If you are shipping cargo to Thailand, there is some required documentation for international cargo shipping to Thailand you should have in order. This includes the following:
- Passport (original)
- Non-immigrant Visa or Resident Visa valid for at least one year
- Work Permit (original) or copy of Board of Investment (B.O.I.) Letter (to Customs) valid for one year
It is helpful if you are able to coordinate the arrival of your cargo shipment to Thailand with the issuing of your Work Permit in order to facilitate duty-free entry.
When you are shipping cargo to Thailand, you also need to provide a detailed inventory of the items that you are shipping. You’ll want to include at least two copies of your inventory, easily readable and written in English. The information that you should plan to have on your shipping inventory to Thailand includes the following:
- Manner of packing (carton, wrapped, crated, etc.)
- For all electrical appliances, the brand name, model and serial number
- For televisions, the diameter of the picture tube and whether color or black and white
- Copy of insurance policy (if applicable)
- Shipper’s contact address and phone number
If you are shipping cargo to Thailand it is advisable that you plan to be in Thailand for the customs clearance of your goods. It is advisable that you arrive in Thailand before your shipment. All cargo shipments to Thailand are subject to inspection. In addition, you should originate from the same country as your cargo shipment.
You can qualify for duty free shipping if you have a full year work permit or a one year Visa to work in Thailand. If you are seeking duty free shipping to Thailand with a work permit, your cargo shipment should not arrive later than six months after the date of your work permit in Thailand.
You may also qualify for duty free shipping if you are a Thai resident returning to Thailand after having lived outside of the country for at least one year or more. If you qualify for duty free shipping to Thailand, you are allowed duty-free import of one air shipment and one sea shipment from the country of your most recent residence.
Restricted Items and Dutiable Items when Shipping to Thailand
If you are shipping to Thailand, please note that some items may be dutiable or require invoices. This includes the following:
- New items (require invoices)
- Alcohol
- Tobacco products
- Art pieces and antiques
- Live plants (Health Certificate required)
When shipping to Thailand, you may be expected to pay particularly high duty fees on items like stereo and video equipment, appliances, luxury goods, carpets, food items, and office equipment.
In addition, you may be restricted by the number of appliance items you can ship. If you are shipping more than one of the same type of appliance, you will likely be charged full duty fees.
Computers, fax machines and phones may cause problems when shipping to Thailand. These items may not be considered household or personal goods but considered office equipment which is dutiable.
Prohibited Items from Shipment to Thailand
When shipping to Thailand, you will find that some items are restricted from shipment. The following items are prohibited from shipment to Thailand including:
- Narcotics and drugs
- Medical equipment
- Gold and Silver
- Certain plants and fruits are prohibited from shipment to Thailand
- Radio equipment and transmitters
- Pornographic materials
If you are interested in shipping firearms, weapons, ammunition and dangerous objects to Thailand, you will be expected to pay taxes and licensure fees, and the licensure process can be very time consuming. Please note that you SHOULD NOT put these types of goods in a household goods shipment.
Shipping a Car to Thailand
If you want to ship a car or some other type of vehicle to Thailand, you are only allowed to do this if you apply for and receive permission from the Ministry of Commerce prior to shipment. This permission to ship a car to Thailand is very hard to obtain for any person who is not a diplomat. Duty fees on car shipping to Thailand can be as high as 300% on the value of a new vehicle.
In addition, there is some required paperwork for shipping a vehicle to Thailand which includes your automobile registration, driver’s license from the country where your car is exported, and an import permit. The import permit is required before a car can be shipped to Thailand.
Bringing a Pet to Thailand
If you are moving overseas to Thailand or returning to the country after having been away for a while, you may have a pet that you are interested in bringing with you. Before you can bring a pet to Thailand, it is important that you know some of the rules and regulations.
All animals entering Thailand are subject to duty fees. You will also need to provide information about your pet including sex, name, age and breed. Further, quarantine for your animal may be required.
Additional paperwork required for bringing a pet to Thailand includes the following:
- Import permit
- Health Certificate that provides evidence of rabies vaccination administered 7 days prior to departure
- Vaccination Certificate
- Pedigree (if available)
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. Choosing the right international sea shipping company can help make your experience with overseas moving and international shipping to Thailand favorable.