Tools

[Taffy]

Hi all. (oh no not another Welshman) I am to live in Buriram next year after selling up and would like to know if the Thai customs will allow me to bring some of my tools in to the country in my suitcase. I'm thinking electric drill to chisels.

[fishy]

I don't know the legalities but a friend of a friend I know has brought in many such items... Planners, Knife steels, various vegetable seeds, electric leaf blower, meats,....and the list goes on and on.. My friend of a friend reckons if your a bit nervy about clearing customs then wait for a group of (not being racist) Chinese with large bags or others with big bags to enter custom's.. Follow them through.. Even with saying that if your baggage is small you will walk straight through anyway.  My friend sleeps fine of a night and is planning his next bag of goodies to bring back over here.     

[urleft]

I just (today) brought in 5 large bags from the USA, walked right thru customs with no issues.  But once I had 3 large bags and customs did stop me for X-Ray, didn't have anythng questionable so no issues.  Another time I was stopped and told to X-Ray (I think they thought I was trying to import and sell) but once they saw I was on a retirement extension I was waved thru.

However, I used to bring in a lot of advanced electronics and when I had something questionable I would use Fast Track to get me thru immigration and customs hassle free:

https://www.limousine.in.th/fast-track-immigration.html

[Freddy]

I think it unlikely that Thai customs will be that fussed about an electric drill and some chisels even if they do find them. Worst that can happen is you pay an import tax/duty.

[Taffy]

Thanks for the info lads. I feel a little more comfortable now.

[nanglong218]

Are you coming alone, has your wife been away for one year?  If it all fits in a suitcase don't worry. Dump the cheap heavy stuff, buy here.  Quality gear is another matter, very expensive here, local stuff rubbish.  I came here with 500 kilo of stuff but wife returning after ten years so no tax. Go online and check it all out or you'll pay a fortune. 

[nanglong218]

I'll follow this up with a suggestion that you join Thaivisa site and ask for advice from Ubonjoe.  This guy knows everything and happily passes his knowledge on.

[Taffy]

Sorry for the delay. I will be travelling alone and want to bring some of my tools as I agree that the Thai tools aint as good as the ones that I'm used to. Gonna bring as much hand tools as I can in at least two journeys as long as I am allowed to.
Thanks.

[nanglong218]

Stay in touch Taffy, we'll have a beer sometime