Current rules on bringing in bottles?

Post by **migrant** » Sat Aug 30, 2008 7:57 am

Coming over end of October (to pay my Chang bill to those I owe) and am wondering what the current regs are on bringing in bottles of wine?

Thanks

Post by **Governor** » Sat Aug 30, 2008 8:07 am

I am pretty sure that wine is classed as liquor and as such you officially are allowed to bring in one litre, but I have never been able to get a definitive answer.

I usually bring in a few bottles in my checked luggage and have never had a problem, then again I have never been stopped.

I personally think that a country that sells local fire water, I think it's called whiskey, has got it's priorities wrong, but I am a guest in Thailand so I should respect it's views.

Post by **chelsea** » Sat Aug 30, 2008 9:14 am

Coming from Australia we normally take two bottles as that is as far as I know the limit that you can bring in.
Just check on the Thai Customs Website and it will be outlined what you can take in.

Post by **Norseman** » Sat Aug 30, 2008 9:48 am

This is the info from the Thai Customs Website.

Duty Free Allowance

The duty free allowance will be applied to accompanied personal effects up to Bath 10,000 worth if
i) the items are intended for your own personal or professional uses;
ii) the quantity are reasonable; and
iii) the items are not subject to prohibition or restriction.

However, there are limits on the amount of alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, cigars and smoking tobacco to which you may include in your duty free personal exemption as follows:

· 200 cigarettes or 250 grams of cigars or smoking tobacco

· 1 litre of spirituous liquor.

Personal effects do not include motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts regardless of the length of time used and owned.

Post by **moja** » Sat Aug 30, 2008 11:19 am

Villa Market opening has made a world of difference to us wine drinkers and whilst not cheap the prices are not too bad for Thailand, the choice of Aussie and Californian wines is excellent.

So there is no longer any need to panic if you cannot bring too much wine with you!

Post by **Takiap** » Sat Aug 30, 2008 12:08 pm

From my own past experience, they are not too worried how many bottles you bring in when arriving. The customs chaps at the airport are quite laid back and unless you brought it to their attention, they won't bother you. If you were stopped then just play ignorance and smile a lot which will see you through with a few jokes.

Post by **sandman67** » Sat Aug 30, 2008 4:49 pm

has anyone ever been stopped by Customs here?

whenever Ive passed by they are usually picking their noses, scratching their backsides or reading the sports pages.....if they are there at all.

Post by **Governor** » Sat Aug 30, 2008 6:37 pm

sandman67 wrote:has anyone ever been stopped by Customs here?

I have never been stopped but I have seen plently of others being stopped, usually people with obvious middle east duty free bags - bit silly to make it that obvious, and some with a lot of lugguge, in which case the customs officers usually feel the weight of the luggage to decide if it warrants further inspection.

Post by **BaaBaa.** » Sat Aug 30, 2008 6:47 pm

sandman67 wrote:has anyone ever been stopped by Customs here?

whenever Ive passed by they are usually picking their noses, scratching their backsides or reading the sports pages.....if they are there at all.

This sort of thing?

Post by **sandman67** » Sat Aug 30, 2008 8:00 pm

thats the one.... hes obviously on a state of alert

they did actually stop a mate of mine a long time ago because, as he was on a side trip after skiing, was carrying a set of ski's.....they didnt stop him to search his bags...just to be helpful and point out that he couldnt go skiing in Thailand ..... "no Snow!" they said.......he came out of the arrivals gate laughing so hard he could hardly walk......gotta love the Thais

Post by **Big Boy** » Sat Aug 30, 2008 8:04 pm

sandman67 wrote:thats the one.... hes obviously on a state of alert

It could be a trap

Post by **migrant** » Sat Aug 30, 2008 9:59 pm

Thanks All

I|'ve heard of horror stories, but they tend to be over people who have brought in cases.

I've never been checked, but know, with my luck, the first time I bring in something wrong, I'll get the wide awake customs guy thats ambitious to advance (maybe the only one)

Post by **STEVE G** » Sat Aug 30, 2008 10:22 pm

The customs man in the picture above looks like he’s just finished drinking the three bottles of wine he confiscated earlier!

Post by **margaretcarnes** » Sun Aug 31, 2008 7:46 am

Ah yes Sandman - Jasons' skis! Will he ever live that down?
But I'm interested in what Moja says about the reasonable wine prices in Villa. What is 'reasonable' there now? I rarely pay more than 4 quid for a 75cl red in the UK. About 250 baht? So 300 to 400 baht still wouldn't be too bad. Anything more starts to smell of extortion IMO

Post by **moja** » Sun Aug 31, 2008 9:16 am

I'll check some prices when I am in there next week. I cannot drink red so only know the prices of white wine.