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Answered6 years ago

What should I do if my parcel is held at customs in Thailand?

Shell *****
asked Sep 17, 2020
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Question about Thailand customs/parcel clearance - In May I sent two small parcels (<2kg) via UK Royal Mail from London to Thailand arrived in 6 days no problems at all. Last week I sent a larger parcel (10kg) via TNT and paid extra because they advised 3-5 day delivery time. Not only has the parcel been delayed on route (Dubai and Singapore) but is now being held by FedEx in Bangkok and I’m being told I need to pay for a private clearance agent for them to release the parcel. Does anyone have experience of this happening???
Answer summary
A user shared their experience sending parcels to Thailand, noting that a larger parcel sent via TNT is currently held by FedEx, requiring payment for a customs clearance agent to release it. Other users responded with similar experiences, mentioning delays, customs charges, and advice on sending parcels to avoid issues, such as using simple packaging and listing lower values on customs declarations. Several suggested direct engagement with customs officials as a potential solution.
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Dave ***********
Dave ***********
I believe if you put a value figure under 1000 baht in the description on the custom declaration slip it wont get stopped and checked.
Jonny **********
Jonny **********
I was getting mail sent from my family in the UK to my address in BKK for the last year and a half. Big parcels, small parcels, heavy and light etc. Never had to pay a customs charge. Had a parcel sent in June and I had to pay 500 baht, it was some clothes and shoes. Last week I had a parcel arrive, three T-shirts, and was charged 1000 baht by customs!!Both sent via Royal Mail and charged customs by Thailand Post in BKK
Chris ************
Chris ************
A friend of mine imported a Huawei phone, came to Thailand through alibaba. Was told it was illegal, then was told had to pay duty 1000 odd baht, import permit 1000 odd baht, and fed ex did the clearance 1000 odd baht.
Pat *********
Pat *********
Had a similar thing happen when I had something sent from Australia, I just refused to pay and said to send it back.... about three days later I received the parcel....
Shell *****
Shell *****
OP
@Pat ********
did you have to pay anything to receive the parcel back in Australia?
Pat *********
Pat *********
After a serious exchange of words I did not pay.
Shell *****
Shell *****
OP
Thanks Pat.
Kay *****
Kay *****
You've been jacked.. Don't do that next time. Stick with the Royal mail.
Федор ********
Федор ********
Sorry for breaking in! Anyone have experience sending via USPS to Thailand recently?

The air carrier lost my baggage and now they found it and ready to send me.

But this is a new duffel bag with a new macbook in it. Im afraid that Thai custom will charge me.
Tony ********
Tony ********
Thai customs clearly state any parcels arriving with a value of 1,500 baht or more (CIF) are prone to taxes.
Wayne ********
Wayne ********
yes this happened to me fedex just dump it there and then customs want some extortionate rate to release it so i had to abandon my parcel and reorder again via EMS express mail service and arrived no problems try not to use couriers just EMS
Lea *****
Lea *****
I sent mail to Thailand and Vienna 2 times

1st time - normal mail (no problem, no extra changes, no delay)

2nd time - FedEx 😡 (twice the rates, delayed and recipient was told to pay charges equivalent to the amount of the amount I declared 😡😡😡)

Till now it is still stuck in suvarnabhumi FedEx cargo holding area.

Never choose FedEx or DHL ever 😡😡😡
Natalia ***********
Natalia ***********
@Lea ****
this happened exactly the same with me 🙄🙄🙄🙄
Poompui ************
Poompui ************
Shell *****
Shell *****
OP
I’m going to try to get someone to go to meet the customs as suggested. If I can’t arrange this, has anyone engaged a clearance broker/agent?
Leo *********
Leo *********
Yes, once. Customs were suspicious about the packet containing hand tools.
Leo *********
Leo *********
Yes. In Nongkai.
Leo *********
Leo *********
A long time ago. After opening the packet I could take the packet home. My family has been sending me my medication on a regular basis for the last 15 years. Never had any problems.
Shell *****
Shell *****
OP
@Leo ********
so you physically went to customs to collect the parcel?
Shell *****
Shell *****
OP
@Leo ********
how long ago? How was this resolved?
Laurent *********
Laurent *********
The best way is that you say to Fedex you want to go to meet custom near airport nd u want their staff to be with you. Be polied nd nice with custom or FDA and there is a good chance they will release your parcel if no medecine inside but you can abandon these. All other options is a waste of time. I just spent 3 months with similar case with UPS bangkok and overv200 emails. All was solved when i went to meet in person custom nd fda. You will loose
***
day but you will get your parcel.
Shell *****
Shell *****
OP
@Laurent ****
I’ve just sent you a direct message with a follow up question.
Shell *****
Shell *****
OP
@Laurent ****
thank you so much that’s really helpful 🙏🏼
Laurent *********
Laurent *********
Leslie *******
Leslie *******
Leslie *******
Leslie *******
I did pay ,5 time the price of a 18,speed bicycles,at the custom conter. ? Import they say.!!!.
Mark ********
Mark ********
i had to wait 2 months for some shoes sent airmail. I reordered same shoes which came in 10 days. Then a long time later the first package came. Its weird.
Jim ********
Jim ********
I send 2 parcels to my daughter last month. 1 was a higher priority one so I paid extra for a royal mail global priority (or whatever it was called) and one was sent by normal postage.

The normal one arrived in a similar 6 days to yours, the more expensive supposedly quicker one took 3 weeks.

Work that one out. Lesson learned I think.

To be fair it was held up in England for 2 weeks I think the covid backlog was the excuse.
Kevin *********
Kevin *********
I used parcel to go who used Fedex I posted a parcel on the 21st of July and it’s still stuck at customs. Nobody can tell me why.
Kathy ****************
Kathy ****************
One of the things that we have learned in sending packages to Thailand from America is that the larger the Box the more chances that it will be flagged, also if it has any postal markings on the Box it will be flagged.. Like we do not use flat rate USPS boxes we make everything as plain and simple as possible.. If they think that there is something of value in the Box they will flag it and charge extra for custom fees.. They also do random checks on packages.. I made the mistake of sending my granddaughter a new dress and left the tags on it and they charged custom fees on that.. On our declaration we will put homemade items used clothing, homemade items sometimes we have found that helps.. Our family is in the Bangkok area...
Ray *****
Ray *****
Fedex collect local customs charges in every country i have lived in, including the UK. Never use them now as other carriers manage to get things through without the charges abd hassles that Fedex offer
Carl ********
Carl ********
Yes, you should get your brown everlope out and its called corruption

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