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What is the best way to ship a laptop to a friend in Thailand?
Laptop ShippingThailand CustomsExpat AdviceVisa and ImmigrationInternational ShippingElectronics ImportThailand Customs Regulations
Apr 8, 2024
2 years ago
Steven *********
ORIGINAL POSTERI want to start this question with a statement. I have experienced this group as one tha truly and consistently makes efforts to be helpful with clear responses.
This is an everything else question. I have a friend in Thailand who has a 16 year old son starting a tech program to become a fire fighter. He would greatly benefit from having a lap to and the family cannot afford one. I am in the US and just happen to have a very serviceable spare lap top that would do all he needs. It is even set up with a Thai keyboard. School starts for this young man in May.
Can someone give me counsel about how to best get it from here to there. I have read things about VAT, customs and shipping things with a battery that have me confused and a bit gun shy. I have checked with my Thai friends here and no one is going to Thailand for a while. Otherwise, I would just send it with them and have them mail it to mt friend's son once they arrived.
Any responses will be gratefully received. You could respond here, or even better, you could message me on Facebook. My name is Steven Mussack
This is an everything else question. I have a friend in Thailand who has a 16 year old son starting a tech program to become a fire fighter. He would greatly benefit from having a lap to and the family cannot afford one. I am in the US and just happen to have a very serviceable spare lap top that would do all he needs. It is even set up with a Thai keyboard. School starts for this young man in May.
Can someone give me counsel about how to best get it from here to there. I have read things about VAT, customs and shipping things with a battery that have me confused and a bit gun shy. I have checked with my Thai friends here and no one is going to Thailand for a while. Otherwise, I would just send it with them and have them mail it to mt friend's son once they arrived.
Any responses will be gratefully received. You could respond here, or even better, you could message me on Facebook. My name is Steven Mussack
TLDR : Answer Summary
A user seeks advice on the most effective way to ship a laptop to their friend's son in Thailand, who is in need of one for school. They express concerns about customs fees and restrictions, and while some users suggest using USPS, others recommend simply sending money for the family to buy a laptop locally, as shipping costs and customs duties could surpass the laptop's value. Suggestions also include finding someone traveling to Thailand who can carry the laptop, buying a second-hand laptop on Thai online stores, or utilizing local purchasing options.
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Colin ********
If you cannot trust them to buy it for them then better without
Steven *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Colin *******
The issue certainly is not one of trust. I want to do this because they are my friends It was an issue that the laptop I have here in the US that I wanted to give eclipses in all capacities and functions, any lap top I can currently afford to pay for over there, new or used.Reply to
Steven *********
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Colin ********
Just send the money to buy a new one, there are some very good affordable tablets and laptops available for 7000 thb and save all the hassle etc.
Tai *********
Not worth it. Just wire your friend some money to buy a laptop for his son. Laptops are not expensive in Thailand. He also can buy a used one.
Steven *********
ORIGINAL POSTERYeah. Thay is the recommendation I am consistently getting.. Thnaks foo responding.
Reply to
Steven *********
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Frank ******
Put it out on social media " anyone going to Thailand soon from ??? who can take a lap top " etc police check etc.
Robert *****
@Frank *****
He doesn’t indicate where he lives except the USA….lol..Steven *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Robert ****
OregonReply to
Steven *********
Reply
Sionann ******
Can I have a free laptop too, I really need one🙏
Steven *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Sionann *****
I appreciate your asking but cannot afford one let alone two. 555Sionann ******
@Steven ********
please give it to the poor Asians, they have done such a good job at making all believe in their sad stories.Steven *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Sionann *****
I feel blessed to know these people. I am sorry you apparently have had negative experiences. These people are my friends and I am very grateful when I have the means to help them as I would with any of my friends. I wish for you days of happiness and that you find a friend or benefactor to help you out in you need for a lap top.Reply to
Steven *********
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Richard ********
Go to customs or an agent and send through them.the same as everyone else who sends something OS.
Steven *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Richard *******
Thanks, Any agents you recommend?Richard ********
@Steven ********
Google itReply to
Richard ********
Reply
Bent *************
A lap can be bought very cheap in Thailand
Steven *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Bent ************
Thanks The lap top I have to send is much better than what I can afford to buy even in Thailand, but I am learning that unless I can find some here traveling to Thailand I am stuck with the route of buying there.Reply to
Steven *********
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John ********
Where are you located?
Steven *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *******
USASteven *********
ORIGINAL POSTERThanks
John ********
@Steven ********
I was thinking maybe someone close to you might be able to help.Reply to
John ********
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Ben **********
Plenty for sale second-hand in Samui
****************************************************************
Steven *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Ben *********
Thanks!Reply to
Steven *********
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Us *****
Just buy him a laptop. You are thinking too much.
Steven *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Us ****
Yeah, I can do that sometimes. ThanksSteven *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Us ****
Your idea is a good one. I was trying to not go outside my budget by giving him a much better laptop than I can buy that I already haveReply to
Steven *********
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David ***************
Would a tablet work for him? They are not expensive here in Thailand, can get a decent one for 5-10,000 b
Steven *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@David **************
Apparently a tablet will not work. Thanks for the suggestion thoughReply to
Steven *********
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Debbie ******
Messaged you.
Terary **********
A friend send me a laptop and claimed $100 insurance, I still had to pay a hefty sum for duties. Laptops care $300 locally and probably come with a Thai keyboard.
Steven *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Terary *********
I have heard many such storiesReply to
Steven *********
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David *******
They usually have a seaboard shipping deal.
Steven *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@David ******
Not sure what that isReply to
Steven *********
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David *******
Just pipping in here. Not sure even sure it’s possible. But check to see if there is a Thai community near you and ask how they send items to Thailand.
Steven *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@David ******
Have done that. They wait for a friend to go to Thailand and just send it with themReply to
Steven *********
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Bart **************
We bought a new Lenovo laptop in Thailand for just about $350. Low spec but good enough for text processing, MS Office and the like. Just on their own website.
Lenovo used to have unacceptably bad chargers, with the 'block' right at the plug, so gravity pulls it down continuously, damaging the plug. You couldn't pack the cable either without damaging, because you'd squeeze angles into the cable doing so. But our new Lenovo came with a good charging cable instead. Plug and block separate now, and the cable is coming out at a 90° angle, preventing unintended angles when squeezed that cause cable breaches. Very small but very essential improvement by Lenovo, so I'm not putting them off the viable options list anymore. Overall we're happy with the laptop.
Lenovo used to have unacceptably bad chargers, with the 'block' right at the plug, so gravity pulls it down continuously, damaging the plug. You couldn't pack the cable either without damaging, because you'd squeeze angles into the cable doing so. But our new Lenovo came with a good charging cable instead. Plug and block separate now, and the cable is coming out at a 90° angle, preventing unintended angles when squeezed that cause cable breaches. Very small but very essential improvement by Lenovo, so I'm not putting them off the viable options list anymore. Overall we're happy with the laptop.
Steven *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Bart *************
thanks. Will look into itReply to
Steven *********
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Jeffrey ************
The family can buy a second hand off Facebook marketplace.
Steven *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jeffrey ***********
good idea. Will checkReply to
Steven *********
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Michael *******
Wise to ask, sending these items by courier is secure, however local charges on arrival from both Customs and the carrier will probably make it cheaper to buy here, I spent my career at DHL & UPS so I know how they operate - finding a “courier” is the next best option, easy to send it domestically in the US if you can find someone to bring it over for you
Steven *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Michael ******
thanksReply to
Steven *********
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Kris *********
Shipping and import tax cost might be higher than the value of the laptop. In Thailand you can find usable second hand laptops for 7000 Baht or better, new ones for
*****
Baht. These are not gaming machines....only for office use, and browsing.Steven *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Kris ********
ThanksReply to
Steven *********
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Jorge ****
I have bought used laptop from "JM505 computer service" thru Lazada. Based near Rankhanhem in BKK. $250 seemed like a good price for an HP. Still using it. Good luck
Steven *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jorge ***
Thanks. Will look thereReply to
Steven *********
Reply
กะลาสี *****
Honestly, you'd probably save some money if you buy him a new 12,000 Baht laptop on Lazada and just have it delivered to his house. A 12,000 Baht laptop will do any task a student needs. Also, Songkran sales are beginning now so you might get one for 10K vs 12K. Try Power Buy, Lazada or Shopee.
Steven *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@กะลาสี ****
Thanks for you kind and clear information.กะลาสี *****
@Steven ********
you're welcome. Hope you were able to work something out that wasn't too costly.Reply to
กะลาสี *****
Reply
Steve **********
@กะลาสี ****
wire him $300. He'll hap laptop tonight.Steven *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Steve *********
I will talk to his mom about thatReply to
Steven *********
Reply
Steven *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@กะลาสี ****
thank I will look thereSteven *********
ORIGINAL POSTERI will check it out. Thanks
กะลาสี *****
@Steven ********
actually having thought about it, I would order from Power Buy. It is possible you could get a knock off at one of the other sites. If you go with Power Buy, you should get the genuine article (e.g. Asus, HP, etc.)Reply to
กะลาสี *****
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Robert *****
Where are you and where are they…?
Steven *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Robert ****
i am in US and they live in a small village in Khon Khen provinceReply to
Steven *********
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Bob **********
If he’s Thai send it in his Thai name can help bypassing customs
Steven *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Bob *********
Thanks. That is new information.Reply to
Steven *********
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Ross **********
Why don’t you send him some money, to buy for himself in Thailand ?
Steven *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Ross *********
The lap top I had wanted to give him was a higher end one I replaced. My business bought it when zi was working. Now retired and could not afford such a lap top nowReply to
Steven *********
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Michael ***********
My wife bought an external battery for her phone here in the USA. Got through Thai immigration just fine. On the way home, Thai immigration threw it out right in front of us.
So there is a story.
So there is a story.
Steven *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Michael **********
I lost a battery that way one time. The explained to me battery size limited to20,000 and that my battery did not indicate size on the labelingBrandon ************
@Michael **********
immigration has nothing to do with your belongings. Most likely it was airport security. The only people who would have done anything on the way to Thailand would have been US airport security.
Reply to
Brandon ************
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Janin ******
Best thing is ask around on different sites from Thailand if there’s someone who would take it with them. As customs is very dependable on who sort out your parcel. (I already find out in the past) good luck 👍
Geoffrey **********
@Janin *****
DON'T !!! I would never take anything for anyone ! What if someone puts drugs or contraband in it ???!!! Do you want to be involved?Steve **********
@Geoffrey *********
good rule if thumb...just don'tSteven *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Geoffrey *********
sound advice in many circumstancesReply to
Steven *********
Reply
Steve **********
Steven *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Steve *********
Yeah. I am getting a very clear picture that my good idea is a flop and I need to find an alternative. Thanks.Reply to
Steven *********
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Steven *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Janin *****
thank you very muchReply to
Steven *********
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Garrett ***********
Besides the potential of being taxed, shipping is going to be expensive too. For probably close to the same cost as the shipping, you could buy him a 2nd hand laptop here for $300
Steven *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Garrett **********
Thanks so much forReply to
Steven *********
Reply
Brandon ************
Shipping anything electronic is very risky. The odds that it'll get held at customs is very high, and very often they'll demand a payment that's as much as the item is worth or more in order to retrieve it. Regardless of what you write on the customs slip about it being used or what the value is, they'll decide the value they want to use for the tax and charge that.
As you said, the best way is for someone to bring it with them.
Barring that, if you still want to try, the best option is shipping it via the USPS rather than someone like UPS or Fedex. I've seen more success stories using the regular post office, but I have no personal experience beyond what I've read.
As you said, the best way is for someone to bring it with them.
Barring that, if you still want to try, the best option is shipping it via the USPS rather than someone like UPS or Fedex. I've seen more success stories using the regular post office, but I have no personal experience beyond what I've read.
Steven *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Brandon ***********
thank you @Brandon ***********
Reply to
Steven *********
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