Clearing your belongings through customs in Thailand

It’s very important that foreigners know the laws, there have been countless cases where foreigners had to pay horrendous taxes for goods.

Unfortunately, the existing law can easily be differently used by certain Custom officials and it’s very important to have a Non-O visa or extension of stay.

Here are some important regulations that I had from a website that doesn’t work anymore. But it’s enough to give you an idea of how it works.

Importing Used/Secondhand Household Effects

Returning Thai residents who have been abroad for one year or longer, for the purposes other than touring are eligible to bring in household effects acquired abroad free of taxes and duties. In addition, nonresidents changing their residence to Thailand may import the household effects subject to the conditions stated below without payment of import taxes duties.

The term “household effects” includes all goods which are normally necessary to equip a self-contained home e.g. furniture, carpets, books, musical instruments, paintings, tableware, stereos, linens, and similar household furnishings, etc. To be eligible for tax- and duty-free allowance, the importers are required to have owned, possessed, and used the household effects before they return to Thailand to resume residence.

It is important that the importers meet the three requirements of ownership, possession, and use. For example, if they owned and possessed the goods without using them, the goods would be subject to regular taxes and duties.

Personal effects accompanied with the owner traveling into or out of Thailand, including any goods used or will be used commercially are not eligible as household effects cannot be brought in tax and duty-free as the household effects.

NOTE: Motor vehicles, alcoholic beverages, and tobacco are excluded from this rebate.

Requirements for Duty-Free Allowance
Both Thai and non-Thai residents changing residence into Thailand are eligible to bring used/secondhand household effects into Thailand, in reasonable quantities, free of taxes and duties. It is also required that the imported used/ secondhand household effects have been owned, possessed, and used in the country where the importers resided before returning to Thailand to resume residence.

In the case where the household effects are electrical appliances e.g. radios, televisions, refrigerators, microwaves, ovens, air conditioners, etc., only ONE unit each of such items is eligible for tax- and duty-free allowance. However, if it is the family change of residence, TWO units each of the items will be allowed to bring in tax and duty-free. Any excess unit shall be subject to regular taxes and duties, and Customs will place the items that have the lowest rate of duty under tax and duty exemption.

It is important that the used/secondhand household effects must be imported not earlier than one month before or not later than six months after the arrival of the importers. Under exceptional circumstances, Customs may extend the time limits for the importers.
Requirements for Changing of Residence
Nonresidents: Nonresidents may import the used/secondhand household effects acquired abroad tax and duty-free if such household effects accompanied them in the change of residence and they are qualified under the requirements listed below:

1. Nonresidents resuming residents in Thailand must be granted a non-immigrant quota as shown in a passport or a Nonresident Identification Card; or

2. Nonresidents granted to work in Thailand will be regarded as resuming residents in Thailand provided, they have a one-year non-immigrant visa issued by the Immigration Department. In the case where the non-immigrant visa has not yet been granted, either of the following documents may be accepted:

(2.1) The letter from the Immigration Department certifying that the nonresidents shall be granted an annual temporary stay in Thailand; or
(2.2) The work permit from the Department of Labor to work in Thailand for at least one year.

3. Nonresidents entering Thailand as an expert, specialist, or under a contract of government agencies are required to present the letter from relevant agencies certifying that such nonresidents are granted a non-immigrant visa issued by the Immigration Department and shall work in Thailand not less than one year.

Accompanying spouses of the nonresidents in (2) and (3) will be regarded as resuming residence in Thailand provided the spouses have non-immigrant visas issued by the Immigration Department to stay in Thailand for the first 90 days.

Note: Nonresidents entering into the Kingdom with a non-immigrant visa "code O" who wish to retire in Thailand or accompany spouses of Thai residents are not qualified for (1)

Thai Residents: Thai residents may import the secondhand/used household effects acquired abroad duty-free if such household effects are accompanied them in the change of residence and they are qualified under the criteria listed below:

1. Thai residents or government officials work or carry out a working visit abroad for at least one year. In the case where the Thai residents/government officials must return to Thailand before one year, evidence showing that the return is caused by the termination of contracts, reshuffle of positions, or early termination of working visits, is required.

2. Thai residents working abroad under other reasons than those indicated in (1) are required to undertake a commitment that they shall return to Thailand to resume residence.

3. Thai students, government officials study abroad for at least one year.

I was well and truly ripped off when I arrived in November 2018, as I only brought well and truly older equipment, clothing and personal items and was charged over 12000 baht.

Isaanfarang, thanks for the info. That's useful to know!

My dad is moving and my stuff in his attic has to go, and I am getting married and settling down here (for now), so I was planning to bring stuff back after my next visit.

Just to double check I understood it correctly, with an extension of stay based on work + work permit, I am allowed just 1 item of electrical kitchen appliances, right? (Used before and for own use).

Thanks a million!

Why would anyone ship all of their stuff to Thailand when you can buy everything you need here. What a waste of money and unnecessary hassle, plus they've just totally changed the rules to get retirement or long term Visas here making it ridiculously expensive, all they want is tourists to come here and blow money for two or three weeks and then get out. They no longer want long stay expats or retired people, you're no longer welcome. The Thais have become so greedy all they want is people to waste money for Holiday visits are expensive hotels restaurants and spas. they don't want long-stay foreigners. I'm planning to leave in 2020 the draconian rules are now absolutely ridiculous and even the immigration people don't know what's going on, who knows what kind of new restrictions they'll impose next year, what a complete freaking mess.

I'm not retired and requirements are different for foreign females married to a Thai man.

I'm also not talking about sending all my stuff over, but rather have one extra suitcase to bring items that are still perfectly fine to use. It's no hassle at all really!

I'm sorry it's no longer working out for you, and I wish you a good move next year.

One thing I learned too late and that was to make a detailed inventory of all the things I was sending to Thailand.  I had to make lists after I came here and it wasn´t easy.  Another thing that surprised me was that the Thai company that took care of things at this end made us travel twice to the Suvarnabhumi Airport to fill in forms and make substantial additional payments.  It all added up to quite a handsome sum of money.  The Thai company told us that they were not only collecting for themselves but also the Thai state and the shipping company in my homeland to send to them, hm..... 
I have a Thai wife and she was also moving back to Thailand.  The shipment was in her name meaning we only paid a nominal sum in customs but those repeated additional charges really added up.  In my opinion this was a systematic and calculated ripoff. 
In addition to the skyrocketing costs, our things were kept from us for up to three months in a warehouse at the airport.  Taking into account the three months the shipment was en route, it took about half a year for us to get these modest things.  This is more like the way people in the West did went about their business about 50 years ago.   Not a pleasant experience at all.

They are criminals. They don't have any set parameters. They just want money.

Forget Thailand and only invest Baht that your prepared to lose..lf Prayut and his scam regime retain power it's all over.

Agreed there to uneducated and don't give a toss about there country. They will not last.

Good luck with the Thai man. I hope you get on well with his new minor

We shipped from Australia through Bangkok to Koh Samui. All our household goods valued over $100K were packed by Conroys in Australia over 3 days for AGS Four Winds, and departed on October 30th in a "40 foot container".  Arrival to Bangkok was early December, and delivery to Samui by two trucks a bit over a month later.  The duty paid in Bangkok was AUD$4500, and shipping costs around $17,500. Duty was at the bottom end of the estimated range. From start to finish the transfer was faultless, and on arrival there were 10 men to carry some seriously heavy items over three levels. No damage was incurred, and just one very heavy hand made table had worn through the packing, but with no damage.    Tiger was also in the discussions for the selection of a carrier. Their quote was slightly less and included an estimate for duty of $3800. Both reputable carriers and the personality of the agent from AGS Four Winds won the day

Bringing your own furniture is a bit like bringing your own dog. There are plenty in Thailand to choose from, but over time you become somewhat attached to what you have.

Rainmon wrote:

Why would anyone ship all of their stuff to Thailand when you can buy everything you need here. What a waste of money and unnecessary hassle, plus they've just totally changed the rules to get retirement or long term Visas here making it ridiculously expensive, all they want is tourists to come here and blow money for two or three weeks and then get out. They no longer want long stay expats or retired people, you're no longer welcome. The Thais have become so greedy all they want is people to waste money for Holiday visits are expensive hotels restaurants and spas. they don't want long-stay foreigners. I'm planning to leave in 2020 the draconian rules are now absolutely ridiculous and even the immigration people don't know what's going on, who knows what kind of new restrictions they'll impose next year, what a complete freaking mess.

as above--its ridiculous to waste money, shipping things from overseas. minimal clothes are needed.
everything else can be bought here--much cheaper.
sure, some of the new rules are'odd'.... but i think they are trying to eliminate expats who try living here, but have minimal funds{cant cover themselves in case of ilness or accident..
surely 800,000thb is not a lot to a retiree, to leave in thai bank account for a full year.
retirees have had 30-40 yrs to save 800,000thb-
its no good crying if you havent been able to accumulate a little bit of money.

Your costs equal about 496,000 baht. For less than 400,000 I fully outfitted a three bedroom villa. To each his own of course (and recognizing there may be history attached to some of the chattels that were moved) but by buying in Thailand I found one less headache to incur.

Kiwithai wrote:

Your costs equal about 496,000 baht. For less than 400,000 I fully outfitted a three bedroom villa. To each his own of course (and recognizing there may be history attached to some of the chattels that were moved) but by buying in Thailand I found one less headache to incur.

Plus some eventually hidden costs that are up to the officer in charge.

I've worked in shipping in Thailand for 20 years. If you have any questions you can direct them at me, and sorry to say but guesses, info online, advise from locals etc is wrong 90% of the time.

soibeer wrote:

I've worked in shipping in Thailand for 20 years. If you have any questions you can direct them at me, and sorry to say but guesses, info online, advise from locals etc is wrong 90% of the time.

I just wanted to show my deepest appreciation for having a guy like you on the forum. Thanks a lot!

Forgert, Live your things in your country to your family, friends or donate.

You will get rip-off by customs and delivery people.

Rainmon,
With all due respect the new rules for retirees married to Thai Nationals seem to be very reasonable and clear. Can you clarify factually what you are discontent about?

Wrong thread mate.

Many items in Thailand are so cheap why not buy it in Thailand. The cost of shipping
is near equal to buying things new here. Or nearly so it just makes sense.

A good example is when people sell their condo or home here it almost always
comes furnished because people know shipping to Europe or elsewhere is cost
prohibitive.

Rainmon wrote:

Why would anyone ship all of their stuff to Thailand when you can buy everything you need here...

It's a fair question, and not unique to Thailand.

Many expats around the world are relocating to lower cost of living areas, and their decisions will depend upon what kind of lives they want to create in their new areas.

One philosophy is to relocate and fully assimilate into the local culture as much as possible.

Another philosophy is to bring as much stuff as possible and live amongst fellow foreigners and not worry about assimilating into the local culture.

Of course people may adopt varying degrees of each individual philosophy.

Speaking from personal experience, when I moved to Southeast Asia in 2018, it was an incredibly freeing experience to get rid of all the stuff I had collected in a three-bedroom house and board the airplane with two large suitcases and an appropriate carry-on bag (backpack) with a separate bag holding medical supplies (mostly prescription medications) and another bag holding my medically required CPAP breathing machine and my laptop computer in it's own bag.

Everyone I know who didn't let stuff get in the way of their move has been happy to have made that same decision.

Virtually everyone I know who chose to bring as much stuff as possible has horror stories to tell, unless they are independently wealthy to the point that they paid whatever price necessary to keep all of their stuff.

We moved to Thailand in 2013 I did a lot of research before hand. But I should had left my furniture & kitchen stuff behind. The only thing I should had brought is our car because at that time it was still legal and you only had to pay 10% of the cars value. We had a 10 year old Lexus that had a value of 10,000 dollars. Instead we ended up buying a new car for 40,000 dollars more than we ever paid for a car. The car was originally 25,000 dollars but then they add a luxury tax to it of another 15,000 dollars. We didn’t know this before we bought it and we had to move that money from the US to the Subaru dealership. So the shipping container moved a sofa, dishes, pot’s & pans, towels, sheets, they don’t have fitted sheets in Thailand, lots of vitamins, stereo equipment, dining room table etc. it cost us 3,000 for the moving container door to door service, they came to our house in the US and packed everything took it away and delivered it to our condo in Bangkok 2 months later. Everyone was very pleasant in both destinations. We were very happy with the shipping company services. So my advice is don’t bring anything you can buy everything here. Just personal items, maybe a extra suit case. Good Luck to everyone. Happy New Year.

The only counterpoint is that some people are nostalgic and develop an emotional attachment to old possessions because it reminds them of periods in their lives. I'm included in that group. Therefore, some stuff I would want to move. I did that when I left Korea after 2 years and moved back to Thailand. I gave much stuff to my Korean girlfriend at the time, but I shipped 2 huge suitcases to Thailand at a great cost just because I wanted to keep the stuff I had bought there as a reminder of the place. Sometimes, you cannot put a value on memories.