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What should I know about shipping bulk personal items like a record collection to Thailand?

Shipping to Thailand Customs Duties Personal Effects Record Collection Import Regulations Expat Life in Thailand Moving to Thailand

Nov 6, 2025

14 hours ago

Jeffrey **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Planning on moving to Thailand with the family from the Philippines.  We will ship most of our kitchen appliances etc.   I would like to ship my record album collection ~3500 albums, based on what I have been reading, I would be paying hefty taxes and duty fees???    Does anybody have any information on shipping bulk items such as this?  (these are personal use, not for resale)

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TLDR : Answer Summary

Moving to Thailand can involve complicated customs regulations, especially when shipping bulk personal items like a large record collection. Many users report varying experiences with customs, where fees can be high and are often assessed based on the perceived value of the items, not just the shipping costs. It is advisable to prepare a detailed inventory and consider hiring a lawyer for negotiation with customs if faced with hefty charges. Personal belongings are generally subject to tax, but determining the exact cost prior to shipping can be difficult.

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Sylvia ********

I moved here 25 years ago and air freighted 19 boxes of personal effects, NOTHING new. They arrived after myself and on arranging collection the customs asked for 100,000 baht, more than the freight costs! Being a newcomer, although had visited for 15 yrs I then hired a lawyer, to negotiate and they managed to half the bill. You won't know til the goods arrive, maybe hire a door to door delivery and ensure you have a detailed inventory with values listed.

5 hours ago

Wayne *****

Moving ftom Savannah, Georgia, USA next June. Only want to ship a SMALL AMOUNT of family momentos. Any suggestions to how snd who to use????? Son is going to Japan both some collectable coectoons boxed up also. HELP !!!! MY THAI WIFE SHIPPED A COUPLE OF BOXES FROM THAILAND TO CALIFORNIA AND AFTER SHIPPING COST. CUSTOMS, BILLS F LASEN, LOST ABOUT $5,000 ON ONLY $1,500 WORTH OF JUNK SHE SHIPPED TO SELL HERE!

5 hours ago

Kim *******

You're going to get screwed one way or another. It's just a question of how deep and for how long. Welcome to Thailand.

10 hours ago

Asomugha *******************

11 hours ago

Asomugha *******************

Jeffrey M Gould

11 hours ago

Reply to

Asomugha *******************

Lynnette *******

Would a personal record collection be taxed?

11 hours ago

Michael ********

@Lynnette ******

yes

11 hours ago

Jeffrey **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Lynnette ******

I didnt think so, but the more I researched the more it seems like, because the collection is so big, they would tax it. Was hoping somebody/anybody ran into a similar situation.

11 hours ago

Reply to

Jeffrey **********

Michael ********

Customs will look in things like exchange and mart online to see what items are worth and charged based on that in my experience

12 hours ago

Jeffrey **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Michael *******

it would be difficult for them to look at 3500 albums... not sure what the heck to do.

11 hours ago

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