What are the regulations for importing used household goods to Thailand with a non-O retirement visa?

Apr 13, 2024
8 months ago
Tim ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Recently received non-O retirement visa. What’s the deal with importing used household effects (clothes, shoes, bedding, desktop computer)…?

Can do duty free? Can do but no go duty free?

Any/all advice most appreciated.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
When moving to Thailand with a non-O retirement visa, many expats advise against bringing large quantities of used household items. Comments suggest that it may be more cost-effective to sell belongings and repurchase similar items in Thailand, citing the availability of everything from clothes to electronics. For those considering shipping items, there are regulations that allow for duty-free importation of household goods, but this may require careful consideration of the ownership and residency status of the sender. Overall, the consensus leans towards minimal luggage, typically just two large checked bags and a carry-on.
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John *********
@Steve ******
easy .I did it
Steve *******
@John ********
me, one suitcaseand back pack. Still threw things away after getting here. Many years ago
Steve *******
Not worth the hassle, and it will be. 2 suitcases thats it
John *********
If you send in container

Put everything in your wife's or g/f name
Steve *******
@John ********
stupid you can't just do that. There are implications
Paul ********
John *********
@Paul *******
no tax or duty if it is

Household goods
Marcel *******
@John ********
But only if she lived with you in your country. And she must not have lived in Thailand for more than 6 months at a time in the last few years before receiving the goods in Thailand.
John *********
Up to you mate
Mary ********
It is far cheaper to sell everything and rebuy new here.

We moved over with just a carry on and never looked back.
Steve *******
@Mary *******
just dump everything, start afresh
Jeffrey *******
You can buy almost everything here same as Amazon. Bring only your clothes and personal items. No more than two large checked bags and a carry on.
Mark *********
@Jeffrey ******
Airlines that allow pre-purchase of excess baggage have a place too. Pre-purchase can be cheap enough, not the punitive excess out of unplanned carriage. Also look for max freebie offering.
Jeffrey *******
@Ma**
yes, and when I arrived on Korean Air, the allowance was 2 checked bags and I paid for a third checked bag @$300.
Robert **********
@Jeffrey ******
seems like extra check bags have gone for 100 to 200 and now you say $300.
Jeffrey *******
@Robert *********
On Korean. Some carriers are only $200-$250.

Most long haul give 2 bags @23kg for coach or @30kg for biz. This was same for QR @25kg coach allowed two checked bags.

I had 150 lbs spread equally in three bags. That’s a lot of stuff.
Gordon ************
Bring yourself only 👍
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