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What should I know about shipping bulk personal items like a record collection to Thailand?
Shipping to ThailandCustoms FeesImport DutiesPersonal ItemsRecord CollectionsMoving to ThailandExpat IssuesImmigrationThailand Customs Regulations
Nov 6, 2025
6 months ago
Jeffrey **********
ORIGINAL POSTERPlanning 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)
TLDR : Answer Summary
When shipping personal items, such as a large record collection, to Thailand, be prepared for potentially high customs fees and import duties. Many users report unpredictable customs valuations and hefty charges upon arrival. It's advisable to create a detailed inventory of your items and consider hiring professionals for handling customs clearance. Options for reducing fees, such as bringing extra luggage, might still incur costs, and past experiences suggest that customs can be quite stringent.
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Chuck **********
You’ll be broke after paying tariffs and immigration fees!
Andrew ***************
See if sabuy express operate from your country they clear there own stuff
Ian **********
Customs will make their own valuations and charge you 100% import duty
Jeffrey **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Ian *********
the more I read/research, and the replies abv... Thinking I am better off just to sell them. Or try to ship them back to the USReply to
Jeffrey **********
Reply
Jack *****
would having extra luggage and paying the fee for that..... be a way to avoid the customs fee?
Jeffrey **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jack ****
extra luggage for 3500 albums?Reply to
Jeffrey **********
Reply
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.
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!
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.
Asomugha *******************
Jeffrey M Gould
Reply to
Asomugha *******************
Reply
Lynnette *******
Would a personal record collection be taxed?
Michael ********
@Lynnette ******
yesJeffrey **********
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.Reply to
Jeffrey **********
Reply
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
Jeffrey **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Michael *******
it would be difficult for them to look at 3500 albums... not sure what the heck to do.Reply to
Jeffrey **********
Reply
Ian ********
Customs will charge what they want and sadly it is difficult to predetermine that cost.
Reply to
Ian ********
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