customs

[SueMartin 0]

does anyone know what I can bring in Duty free from Singapore? I dont want to have any hassles at Customs.

Edited April 10, 2006 by SueMartin

[upena 2]

http://www.worldtravelguide.net/country/du...&NAV_SubRegion=

 

according to the world travel guide

 

The following goods may be imported into Thailand without incurring customs duty by any person, irrespective of age:

200 cigarettes or 250g of tobacco or equal weight of cigars; 1l of alcoholic liquor; one still camera with five rolls of film or one movie camera with three rolls of 8mm or 16mm film.

 

I have violated this every time I visit as I bring more than one carton of cigarettes with me. I have NEVER been stopped by customs in over 30 years of visiting.

 

I dont flash my duty free items in the plastic bag - all my goods are in my suitcase and I dress casually - jeans and a T-shirt - nothing fancy and nothing grubby. Grab my bags off the carousel and hand my form to the customs guy and walk on out. A smile and a "Sawasdee Khrap" doesnt hurt either.

 

Returning from Thailand to the US is a different story. I get stopped about 50% of the time. No rhyme or reason in the US....1 year - 4 trips - never got stopped in US. the next year - 3 trips and stopped each time. Last year went 3 times and got stopped once. Asked a bunch of irrelevant questions (where do you work, what do you do), a cursory look at my stuff and then sent on through.

 

I wouldnt worry if you are visiting as long as your stuff is in your bags. There have been some stories on this board about rip-off guys telling visitors in the parking lot that they owe duty - but think these are scams. And some stories from those who live in Thailand getting stopped upon return from their home country, and I think I read one of someone transiting Don Muang airport with hundreds of cartons of cigarettes and getting stopped and fined heavily.

 

The only reason I bring the extra cigarettes is that they dont carry my brand (Kools) in Thailand

[SueMartin 0]

thank you very much..sometimes as a woman on here I feel a little left out.. so thanx

[lostinspace 0]

Yes sue the duty free bag is a dead give away.good post UPENA.

[aussiechic 209]

Arriving in Thailand from Australia via Singapore I can't see any reason( except for Name brands) to bring anthing with us. Everything in duty free is dearer that what you find on the street. We arrive in Thailand with a carry on bag (no waiting) with a change of clothes and not much else. First day vist the Big C for the essencels, buy clothes at the markets and party on.

 

P.S. going home is a different matter Two suitcase each. We are open and freindly with the custom officers and have had no problems.

[carpediem 0]

aussiechic

Posted: Apr 13 2006, 12:32 PM

 

 

Arriving in Thailand from Australia via Singapore I can't see any reason( except for Name brands) to bring anthing with us. Everything in duty free is dearer that what you find on the street. We arrive in Thailand with a carry on bag (no waiting) with a change of clothes and not much else.

 

 

 

Are you serious? Scotch whiskey cheaper at Big C than at BKK duty free? If so I don' suppose Kuala Lumpur - which I'm transiting - would be any better.

 

cd

[Big Chief 0]

Big Chief get stop at custom one time. Big Chief come from China, and have 5 bottle fire water from China (Bye Joe). Man tell Big Chief put carpet bag through metal hole. Man ask Big Chief what in bottle. Big Chief tell man in Thai language, "it is firewater from China, Big Chief bring for Thai friends and New Year. Big Chief and Thai friends get drunk and make pow wow." Thai man laugh and give Big Chief thumb up and tell Big Chief go and do not drink too much firewater.

 

One other time in 1,998 Big Chief stopped in customs. Big Chief bring many electrical boxes for machine from USA. Thai man ask what in carpet bag. Thai man open carpet bag and see electric boxes. Many many boxes worth many many face paper. Tell Big Chief must declare. Big Chief smile, reach into loin cloth and get face paper from USA 100. Shake Thai man hand with face paper. Thai man tell Big Chief have nice day.

 

Big Chief say no worry about customs in Thailand pale faces. If some trouble, you take out face paper and problem go away.

[Cennn3 0]

Big Chief going to try and bribe custom man too often and end up in big Ti Pi monkey house.

[Owen` 2]

American BMs would be wise to search "customs" in the archives. The US customs, on return from LOS, are very strict and search men travelling alone -- including a look at your digital camera memory and your laptop pictures archives.

 

ERASE ANYTHING QUESTIONABLE, and remember Asians tend to look younger than their age.

[dotcom_OD 0]

Owen is right on.......all I can say is do not bring anything that customs can question or detain you........nuff said..........

[guido13 0]

Returning from Thailand to the US is a different story. I get stopped about 50% of the time. No rhyme or reason in the US....1 year - 4 trips - never got stopped in US. the next year - 3 trips and stopped each time. Last year went 3 times and got stopped once. Asked a bunch of irrelevant questions (where do you work, what do you do), a cursory look at my stuff and then sent on through.

 

Those so called irrelevant questions are designed basically to observe your reaction to them. People that are lying, up to no good etc, will often display nervousness during routine questioning.

If the agent notices any unusual behavior, you can bet they will be going through your luggage very closely.

 

Guido

Edited May 22, 2006 by guido13

[too_mutt 10]

American BMs would be wise to search "customs" in the archives.  The US customs, on return from LOS, are very strict and search men travelling alone -- including a look at your digital camera memory and your laptop pictures archives.

 

ERASE ANYTHING QUESTIONABLE, and remember Asians tend to look younger than their age.

I'm curious if anyone has had paper notebooks looked at by customs. The kind that you might use to jot down notes about bars, MPs, etc. The kind of thing that might identify one as more than a run of the mill tourist.

 

Regards

Edited May 23, 2006 by SoCalGuy