Customs Duty Thread

[PeteC]

Perhaps we can use this thread to list our experiences as we receive goods from overseas.

Some Christmas gifts for my daughter are starting to arrive from the USA. Declared value on packing slip was the equiv of 6,300 Baht. They assessed a value of only 5,000 Baht for some reason. On this they charged import duty of 20%, 1,000 Baht. On the entire total of 6,000 Baht they charged 7% VAT or 420 Baht. Contents are listed as "Children's Toys"

As you can see, what they are doing is charging VAT on everything more or less saying..."we charge you tax just as if you bought it here...and we charge you tax on the import duty fee as well".

Let's see what others have to say when shipments received. Pete

EDIT: Forgot to mention the above was via EMS. Another of almost the same value is coming via FEDEX in about a week. Let's see if differences in fees.

[Bristolian]

I recently shipped some personal hand metal working tools from the UK, nothing expensive but many I had made myself many years ago. Other woodworking tools were of sentimental value only as they had been handed down from generation to generation in my family, all descriptions of old wooden planes etc.

Even though they were clearly identified as used and personal, much to my surprise the tools were charged import duty, on an assessed new valuation and indeed 7% VAT was then added on top.

[PET]

I often import items from USA, from toys to sports goods and whenever the declared cost has been less than $100 there has been no charge ( but am not sure what the start figure is ) but on the other items I pay duty on, it has always been 10% on the CIF Bangkok cost and then 7% Customs VAT on that sub total

[PeteC]

Does anyone think there are differences depending upon who the delivery carrier is? What I'm fishing at is if someone like FEDEX or DHL has some kind of "deal" in place to expedite and limit fees, as compared lets say to EMS or normal postal delivery service. Pete

[Nereus]

Does anyone think there are differences depending upon who the delivery carrier is? What I'm fishing at is if someone like FEDEX or DHL has some kind of "deal" in place to expedite and limit fees, as compared lets say to EMS or normal postal delivery service. Pete

I try to avoid any courier service. The few times that it has been unavoidable I have been slugged every time. With normal postal service have had many things received without any charges.

In addition, I believe that it also depends on your postal address. Seems to be that the bulk of goods coming through Bangkok tend to overwhelm the system, whereas goods destined elsewhere get looked at locally, and therefore charged.

[Big Boy]

I've received several items since I've been here - always by Royal Mail signed for service. To date, I've not been charged anything.

[PeteC]

There is another aspect to look at. PET seems to be business>personal, or perhaps business> business. I and perhaps others are personal > personal. My things were delivered to an address in the US and re-labeled for transit over here.

Perhaps there is a different mentality with Customs concerning if coming directly from a business/vendor rather than from a private address. Pete

[PET]

Does anyone think there are differences depending upon who the delivery carrier is? What I'm fishing at is if someone like FEDEX or DHL has some kind of "deal" in place to expedite and limit fees, as compared lets say to EMS or normal postal delivery service. Pete

Yes you could have something here, because when items from the UK have come by Royal Mail and items from USA by
USPS, and especially when sent to my PO Box number I have not been charged, but the item values have been low around $100 - also I always use the Tracker service and have never 'lost' any parcel

FEDEX and DHL seem to have their own stationary to calculate the duty so IF they do calculate on items valued at less than $100, I suggest you avoid them !

[ken.p]

I agree with big boy, I sent 120 kilo in six boxes from the UK, Via local postal service, each box arrived unopened, no tax charged.

Ken.

[Big Boy]

While I haven#t been charged yet, parcels that I've sent to my daughter while I was still in the UK have been charged - often more than total loss of the package would have been. To get around it, I stopped stating on the customs label what was actually inside (a little white lie ), and always make sure the value is stated as less than £10. This is working for now.

What I will also say is that I've never had anything sent to me that I couldn't afford to lose, so it wouldn't be the end of the world if I lost it. Such items are brought by friends when they visit.

[wpcoe]

I read somewhere online that FedEx, DHL and other couriers are required by law to route all inbound international shipments via Thai Customs. Thai Post is not required to - but occasionally does - so it's hit or miss, but from anecdotes posted online a high percent of postal shipments bypass Thai Customs.

[PeteC]

As mentioned above in the OP, second shipment has arrived via FEDEX. I wish it had fallen into the sea instead! Almost exact toys and value as the first shipment. On this Customs charged 30% of the entire cost 1) goods, 2) freight charges 3) insurance. Then on top of that they charged 7% VAT on everything, including the 30% Customs duty.

So, there appears to be no rhyme or reason as to what they charge for similar items, unless FEDEX indeed is making extra money on these transactions.

I think from now on I'll take PETS advise above and stick to USPS from the States. My blood pressure can't handle more of this, and the poor, innocent FEDEX delivery boy probably never wants to come here again. Pete

[wpcoe]

Just be prepared for a USPS shipment to POSSIBLY be subject to the same fees/taxes/duties. There seems to be no pattern, but MOST postal shipments avoid Customs scrutiny, but SOME get snagged by them.