Answered2 years ago
What is the process for customs clearance of household items for DTV holders coming into Thailand from Malaysia?
Import Clearance for Household items: we (both hold dtv) want to bring personal items like tv, fridge, steamcooker, silverware, linens, a lamp etc into Thailand coming from Malaysia. Via Landroute/by small Truck.
Has anybody experience for customs clearance in this specific case (ONLY DTV- connected!!)
All stuff is used and personal etc. Please NOOOO general advice, i googled it all and had many calls already with customs. I ask for real life experience from dtv holders only.
to be clear: this is NOT about things you fly in in a suitcase.
Has anybody experience for customs clearance in this specific case (ONLY DTV- connected!!)
All stuff is used and personal etc. Please NOOOO general advice, i googled it all and had many calls already with customs. I ask for real life experience from dtv holders only.
to be clear: this is NOT about things you fly in in a suitcase.
Answer summary
This discussion revolves around the challenges faced by DTV visa holders trying to import personal household items into Thailand from Malaysia. The participants share their experiences and the complexities of customs clearance, highlighting that only specific visa types might qualify for tax exemptions. It is noted that DTV holders could face challenges as their visa status does not typically allow for easy customs exemptions, especially compared to non-B visas. Some recommend buying new items in Thailand due to potential issues with customs and the value of imported items, while others share anecdotes of varying customs experiences, suggesting that importing by land might be less scrutinized than by air.
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David ********
Condos come with all that stuff when you rent them. To get your DTV you proved you have cash, don’t be tight 😂 use Lazada or shopee
Jens ********
OP@David *******
not at all helpful.Paul *******
By land, you can probably bring in just about anything provided it's not too big. They don't check on the Thai side, unless it's really large and bulky.
마리오 ***
Maybe better for you to stay in Malaysia if you find this frustrating.
마리오 ***
It’s a tourist visa….
John **********
Import tax exemption requires a work permit in my view.
Paul *******
@John *********
Possibly. In practice, I don't think customs cares. You can show your work permit and still have to pay taxes and duties. Best to use a Thai person's name for importing, but even then, some types of goods will still attract duties. Importing by land (crossing from a neighboring country by car) is the easiest - unless the goods are very large and bulky, they won't even be noticed. Even if they are, it's a cheap and quick process to get them across compared to anything coming in via air/sea or the postal system.
Sunisa ************
Under typical regulations, you are exempted from import tax on personal effects only if you hold a one-year non-immigrant visa along with a valid work permit.
DTV visa holder is not permitted to work and not allowed to stay in Thailand longer than 180 days per each entry. It implies that you're not considered a tax resident of Thailand, hence you might not be able to enjoy the tax exemption.
DTV visa holder is not permitted to work and not allowed to stay in Thailand longer than 180 days per each entry. It implies that you're not considered a tax resident of Thailand, hence you might not be able to enjoy the tax exemption.
마리오 ***
You maintain your legal residence elsewhere because DTV isn’t a residence visa - it’s a tourist visa. If you are planning on actually residing in Thailand then you should get an appropriate visa.
Jens ********
OP@Sunisa ***********
so how do you stay 10 half years (actual duration of visa) without your belongings?
James ********
@Jens *******
you plan carefully and buy what you need when you are in Thailand.
Jennifer ******
From what I understand, only non B visa (work visa) will have custom exempt. There is Samsung factory here so replacing your TV and fridge is very cheap.
Paul *******
@Jennifer *****
I doubt any customs agent will look at your visa and say "this one is tax exempt" and "this one is not". This is Thailand. In practice, your ability to charm your way through the process, speaking Thai etc will help more than what visa you're on. It's also easier importing by land than by air or using the postal system.If importing by air, always use a Thai person's name (such as your Thai wife or Thai husband).
Jens ********
OP@Paul ******
Helpful 🙏Jennifer ******
@Paul ******
import a 2 door fridge by air or post?Paul *******
@Jennifer *****
Well, fridges would probably be imported by sea in most cases. Air freight is a possibility too, though expensive and not worth it.Jens ********
OP@Jennifer *****
it is a bit more than this. and our stuff is special to us. you sell it for no money and buy it for some thousand usd again…
Julie ***********
@Jens *******
I don’t have the contact but a friend did it from Hong Kong, and basically you can negotiate a fee for the container no matter what is the value inside. Some logistics partners will deal with the customsJens ********
OP@Julie **********
i have moved in this dealing direction…Jennifer ******
@Jens *******
then be prepared to pay customs.Jens ********
OP@Jennifer *****
i will 😒
Irene ******
I've moved in the last 15years 3 times to different south-east asia countries and the most convenient thing is to sell all your items and buy new ones in the new destination
Flemming ********
DTV is a tourist visa. If you import anything, you will pay for customs clearance. And they are not easy to deal with.
Things are cheap in Thailand, buy some stuff once you arrive. A truckload of different stuff, is asking for trouble.
Things are cheap in Thailand, buy some stuff once you arrive. A truckload of different stuff, is asking for trouble.
Sefton ********
@Flemming *******
Things are cheap in Thailand ?? Really ? Not luxury things !! When I came I imported 10s of 1000s in audio gear,. projection cinema back 25 years ago when that wasnt budget like now.. High end gear..
That stuff is multiples of the cost here than in the west. B&W speakers are 1.6 million baht from B&W in bangkok !!! Cheap ?? Not for the premium things.
Flemming ********
@Sefton *******
he was talking about a Samsung fridge and a flat-screen.Sefton ********
@Jens *******
General consumer stuff easily available.. Premium items only thing to consider.. Hard to obtain and the import costs, inefficient dealer / supply chains, and small local market make the prices crazy high.
Jens ********
OP@Flemming *******
these were examples to draw a picture… there is much more…Jens ********
OP@Flemming *******
i know… but throwing away my 70 inch tv, my samsung side by side fridge?
Quincy *******
@Jens *******
dude, it's not 2009 anymore. 70 in TVs and side by side fridges are commonplace and cheap. I paid $2,500 at Sears for my 70-in TV back in 2014. Now, I can walk into a store and buy one for less than $1,000 AmericanJens ********
OP@Quincy ******
hkney, there is more, and it is my stuff, not random exangeable goods…Sefton ********
Generally I just pay the extra baggage fees and hand carry everything or book it as sporting goods on the plane.. Some of my airport arrivals have been comical.
Sefton ********
@Paul ******
all about the envelope. A friend was importing goods, there was a fee that was a fixed price but inspection and a bigger fee for a (claimed) 'don't open' the container. Can you imagine what comes in to the country on the 'don't look' fee??
Same guy imported a pinball machine (considered a gaming machine like fruities) and he paid for it to be 'illuminated furniture' for about 30k 🤣🤣
Paul *******
@Sefton *******
Correct and that's where it gets tricky. Importing anything by air or sea and customs can get very crafty and strict.Sefton ********
@Paul ******
agree. But then you have be coming from a neighbour country. Otherwise it's ship or air, 99% clears in Bangkok for that
Paul *******
@Sefton *******
Bringing in goods by air vs land by car is very different. Customs is much more lax when you bring in things by car, than by air.Sefton ********
@Jens *******
fridges and TVs ?? Wouldnt even consider it.. Tools ?? Top shelf things ?? Audiophile amps and speakers ?? Luxury goods that cost multiples here are the only things I would consider.
Flemming ********
@Jens *******
no, sell it. It's really not worth it. No one can say exactly what to expect, it could depend on the mood of the officer that day.
But get as many stamps, they love official looking things.
And make at least 4 copies of every document you can think of.
Get the original reciepts for the things you want to bring.
I have moved to 4 different countries, every time, I'm bringing less
Greg ********
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1_01Jens ********
OP@Greg *******
been there ofc.Sefton ********
Theres no clear rule that you can feel sure of. When I came (a long time back and on a marriage visa) I had everything correct to qualify for tax free import, they didnt care.. Even when I printed the rules in Thai and gave hime the proof it was duty free he simply refused to look at the paper.. They have your stuff and can ransom it back based on what they feel its value is.. Thats the simple reality. You are asking for black and white rules in a grey world !!
In my case it was a week long argument, with the final straw being him looking at 7500 USD worth of marble audiophile speakers and saying 'maybe we need to crack those open to check inside'.. 🤣 Its a long and funny tale but cant be bothered to type it all again.
That said generally a clearance agent is more expensive than the bribe, I got my bribe down from almost 100k to 15k cash to the big boss at lunchtime (that way he didnt have to share to the underlings). Many times people say 'I didnt pay anything my agent cleared it' and then it turns out the agent fee was 40k or 50k.. Where do they think that money went too ??
In my case it was a week long argument, with the final straw being him looking at 7500 USD worth of marble audiophile speakers and saying 'maybe we need to crack those open to check inside'.. 🤣 Its a long and funny tale but cant be bothered to type it all again.
That said generally a clearance agent is more expensive than the bribe, I got my bribe down from almost 100k to 15k cash to the big boss at lunchtime (that way he didnt have to share to the underlings). Many times people say 'I didnt pay anything my agent cleared it' and then it turns out the agent fee was 40k or 50k.. Where do they think that money went too ??
Kevin **********
@Sefton *******
very good advice...very trueGreg ********
@Sefton *******
I know a guy who imports machinery. He says it is easier to go and negotiate yourself and often cheaper than an agent if anything gets stuck :-)Sefton ********
@Greg *******
yeah I do all things like this myself.. Sure theres frustrations and pain points.. But over time they also get to know you (I order stuff from overseas I cant get here constantly) and if it comes to customs (not fedex / dhl / courier) can generally get it at a 'reasonable' rate.
Greg ********
@Sefton *******
I think it is the same with the guy I know. He has been in Thailand 35 years and machinery in and out all that time.Activity
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