Shipping to Thailand
Shipping to Thailand
Formerly known as Siam, Thailand is home to many cargo shipping ports including the Port of Bangkok, Port of Chieng Saen, Port of Chiang Kong and Port of Ranong.
Before shipping to Thailand, it is important to understand the required documentation for international cargo shipping to Thailand. This includes the following:
- Original Passport
- Visa, valid for at least one year (either Non-immigrant Visa or Resident Visa)
- Original Work Permit or copy of Board of Investment (B.O.I.) Letter written to Customs and valid for a year
It is helpful if you are able to coordinate your Work Permit with the arrival of your cargo shipment to Thailand. This helps to facilitate duty-free shipping to Thailand.
When you are shipping cargo to Thailand, you also need to create a detailed inventory of your personal items, household goods, and anything else that you are shipping. Make sure to include at least two copies of your detailed inventory. Your shipping inventory should be easy to read and written in English.
The information that you need to document on your shipping inventory to Thailand includes:
- How your items are packed (in a carton, wrapped, crated, pallet, drum, etc.)
- For all electrical appliances, please include the brand name, model, make and serial number
- For TVs, you should document the diameter of the picture tube and whether the TV is color or black and white
- Insurance Policy (copy is acceptable)
- Shipper’s contact address and phone
If you are shipping cargo to Thailand it is recommended that you are present in Thailand for the customs clearance process. It is advisable that you arrange to be in Thailand before your shipment arrives in the country. You should also originate from the same country as your cargo shipment.
All cargo shipments entering a shipping port in Thailand are subject to inspection from customs officials.
You can qualify for duty free shipping to Thailand if you have a work permit in Thailand for at least one year or a one year Visa to work in Thailand. If you would like to have duty free shipping to Thailand with a work permit, your cargo shipment should not arrive after six months from the time of your work permit.
You may also qualify for duty free shipping to Thailand if you are a resident of the country returning to Thailand after having lived away for a year or longer. If you qualify for duty free shipping to Thailand, you can import one air shipment and one sea shipment duty free to Thailand from the country of your most recent residence.
Restricted Items and Dutiable Items when Cargo Shipping to Thailand
If you are shipping to Thailand, please note that you may have to pay duty fees on some items, and some items may require invoices. This includes the following:
- New products, goods, equipment or any new item (requires invoices documenting price)
- Alcohol
- Tobacco and tobacco products
- Any type of artwork and antiques
- Plants require a Health Certificate from Thailand officials
When shipping cargo to Thailand, you may have to pay higher duty fees on items like electrical appliances, certain luxury goods, carpets, food, stereo and video equipment, and any type of office equipment.
In addition, you may be restricted by the number of appliances you are allowed to ship to Thailand. If you are shipping more than one of the same type of appliance (for example, two refrigerators or three blenders) you may have to pay full duty fees.
Computers, fax machines and phones may cause some difficulty when shipping to Thailand. This is because these types of items may not be regarded as household goods but instead labeled as office equipment which is dutiable.
Prohibited Items from Shipment to Thailand
When shipping to Thailand, please note that there are restrictions on certain things from entering the country. The following items are prohibited from shipment to Thailand:
- Drugs/narcotics
- Silver and gold
- Medical equipment
- Some plants and certain fruits
- Radio equipment and transmitters
- Pornography
If you are interested in shipping firearms, weapons, ammunition and any type of dangerous objects to Thailand, you will have to obtain proper licenses and also pay certain taxes and fees. The licensure process can take a considerable amount of time. Please do not put these types of items in a container of household goods.
Vehicle Shipping to Thailand
If you are interested in vehicle shipping to Thailand, you must receive permission in advance. You are only allowed to ship a car to Thailand if you apply for and receive permission in advance from the Ministry of Commerce in Thailand.
This permission for vehicle shipping to Thailand is difficult to obtain for any person who is not a foreign diplomat. Duty fees on vehicle shipping to Thailand can be as high as 300% on the value of a new car.
In addition, there is some required paperwork for shipping a car to Thailand which includes:
- Automobile Registration
- Driver’s License from the country where your car is exported
- Import permit (please note: an import permit is needed before a vehicle can be shipped to Thailand)
There is a lot to think about as you plan an overseas move to Thailand or some other destination worldwide. A professional cargo shipping agency will help you navigate all of the country specific rules and regulations, paperwork and logistics involved in shipping to Thailand.
Choosing the right international cargo shipping company can help make your experience with overseas movingand international shipping to Thailand much easier. You can get a fast and free freight quote from Cargo Experts, or you can call toll free 1- 866-994-7822 for more information about international shipping to Thailand.