help shipping personal items from USA to Udon

[mangon1947]

Just moved here late November 2008 and want to send some small personal items here. I have checked into several methods and all seem extremely expensive. My son checked with UPS and they said it cost about $90 per 20 pound box - also said that was the cheapest method. I also read info that if I ship personal items here while I am on an OA Visa I can avoid customs taxes. I think it said items must be received within 6 months of my arrival here to qualify for tax free status. There are other limits too such as only one of each type of item, etc.

Does anyone have more info on this matter - could use all help available

Thanks,
Ed

[papaguido]

Don't think you qualify, but here's the link:

http://www.customs.go.th/Customs-Eng/Ho ... equirement

I sent most of my stuff through USPS and addressed everything to my wife. I never experienced any problems with customs duty, open packages or theft. I wasn't in a hurry to get my things so I used surface (via ship), it took 4-6 weeks but it was the least expensive.

[mangon1947]

Thanks for the info - guess I should have thought of using the wife's name. I do remember sending here an electronic english translator via mail that she had to pay 1000 baht customs for, but maybe that is for express shipments. I imagine stuff by ship comes in to the port in such bulk that they don't mess with it much. Any pointers in assigning value to the shipment, etc. on the customs form. Do you think there would be any problem in using her married name vs thai name?

Thanks again,
Ed

[papaguido]

Ed,

I always used my wife's maiden name. I always marked gift on the customs form. If I were sending electronic goods I never claimed it on the form. I also used craft paper to wrap the box/package. In 18 mos of sending stuff I never had a problem. As for in insurance I never bothered, to much of a pain in the azz to make a claim on an international package. That on the fact that postal workers here might think that's no great loss to the sender since it's insured.