Before asking another friend to return from the states with four designer bags, consider the recent threat by customs officials to actually enforce duties.
The THB10,000 limit for duty free goods is among the most routinely ignored laws and regulations, but everyone freaked out this week after customs put up a large, scary sign at Suvarnabhumi Airport warning travelers they must pay tax for bringing in goods worth more than THB10,000.
“So you only want us to buy only keychains from a trip abroad?” user Snakeeye wrote. “How could anyone think of this law?”
Although there’s nothing new about the law, snapshots of the sign spread online and were met with reactions of disbelief.
If the things purchased and brought back to Thailand – including the clothes on your back – add up to more than THB10,000, officials say they’re going to impose the tax.
Loopholes are likely to endure however, as gifts, second-hand goods and “empty boxes” are exempt from the duty.
loses the case, the smuggled goods will be seized and they would be liable to a fine of four times the assessed value, including the import duty, and/or a prison term of up to 10 years.
Somchai Sajjapong, Director-general of the Customs Department, said yesterday the organization only put up the signs – which threaten hefty fines and prison time – three weeks ago to educate citizens about the existing law and now have removed them “to ease citizens’ worries.”
He added that customs officers will continue to randomly inspect citizens’ baggage with x-ray scanner because the illegal smuggling in of goods for trade has been increasing.
With high-end goods provocatively sold online for cheaper prices than the original price tags at their shops in Thailand, illegally imported items attract a large demographic of customers.
The sign states one passenger is allowed to carry less than THB10,000 worth of privately owned items, noting that “souvenirs and gifts for your bosses are not included” and importers have to pay tax, Manager reported.
You know what this means, ladies. After putting out THB50,000 to jet over to another continent, you’re limited to only one Coach bag from an outlet store, and Prada is definitely out of the picture.
