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What should I expect while clearing customs with a work visa and multiple bags at Suvarnabhumi airport?
customsSuvarnabhumi airportwork visaThailand immigrationbaggage claimchecked bagsexpat advicevisa rules
Jun 17, 2025
10 months ago
Quinby ********
ORIGINAL POSTERI am coming through Suvarnabhumi airport in about a week. I have a work visa and I will have ~5 checked bags with me. Should I anticipate problems when I try to clear customs? If so, what should I anticipate?
TLDR : Answer Summary
When arriving at Suvarnabhumi airport with a work visa and multiple checked bags, it's generally expected that you will not face significant problems clearing customs. Many users suggest that customs officers may not check bags thoroughly, often seeming distracted. However, it is prudent to be prepared; ensure your items appear used and avoid bringing new goods. You will go through customs regardless of having something to declare, but the likelihood of being stopped is low. Experiences vary, with some travelers reporting no issues even with a large number of bags, while others recommend being cautious. If you have specific concerns, contacting customs ahead of time may be helpful.
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Peter ********
Just wait for it to roll out on the belt, it's just time waiting, no stress
Phil ******
@Quinby *******
simply we don't know but if this is your first consignment under your NonB then you won't be charged duties. Why not call customs and askViv *********
Why the concern? As long as you have nothing that needs declaring it is the same as if you have one suitcase.
Charles *******
Do not listen to any of these comments. Welcome to Thailand
Christopher ********
Done several times. No issue at all
Mark *******
Tea money...
Steve **********
'Just a tourist with eight large suitcases, nothing to see here" 🙂
Bent *************
Depends on what is in the bags 😂😂😂
Christopher ********
I come with that much each time.
Usually I follow someone with more luggage, like a group and let them go first and I kinda use them as a barrier while I go through and exit.
All times either they were busy or didn’t stop any of us.
Usually I follow someone with more luggage, like a group and let them go first and I kinda use them as a barrier while I go through and exit.
All times either they were busy or didn’t stop any of us.
Cabbie ******
When I came in via Suvarnabhumi with excess baggage I prepaid arrival assistance where I was met at the exit of the plane taken through immigration and they wheeled my baggage straight past customs - done twice - maybe the luck of the draw
Keith *******
Generally no problems as long as what your carrying is all legal. Don't underestimate the Thai.
Steven *********
Glad you asked this. I will be doing the same soon 5 checked bags. Appreciate all the responses. Baggage fee with JAL $600 USD for the three extra bags by the way.
Steve ***********
@Steven ********
wouldn't shipping the bags be cheaper?Brandon ************
@Steve **********
no because then you're guaranteed to have to pay duty for importing goodsSteve ***********
@Brandon ***********
what if you send it directly to a person living there?Brandon ************
@Steve **********
that's still importing...Reply to
Brandon ************
Reply
Fra *****
Of course if you are coming with 5 suitcases full of dead bodies
Steve ***********
Curious: what airline, andbwhat was the extra baggage fee.
Stephen ********
We came through in March with 8 large bags and a bike box without any problems. You will probably need a larger than normal taxi👍
Peter **********
I went through with 6 large suitcase. No problem. But I was a little nervous.
Phil *******
I think it is luck of the draw, I recently arrived with bags full of tools, not for work as I am retired, but a handyman, all at maximum weight. Straight through with nothing said. But I think there is always a possibility that you will be spoken too, but chances are slim.
Will ************
You’ll be fine all bags are scanned before loading onto the carousel so they know which ones to keep an eye on after they are collected
Bob **********
You only go through customs if you have something to declare
David *********
@Bob *********
Are you a person that travels very little? When you exit there are two lines. Nothing to Declare and Goods to Declare. Both lanes are patrolled by Customs Officers. What ever lane you exit there still a possibility to have your bags checked even if you went thru nothing to declare.Bob **********
@David ********
when exiting BKK there’s a sign to declare to the left otherwise do you fill out a declaration like Cambodia or other countries no I know there about checking for cigarettes is there main thing but you do not hand anything in to a customs officer I travel internationally about once a month my first multi re entry permit was used 17 times my first year living in ThailandJohn *******
@Bob *********
And every single time you returned…you went through customs. 😊Reply to
John *******
Reply
Brad *******
@John ******
 maybe the uncle looks shady?Bob **********
@Brad ******
you don’t want to find out 😎😎😎Reply to
Bob **********
Reply
John *******
@Bob *********
If you have ‘nothing to declare’ you still go through customs. Now tell us for the fourth time about your uncle, Av Giuliano. 🤭Braulio *********
@John ******
funny!!!Brandon ************
@Bob *********
The exits from the baggage claim area is customs, but they rarely do anything except play on their phones.Reply to
Brandon ************
Reply
Av **********
Don't listen to these people that say its fine. Yah most likely it will be fine but be prepared. Make sure everytbing looks old, nothing in new boxes and keep cash on u. My uncle just paid 100 usd to customs for 8 boxes of used goods coming through
Todd *********
@Av *********
that’s fine. Foolish move by the uncleReply to
Todd *********
Reply
Paul ********
Nah don't anticipate, enjoy the ride 🕶
Av **********
@Paul *******
literally I got pulled to side recently, my uncle, and many other people I know.Todd *********
@Av *********
that what immigration officers do. And try not to look so shadyReply to
Todd *********
Reply
Brandon ************
Just exit the baggage claim area like you come into Thailand every week and you know exactly where you are going and what you are doing. 99% of the time the customs people are playing on their phones and not even scanning bags anyways. Even when they are, they usually only grab a couple people randomly
Av **********
@Brandon ***********
that's not true. People get pulled all the time. My uncle just got pulled and had to pay 100 usd. I got pulled to the side...they have detectors that u walk through and if it flashes red those customs people come asap and xray and examine if u have to pay duties........she should be prepared with cash 💸 is the real answer and make sure everything in her suitcase looks old and not new.Jonnie *******
@Av *********
still a low % of passengers get pulled, I travel out/in on a near monthly basis, have done this for 17 years, I carry around two pieces total 35kg - 40kg luggage each time and only been checked once in all those years, on the other hand yes of course the likelihood would increase if carrying more luggage.Brad *******
@Av *********
funny I have been living here since 99 and haven’t seen that. You must have some inside sources, but I doubt it’s true. I’ve flown in and out of Bangkok hundreds of times and never been flagged. I just walk through like I own a place.Av **********
@Brad ******
im 38 been here since 12, ever since they installed those detectors at sb airport, they stop people more. Have you not noticed the flashing green and red light at the detectors you walk through? They are scanning your baggage then. If it turns red, your fucked. Ive been stopped twice this past year....and I kept walking. And that's when I physically was pulled back by a woman at customs. And why would flying out have anything to do with coming in the country? Customs doesnt check you on the way out...so what u mean being checked when going out?Reply to
Av **********
Reply
Wayne ********
@Av *********
You paid a $100 usd for what ?Av **********
@Wayne *******
here's a tip, many countries will tax u on electronics less than 6 months old if u have a non immigrant visa..so put stickers all over your electronics to make them look older and cheaperAv **********
@Wayne *******
8 boxes of used household goods....mainly books records vynal etc. They dont fuck around at customs...it could have cost a lot moreReply to
Av **********
Reply
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