachment means that everything is liable for duty exemption and the clearing agent should submit an exemption request. Is that not right?

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Tom *********

used household goods are ok. If new items are included in the shipment duty applies.

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John *********

get your girl

to sign for all your items. Household goods are ok.

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John *********

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Judy *******

I assume your goods are already in Thailand? It all depends on how long ago since you got your visa and the officer on duty on the day. My relocation company covered the duty as part of my package

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Neil *********

It’s pot luck. When moved here I brought everything and also things like 6 of shower gels and lots of stuff in total 106kg

They tried to say I was selling it and I said don’t be stupid it’s mine so they let me off with it

The one thing they did say was if you are bringing in stuff and it’s new so like I brought shirts then take the tags off so then it’s less likely to get flagged up.

But it is pot luck unfortunately yes

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Paul ********

You can apparently only bring 1 of everything. So one bed 1 chair one table so I’m told

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Michael ********

Up to the Whim of the officer on the day.

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Michael ********

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