Answered2 years ago

What are the taxing rules for shipping personal belongings to Thailand on a tourist visa?

Thailand visa rules shipping personal belongings customs duties Thailand guardian visas tax on personal items Thailand immigration

Sammy *****

asked Aug 10, 2024

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We are in Thailand on tourist visas and in the process of applying for guardian visas (pretty straightforward and our kids are on study visas and enrolled in an international school here).

Issue is, the company I shipped our personal belongings with from Canada is telling me our shipment is subject to duty and I'm expected to pay tens of thousands of THB before they release it? I did not know this and thought personal belongings were not subject to any tax. The shipping company says the only way to avoid this is to obtain a work permit. We did not plan for this...!

Any advice or insight please?!

Thank you!

Answer summary

The conversation revolves around a family's experience shipping personal belongings to Thailand on tourist visas. They were informed by their shipping company that their shipment is subject to customs duties, which came as a surprise since they believed personal belongings would not incur taxes. The shipping company indicated that only belongings shipped by individuals holding a work permit are exempt from these taxes, leading to a financial burden for the family. Various commenters contributed insights, confirming the duty requirements and suggesting alternatives, such as selling items before moving or buying new items in Thailand to avoid customs fees.

11 repliesnewest first

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John **********

We are in the midst of moving to Thailand from Canada and we were aware everything may be taxed inc used furniture and household goods so we sold them all with our house to avoid this which is unfortunate as most of our belongings were high end modern and one offs custom made for us

My wife is Thai and she's in Canada and the rules say that a Thai national living abroad may bring in personal items after 1 yr away but only 1 of each item so we just gave up and sold everything with the house

2 years ago

Lena *******

@John *********

We arrive in CM in four weeks and are still selling.

2 years ago

Bob **********

Leave it sell it ,just buy here it’s much cheaper you’ll probably get everything you want to ship here for what the customs tax will be

2 years ago

Lena *******

@Bob *********

We are in the process of selling in Australia and have four weeks left. People are low balling the low price so then we find people we like and give it away.

2 years ago

Bob **********

@Lena ******

trust me you won’t need a lot of it over here

2 years ago

Lena *******

@Bob *********

I know.

2 years ago

Sammy *****

Thanks all

2 years ago

Erik *******

Correct. You have to pay for it. Be prepared to pay various and unexpected “fees”…

2 years ago

Manuel *********

Personal belongings are only free one time of tax if you are holding a work permit sadly. Rest is treated like a normal import

2 years ago

Julane *******

@Manuel ********

that's what we were told too. You need a work permit for duty free on used items. Different taxes on different goods with electrical/electronic being very high. All our stuff was used too. We left everything in storage instead. A friend was taxed on every little thing so I had been warned.

2 years ago

Manuel *********

@Julane ******

yes when I moved for my new job with a work permit the first entry they waved the tax. Every after entry they got the tax.. 🥲

2 years ago