Thread: Import Tax

Where do I find out about import tax on stuff?

The missus wants to ship in a box of cosmetics but I'm not sure if she will have to pay tax on it or not.

Any ideas

>> Thai Customs <<

Bloody hell that is rather complicated.

Why can't they just have different categories like they do inthe UK.

How do I set the price of the items? Does she have to go to the customs office where they are arriving and agree a price or just stick an invoice in for x-amount?

Send it through a reputable courier service & let them manage the palm oil... It's less hassle all round, I promise.

If it is a large shipment as Watterinja said

yep, question is: how big is the "box"?

She is talking about a few thousand units of makeup. Maybe 200K worth. Obviously under valued for the customs form.

Couriers are we talking about DHL/UPS etc or a ground-sea shipper?

There are postal boxes from here upto 20kg which are reasonable price. Problem is it would need to be declared if it was over 20k in value.

^exactly. Don't send via DHL as it will get impounded. Send via EMS

Originally Posted by Ivor Biggun

via ordinary air mail. You lie about the value and contents. They always get here

Are you sure about this

I ordered from the states a few years ago a set of stainless steel, copper encapsulated copper bottom waterless cook wear that had a retail price of $598.00 on sale for $200.00, they shipped Parcel Post and it weighed over 10 KG. don't remember for sure, but was heavy and came in 1 box and the charge was almost $150.00.
They asked me what it was when I went to pick up at PO. and then I just took it home in a motor samlar, no duty at all and everyone seemed happy, especially me.
I have ordered Herbals on different ocassions and one time I was charged 150 baht duty, never a problem with any boxes of stuff including one that had a bunch of stuff including a new digital camera and a welding hood with the automatic darkening lens, never a duty.
But we always ship Parcel post.

Cosmetics is a difficult one because you are liable to three taxes instead of the usual two.
Tariff duty, VAT and excise duty.

Where did you find that infomaration out?

I looked through last night and if it was all above board she would need to pay 80&#37; ( ithink) on her items just to get them in.

It would probably be cost effetive to fly her via vietnam with her 20kg allowance of makeup than to pay the duty on it that way

4.3 Excise Tax

Excise tax is currently levied on the following commodities: domestically produced petroleum and oil products; non-alcoholic beverages, excluding water, mineral water and milk; air conditioners with a capacity of not more than 72,000 BTUs; certain light fittings; crystal; motor cars designed to carry not more than 10 persons; yachts and other pleasure boats; perfume; cosmetic products; and certain entertainment businesses. In addition, there are special excise taxes imposed on liquor, beer and cigarettes.

○ BOI : The Board of Investment of Thailand

As myself , William and Blackgang have said. Don't use a courier or you will be charged Import Duty.
When I've used a courier I paid tax. I've never ever paid tax using standard air mail. On the customs form write 'used personal effects of no value'. I've never had a missing parcel or any other problem come to that. For me it's a 100% effective method not to pay import duty. As I've said before courier companies are obligated to collect tax on behalf of the Thai Government. Your choice at the end of the day.

Try this link, just put in the www . bit -> customs.go.th/Customs-Eng/Sample/Sample.jsp?menuNme=Sample

This is my first post here so unable post the full link

I would say, it all depends on what guarantee you require that the goods will arrive, versus the import duties.

With a courier you will pay the correct duty, plus you will get the parcel.

With other schemes, will you feel confident to ship B200k in the event that it does not reach the final destination?

^ yes, not really interested in losing it, but paying 400k to get it in isn't really worth it, seriously cheaper to fly her in with bag full of cosmetics

I've not had this problem, I must say. Perhaps others have had different experiences.

Originally Posted by mrsquirrel

^ yes, not really interested in losing it, but paying 400k to get it in isn't really worth it, seriously cheaper to fly her in with bag full of cosmetics

Scenario, she flies into LOS. Does not declare correctly. Alert Customs person smells a rat, busts her & she ends up in the clink. Good, or not good?

Originally Posted by watterinja

I've not had this problem, I must say

But have you ever ordered, more or less, identical items sent seperately say a month apart ? As you say "perhaps others had different experiences ?"

Try Amazon for size. I've had around 20 shipments, for instance.

On the couriered items - only - an import/handling fee is taken. On express international postage, no fee is taken.

When a couriered parcel hits Bangkok, the first time it hits the customs, it shows a flag as 'return to sender', amazingly later (sometimes a small delay) all is well & on it goes. Happens with DHL, UPS same way.

Amazon are super-professional & their couriers manage the palm-oil well.

MrsQ also, keep the parcel(s) [regular post] to under 10kgs. It works.