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What is the best way to bring personal items to Thailand without incurring import fees?

Shipping to Thailand Import Fees Expat Advice Moving to Thailand Customs Regulations Excess Baggage Used Items Importation

Sep 7, 2022

2 years ago

Istvan *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi 

I'm moving to Thailand end of this year. What's the best way to bring my stuff to Thailand. Not big things and i know i can buy everything in Thailand but have few things i don't want to buy again because not cheaper there. Can i send ad a package? How i can prove those are used items and not something else i want to sell in Thailand. I don't want they charge me with some fees, tax or anything.

Every advice welcome especially who already did this.

Update: Thanks i get all the information i needed 🙏

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The post discusses options for bringing personal items to Thailand without incurring heavy import taxes or customs fees. It suggests that shipping items may not be cost-effective compared to checking additional luggage on flights. Several commenters advise that items sent separately may still attract fees and could even get lost during shipping. Many recommend carrying personal belongings as luggage instead, while some share experiences of successfully sending items without paying duties by clearly labeling them as personal property. Advice also includes using luggage shipping services, and some express caution regarding specific shipping companies.

Ivan *********

Seven Seas do a small container if you want to go that way . They are based near Ashford Kent .My wife used to work for a Thai shipping company for 20 plus years - Be careful of tax,s of Tariffs .I will help if you need any practical advice.

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Istvan *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks all the answers. I'll stick to my 2 includes luggage and if really necessary add one more. Everything else over that will stay with my friend and will pick up in the future when I'll be back to visit him.

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Baz ******

Don't use seven seas shipping. Absolutely rubbish

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Sam ******

I see you said "not big things", but my experience might help anyway. I paid under 500K Baht (including customs clearance for 12K) for a 20 foot container load of stuff worth much much more than 500K. Very simple and efficient process with OSS worldwide movers.

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Paul **********

I'm guessing it depends what country you're sending from. I used parcel force from British Post office, I sent 6 boxes of clothes, trainers, hoodies, and other bits and pieces. I sent all six as a consignment, in total 38kg. Cost me £324, arrived at Thai address five days later. No import duties, no VAT, nothing at all to pay. I listed all items on customs declaration with value. And also wrote, all items were my own property not for resale.

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Jim ********

I just put my PC desktop computer and large studio monitors in bubble wrap in large suitcases. Two suitcases and a Carry-on. It depends on the airline. You may have to pay extra fees but I am glad I did it that way instead of shipping. For musical instruments or DJ controllers you should be able to carry on or they can stow away in special compartments designated for musical equipment. It really depends on the airline.

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Sean *********

I would sell everything I can, plenty of websites for nearly new stuff. Then by new in Thailand (full warranty) the money you make and the cost of postage and other fees, I would say not much in the difference

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Hovvard ******

I would fit everything into your checked bags. They most likely won't get looked at.

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David ***********

I use a company in London but can't remember the name, I had 4 boxes 32kgs each cost me £600 took 4 weeks

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Mark *********

As

@Martyn **********

said but not worth the costs. That items are used is irrelevant here. Expect to pay import duty + VAT. That is simply crazy. And they assess the value, what you declare irrelevant. Choose an airline that is cheaper on excess baggage (that is very variable) and, hopefully choose an airline where you can pre-book excess baggage (that is even more variable).

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Mark *********

There is. People seem to use it in an ergency. Maybe even at the airport. The problem is cost. Unaccompanied means customs duty plus Vat. With duty = assessed value not declared value and no allowance fo used which normally not charged. Thailand is singualr an tough. Send my baggage can though work elsewhere especiaaliy within EU. My guess is that is the maim use.

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Martyn ***********

theres a company called 'send my bag', sends luggage... But you need to send thai to thai for less hassle etc...

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Istvan *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

yap as i see this is the best way.

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Istvan *********

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Martyn ***********

Of you can't pay for extra luggage and bring yourself, don't bother not worth the hassle....

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Norman **********

often makes more sense to add luggage to your flight than to ship.

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Jonas *************

Swedish Cheese slicer - check!

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Istvan *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Jonas ************

i already know the city i spent a lot of time there luckily. ;)

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Norman **********

@Istvan ********

it's good that you spent time here. There are quite a few things that cannot be found here. I think it's smart to plan ahead and pack the stuff that's important to you.

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Istvan *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Norman *********

that's what I'm doing at the moment i have few weeks left. Try to organise everything ;)

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Istvan *********

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Jonas *************

Look at luggage prices, it can be pretty steep.... I'm not sure what things you're talking about. Most things you might not need otherwise bring some every time you travel.

Also keep in mind that starting from new, looking for stuff will make you know where to find stuff and get to know your new city!

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Istvan *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Norman *********

I'll do that. My ticket give me 2*23kg. Let's see when i packed maybe add 1 more and when is enough, enough if not, not

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Istvan *********

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Brandon ************

You can't prevent import fees. You're importing items and they will be assessed fees. There's also a good chance you'll never see the items again as they mysteriously go missing.

The reason a lot of people say to buy it in Thailand is because you're going to end up paying almost as much between shipping + customs for your old item as you would to just buy a new one. That an item is used isn't going to change this.

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Rob **********

@Brandon ***********

we shipped a whole container here from Australia using OSS they were great. Only 4 weeks door to door, nothing broken, nothing missing. No import duties were paid, but we put it my wife’s name, so as a a Thai National returning home, you pay no duty, just put used personal effects on the manifest, and only cost just over 6,000 AUD with insurance.

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Istvan *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brandon ***********

thanks... In this case I'll bring the most important once and maximum pick up the leftover later...

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Brandon ************

@Istvan ********

the only way to ensure the arrival of items and possibly avoid taxes is to bring them in your luggage. Anything else you ship separately is risky.

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Istvan *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brandon ***********

thanks that's will be the way

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Istvan *********

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