THAILAND

CUSTOMS
INFORMATION
FOREIGN
CITIZENS
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED
All shipments must be marked on the OBL or MAWB as:
"Used HHG & Personal Effects"
For all inbound shipments we must have:
Client's actual passport for Customs clearance.
Client's copy of passport to collect DO and start the import process .
OBL or AWB
Packing list
Actual 1 Year Work Permit (if available)
With all documentation in order, clearance typically takes 3-5 working days.
Failure to provide the above documents and to follow the above procedures / instructions can
cause customs clearance delays and result in higher import fees to the owner.
CUSTOMS REGULATIONS
Returning Thai:
Only a full 1 year work permit or 1 year new visa which is issued in Thailand will be considered for
duty exemption.
No other work permit will be considered. It must be exactly 1 year. Original permit must be
presented to customs for inspection. Bond facility or letter stating application is in process or
pending is not available or acceptable. Only the actual permit can be submitted to Customs.
Futhermore...the following restrictions must also always be met, otherwise entire shipment will be
classified non-exempt:
Shipment must originate from same country as owner's last place of residence or work.
Shipment must arrive in Thailand not earlier than 3 months to owner's arrival/return to
Thailand and not later than 6 months afterwards.
Only one electrical item is allowed, i.e. if owner has 3 fridges, full duty will be assessed on
the two more expensive units.
Only goods owned and used more than 6 months are eligible for duty exemption. New
goods are subject to full duty.
Computers, fax machines and phones can sometimes cause problems as may not be
considered as HHG or personal effects but rather as dutiable office equipment.
Only 1 shipment by sea and 1 shipment by air is permissible under duty-free privilege.
Only a "reasonable" volume of goods (determined by Customs) may be imported duty-free
per shipper. As a guide, normally up to 1x40' container is acceptable.
Non-exempt from Duty:
High duties are placed on all goods if client is deemed to not have been overseas continuously for
at least a full year or more. Especially high duties apply to electrical goods, carpets and luxury
goods.
Note:
Client does not need to be personally physically present at clearance.
We cannot clear Household Goods & Personal Effects shipments outside Bangkok, such
as Phuket, Chiangmai, Koh Samui, etc. Therefore all shipments must be cleared at
Bangkok and then transported to final destination.
Any costs incurred as a result of delays in provision of original passport will be for account
of the shipper. It is the client's responsibility to ensure the original passport is provided to
our office in Bangkok.
DUTIABLE RESTRICTED ITEMS
This list is a guideline only and subject to customs own interpretations.
Vacuum Cleaner 30%
Stereo 10%
Microwave 30%
Refrigerator 20%
T.V. 20%
Washing Machine 20%
Furniture (wood, steel) 20%
Kitchen Cabinet 20%
Computer 5%
Piano 5%
Books US$3.00/KGS
Clothes US$2.60/KGS
Kitchen Ornaments US$0.20/KGS
The above rates are subject to VAT 7%.
PROHIBITED ITEMS
Prohibited articles include firearms, ammunition, pornographic literature, short-wave radios,
medical equipment, gold and silver.
We suggest always to contact the destination agent in advance if in any doubt and to fax us a copy
of packing list should owner/agent wish to have any possible problem items determined /
assessed.
MOTOR VEHICLES
Please note importation of a car to Thailand is highly problematical and often a very lengthy
process.
If importing a new car to Thailand, the vehicle model must be approved by Thai Industrial
Standard Institute.
If the vehicle model is not allowed from Thai Industrial Standard Institute the client must
apply for import license, according to directive 93/59/EEC.
If importing a used car to Thailand, client must apply for an import permit from the Ministry
of Commerce before the car can be shipped, it can not be shipped prior to application,
whilst in transit or once arrived.
Must have drivers license for at least one year and six months.
If a Thai Citizen the person must be over seas in that country for more than 2 years.
Car Documents (original documents for all are required):
o Purchase Order
o Photo of car (or car model catalogue if applicable) and full description of any
extras, i.e. Hi-Fi, etc.
o Passport
o Car registration
o Client drivers license
Duties on imported car not exceeding 2300i CC is approx. 200-270% depending upon the model,
year etc. for cars over 2300 CC duty can be up to 600%.
PETS
Please note we need the following information for each pet for processing of import permits:
Pet's name
Age
Sex
Breed
Color
Size/weight
Additionally, the following is required at least three days prior to arrival:
Copy of owner's passport (just page showing name, picture, etc.).
Copy of Vaccination and Health certificates.
Flight details
Note:
Vaccination and health certificates should be arranged at origin prior to flight.
There is no quarantine required for Thailand.
Pets as excess baggage:
Pets can simply be taken through customs as one would normally do when carrying your baggage
after a flight. Customs may request import permit. There is no documented duty amounts are
indicated a nominal clearance fee per pet will usually be negotiated. Pets traveling under "excess
baggage status" have no time restrictions regarding their travel.
Pets as cargo/freight:
Pets must clear customs at cargo terminal. The process can take many hours. Must present import
permit to customs and duty will be assessed. Whilst no documented duty amounts are indicated
generally about 30% of freight cost is imposed as duty plus the larger the animal the higher the
duty. Duties anywhere from US$150 to US$1,000 are quite typical.
It is recommended that pets be brought into Thailand as "excess baggage" and not as freight via
the airport cargo section.


NOTE - Customs regulations are subject to change at any time.