Answered2 years ago
What are the customs tax rules for shipping personal items to Thailand, especially clothing and household goods?
Customs tax for personal clothing, and households stuff on DTV?: The old rules state that if you have a work permit or some sort of visa to stay long term in thailand, you can avoid paying customs tax
I'm just shipping one box with used clothing, an air tight / vacuumed wrapped pillow, and some random cables and such
Less than $100 in value at most.
Will they tax me? Because one time I shipped my Debit card to Thailand and they made me pay 30 baht to receive it (why?)
I'm just shipping one box with used clothing, an air tight / vacuumed wrapped pillow, and some random cables and such
Less than $100 in value at most.
Will they tax me? Because one time I shipped my Debit card to Thailand and they made me pay 30 baht to receive it (why?)
Answer summary
When shipping used clothing and personal items to Thailand, customs tax can apply even for items with a low declared value. Many users report varying experiences, indicating that while some packages may go through without issue, others can incur significant customs fees. Generally, personal belongings sent via post have a better chance of being tax-exempt if declared below a certain value (often around $50). It is suggested to transport items in luggage when possible and to be aware of regulations that allow one duty-free container of household items if relocating to Thailand under specific circumstances.
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Derek *****
Less than 50 USD is tax free via normal post service - send 2 parcels or declare under 50 bucks
David ********
Random cables ... you can buy them cheap online in Thailand. A pillow? Seek help.
Pack your clothes in your luggage. What you can't fit leave at home
Pack your clothes in your luggage. What you can't fit leave at home
Michael *********
I'd say odds are better if you send by post, avoid DHL, FedEx etc. I got my laptop through no problem with USPO delivered by Thai Post. But it's always a gamble 🎲
John ********
You will be taxed and it's going to cost you more than the stuff is worth, it's not worth sending, use your suitcase and bring it in that way
Janelle *****
OP@John *******
I can’t. Overweight and already have 4 luggage’s I’m bringing back to my condo from the USA . So not worth $200 per pegJohn ********
@Janelle ****
then if possible ask a friend to bring them for you when they come to see you or leave them with a friend and when you go back home pick them up from your friendJanelle *****
OP@John *******
I don’t have any friends legit :(
Ticha *****************
Make a packing list and took pic of it or pic when you wear those items. If it arrived and courier asked you to pay xxx amount and it's exceeding the value. You can use packing list and pic to re-assess. 30% for tax from CIF
David ********
@Ticha ****************
customs decides the value.Janelle *****
OP@Ticha ****************
that’s genius 😂 I’ll put tons of photos in there
Bob **********
Your on a tourist visa
Cliff *********
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55Janelle *****
OPCliff *********
@Janelle ****
KapVon ***********
You are GONNA pay! I shipped a Harley jumper to a Thai friend, I put the value at what it cost, equal to 1000 Baht, when the person got the package 📦 the Customs 🛃 Service put 860 baht duty on it and would not release the package from the Post Office till duty was paid.
You may get VERY lucky as I had no issue from 2012 to 2019… but things have definitely changed.
If you want your clothing items badly, expect to pay Customs Import Tax even if they are YOUR own property. TIT.
You may get VERY lucky as I had no issue from 2012 to 2019… but things have definitely changed.
If you want your clothing items badly, expect to pay Customs Import Tax even if they are YOUR own property. TIT.
Giorgio ******
@Von **********
bad luckVon ***********
@Giorgio *****
as stated in a previous REPLY, I sent the package as a gift to a friend, THEY had to pay the duty, not ME.Giorgio ******
@Von **********
yeah have to pay custom duty on gift .nothing new here . even though it can be randomJanelle *****
OP@Von **********
how did you pay the duty ? Online to them?Von ***********
@Janelle ****
the recipient had to pay upon collection. I sent them to a friend that wanted the jumper as they could not buy it at a Harley dealership there.Do you know anyone there to send your package to? Have them collect it and pay them the duty?
Janelle *****
OP@Von **********
I’m sending it to myself at my condo. I don’t know anyone
Matty ****
Personally.. I would just buy all new stuff over here
Janelle *****
OP@Matty ***
that’s impossible . No harajuku clothes in Thailand !Matty ****
@Janelle ****
I'm almost certain you can find any kind of clothes you need hereJanelle *****
OP@Matty ***
no you cannot find Japanese style clothes that I wear. And I’ve made many clothes myself too
Nongnuch ********
the rule is (or was) : If you emigrate to Thailand, are married to a Thai wife, you can ship one (and only one) container of households items customs free, within six months of you settling down in Thailand
Stelio ***********
@Nongnuch *******
what do they consider a container I wonder?Janelle *****
OP@Nongnuch *******
how about just a small box? I have the dtv so idk if this countsBrandon ************
@Janelle ****
You are not married to a Thai and you don't have a marriage visa, so no, it doesn't count.Janelle *****
OP@Brandon ***********
rip me .
Steve ****************
my bank sent me an atm card via DHL, no tax. before leaving the USA, my wife shipped 2 boxes here by boat through a thai company in NJ and was told that if a thai person picked them up with ID, no tax . my brother in law did and it worked
Janelle *****
OP@Steve ***************
lucky
Jack ****************
I've never had trouble in the provinces. I had them try to extort me in Phuket. Some guy took the package, they sent me an email referring me to someone's private email, and when I went into customs they claimed there was never a package, "but maybe if you talk to the person who emailed you can work something out"
Janelle *****
OP@Jack ***************
so what happened after this?
Boran *****
30 baht customs tax upset you?
Tony **********
@Boran ****
it's okay, I had the same question in my mind when I had a debit card sent via FedEx. The one that was sent via DHL wasn't taxed. Go figure.Janelle *****
OP@Tony *********
ya mine got taxed for Dhl I thinkJanelle *****
OP@Boran ****
that’s insane cause there was no cost to me or printed on the package at least . A company sent it so idk hahaJanelle *****
OP@Boran ****
no I just thought it was odd for a debit card
Jordan *******
@Janelle ****
you got taxed on the shipping cost not the debit card lolBrandon ************
If they stop it, it will get taxed. There is no exemption. And expect the tax to make it not worth it. You will be taxed on the value that they assign, even if you have receipts. Plus you'll be taxed on the shipping cost.
The only good way to bring things into Thailand is in your suitcase. Anything else is subject to being held and taxed a ridiculous amount. Some people get lucky, some do not.
The only good way to bring things into Thailand is in your suitcase. Anything else is subject to being held and taxed a ridiculous amount. Some people get lucky, some do not.
Janelle *****
OP@Brandon ***********
no I won’t want to abandon it . The clothes are really nice from harajuku so I can’t find them anywhere else . I’ll just pray
Janelle *****
OP@Brandon ***********
I can’t really justify paying. $250 overage charge for my suitcases if I were to keep them in there :( You saying they’ll tax my used clothes higher ?
Brandon ************
@Janelle ****
they definitely won't tax them as used. But you might be one of the lucky ones and your package just comes right to you without any tax.Brandon ************
@Janelle ****
Don't know. You could send 3 boxes with the same exact thing in them and you'd likely get a different amount each time. $250 does seem like a lot though. You have the option of just abandoning the package if it's too much.Janelle *****
OP@Brandon ***********
right but what I’m asking is do you think it’s gonna be life than $250? These are cheap clothes from Japan lolActivity
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