Thread: Fun and games at Swampy's "Freezone"

Originally Posted by Bung

The theiving pricks at Suwarnabhumi "freezone". Aint nothing free there, just a bunch of organised theives who like to hold your property until you succumb to their extortions.

A 2nd hand bicycle. 30% duty on the value. 30% on the shipping cost (WTF???) VAT. Storage fee (250 a day I was told but found out it was 75.) 1000 handling fee. And best of all, a B2000 "service" fee from some prick who I thought was just willing to help me out.

That place is a disgrace to this country.

Be warned, if you are a Farang you will get fleeced like this on any item you try and ship in. Even with a Thai it will be difficult unless they have some sort of power.

The guy who helped me had 2 more of his mates come by, sat me down in a corner and started writing down figures on a piece of paper. I told him to jam it as it was up at B9000, more than the bike was worth. The prick even followed me out to his car and was saying "ok, ok, 6000" I started to video him asking him "how much" and he scurried off. ....I should have driven over him. He even called up a Mia Noi and she was waiting for him outside the customs building. He told her to wait in a nearby restaurant, obviously he was thinking he was going to have a good night out on my ticket. It was a small consolation that I denied him that but I left without my bike. I wasn't about to give those theives a cent. Lesson learnt. I didn't think they would worry about a 2nd hand bicycle.

I guess I could approach Thai air cargo directly and complain. I don't mind the duty on the value and VAT as long as it goes through the correct channels but half of it was made up shit (seriously, you have to pay 30% on the shipping cost???) and to have these scumbags get my money and pocket it? Nope.

Well done.
He must have been very disappointed.

Well yes, plus I got a good 40 minutes work out of him for free running around getting paperwork

It's not over yet.

Originally Posted by Bung

Well yes, plus I got a good 40 minutes work out of him for free running around getting paperwork

It's not over yet.

Good luck on it. I just imported something (could not buy here) and paid a hefty wedge to get it through customs - the tarrif rates are posted somewhere on the web - mine were at 40% and 50% (for the individual items). Plus yes, all the customs fees, handling and paper work fees, storage fees. And yes, the final duty worked out includes the cost of shipping.....

I think I will head back to Wigan!

No sorry moment of madness has passed

go to the police station and report it stolen

Every country I have done business in calculates import duty based on the CIF value of the imported goods.

Sounds like you

a) havent done much business in many countries in Asia then.

b) dont have any idea what you are talking about.

c) both

‎*Update* I took friend to Thai air cargo here in Chiang Mai to help and I was greeted by an efficient, pleasant and very helpful man who spoke perfect English. He took pity of my plight and is trying to arrange it to be shipped up here where I will be happy to pay the duty - only - and not give those a-holes in BKK a cent. Faith in Thailand restored.

Originally Posted by Sir Wilson

Sounds like you

a) havent done much business in many countries in Asia then.

b) dont have any idea what you are talking about.

c) both

Sounds like you might be new around here.

Check this out:
FedEx - Customs documentation guide - Calculating Duties and Taxes

It's the worldwide system.

You can find the HS code for your product online using FedEx Global Trade Manager®, the Statistics Canada website or the United States International Trade Commission website (for US imports). Remember the first 6 digits of the HS code is recognized by all countries under the WCO (World Customs Organization).
Calculating Duties and Taxes

Most countries use the CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight) method to calculate duty charges. CIF is a pricing term that means the cost of the goods, insurance and freight (shipping charge) are included in the quoted price. The total duty and tax charge is calculated by adding all costs together. (For more information about VAT, see the Value-Added Tax section.)
Some examples of calculating duties and taxes:
To the U.S.
Value of Goods*US$2290Duty Rate (7%)
Merchandise Processing fee
Advancement fee US$160.30
US$25.00
US$5.21Total Landed PriceUS$190.51Convert to Canadian dollars if Canadian Payer @ 0.995*CAD$189.56

Inbound to Canada
Value of Goods*CAD$2290*Duty Rate (7%)
Duty Charge
Duty Paid Value
GST (5%) CAD$160.30
CAD$2450.30
CAD$122.52Total Duty and Tax
Advancement fee CAD$282.82
CAD$8.30Total Landed Price CAD$291.12

To Europe
Value of Goods*US$932Insurance Charge
Freight ChargeUS$16
US$52Total CIF Value
Duty Rate (7%)
Duty Charge
Total Duty and Tax US$1,000
x.07
US$70
US$1,070VAT (18%)
VAT Charge x.18
US$192.60Total Landed Price US$1,262.60Convert to Canadian dollars if Canadian Payer @ 0.995* CAD$1256.29

*Conversion rates may fluctuate.

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Where is Thailand?

For Thailand, you can use this (not very easy to use) site:

http://igtf.customs.go.th/igtf/en/main_frame.jsp

Bicycles seem to carry an import tarrif of 40%.

As noted, its calculated on good, frieght and insurance - AND it does not include all extra charges (paperwork, daily rate blah, blah, blah).

Bung, from which country are you importing the bicycle. It makes a big difference these days. What the spivs in Bangkok are telling you is essentially correct. Duty is calculated on CIF value and the Thai base rate for bicycles is 30%. Many countries have duty exemption though e.g. China, Australia, NZ, Korea etc etc.

If you go the the site Integrated Tariff Database. and navigate your way from there, you can get all the info. After clicking "Import Tariffs", use 8712 as the code for bicycles. You then have to keep making selections (there is a different rate for "racing bicycles" and "other bicycles"). When you get to the part showing the duty is 40%, select "All" and then "Show". This is when you get to the good part showing which countries are exempted from Import Duty. If you fit into one of these, don't get too excited yet as they will still want to hit you up for VAT and a couple of other things.

Calculating Thai Customs charges is an arcane art. I have met some pretty decent guys (for Customs Officers) at Chiangmai airport though on occasions in the past and there has been some room for "simplification and negotiation". Seems to depend on who else is in the room.

Good luck.

The guys at Thai Cargo here in Chiang Mai have been great. My bike wil be here tomorrow.

I realise now what duties I have to pay by courteous, efficient staff you can trust not by 3 goons sitting me down in a room for a shakedown and definately no 2000 baht "service fee". I will probably pay 2000 in shipping it to CM but at least it isn't going to that prick at the "freezone".....

Bloody expensive bike.....

Originally Posted by Bung

The guys at Thai Cargo here in Chiang Mai have been great. My bike wil be here tomorrow.

I realise now what duties I have to pay by courteous, efficient staff you can trust not by 3 goons sitting me down in a room for a shakedown and definately no 2000 baht "service fee". I will probably pay 2000 in shipping it to CM but at least it isn't going to that prick at the "freezone".....

Bloody expensive bike.....

I don't understand mhy you would bother for a bike.

I bought it for less than half price, it comes with a travel case worth $300 which I hope to sell, I had a bit of a windfall and wanted to keep it for sentimental reasons.

Originally Posted by Bung

I bought it for less than half price, it comes with a travel case worth $300 which I hope to sell, I had a bit of a windfall and wanted to keep it for sentimental reasons.

It's a fucking bike.
Show us the math that would justify importing a fucking bike.
A pushbike.

*Sigh* I didn't know I would get stung so severely and:

Originally Posted by Bung

I had a bit of a windfall and wanted to keep it for sentimental reasons.

Also it is none of your business why I chose to do something.