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Introduction to the Customs Clearance Procedures on the Importation of Used Household Effects

The Criteria of Granting Exemption from Payment of Customs Duty

The basic requirements for the importation of such effects to be granted exemption from the payment of Customs duties and taxes must be such used household effects are accompanying the importer changing domicile and must be in reasonable amounts. 

The said items must be imported not earlier than one month before or not later than six months after the arrival of the importer. 

Effects to be Granted Exemption from Payment of Customs Duty

Secondhand household effects to be granted exemption from payment of Customs Duty must be in reasonable quantity and imported from the country in which the owner has domicile prior to change of domicile to Thailand. The importation of only one item of such electric appliances as a refrigerator, and air-conditioner, a television, a radio etc. will be exempted from Customs Duty. However, in case of changing of domicile of the whole family, two items will be exempted. The imported electric appliances exceeding limited quantity shall not be granted duty exemption. In this case, the amount of duty shall be calculated from the items which yield the higher amount of duties. 

Documentation

For the clearance of goods the importer is required to prepare the following document: 
  1. Identify card 
  2. Passport (In case of personal effects and/or used household effect) 
  3. Bill of lading 
  4. Delivery order 
  5. Invoice or proforma invoice (If any) 
  6. In the case where the importer is unable to show up, a letter of authorization is required for the agent. 
  7. In the case of foreigners changing domicile to Thailand, either of the following documents is required:



    8. - Non immigrant quota as shown on the passport or resident book, or; 
    - Proof of entrance into Thailand as an expert, specilist or consultant to any government agency in the form of a letter certifying that such a person has received a non-immigrant visa issued by the Immigration Bureau to work and reside in Thailand for at least one year; or 
    - A one-year work permit from the Skills Development Department; - A one-year no-immigrant visa: 
  8. If the importer is a Thai, he must be a person, Thai Government official who working abroad or a student studying abroad not less than one year. Provided that these people have to return to Thailand before a one year period. They must have certain evidence to prove that such return is due to either the termination of contract, reshuffle of posts, or graduate in his relevant study.

Information Service

The Thais and Foreigners who wish to claim their personal effects and/or used household effects are requested t contact the Privileged Goods And Investment Promotion Sub-Division, Formalities and Assessment Division, Customs Department at Tel. (662) 249-2314 or Fax (662) 249-4213. 

The Department will provide Customs officers to assist in processing customs clearance without any charge. 

Suggestions

In case of any inconvenience you may have, please immediately contact the Chief of Privileged Goods and Investment Promotion Sub-Division or the Director of the Formalities and Assessment Division. 

Money may be paid to an agent acting on behalf of the importer but Customs Officers and the Customs Department provide services free of charge. 



Source: The Formalities and Assessment Division, Customs Department 

***This page is maintained by the Office of Economic and Financial Affairs, Washington, DC who can be reached at econ-fin@ari.net. *** 

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