What Travellers should Know about Customs
1. Customs Duties
A. Importation of all kinds of goods is subject to payment of duties and taxes according to Customs laws and other related laws.
B. Duty Free Allowances for those entering the Kingdom of Thailand -
1. Not more than 500 grams or 1 carton of tobacco products (1 carton = 10 packs), visitors bringing into Thailand more than 1 carton of tobacco would be subjectd to fines of approximately 3,555 Baht per carton for the excess tobacco
2. 1 Litre of alcoholic drinks
3. Personal effects for personal or professional use in appropriate quantity not exceeding 10,000 Baht
2. Prohibited and restricted goods
A. Importation or exportation of certain goods is prohibited such as narcotics, pornographic materials and some species of wildlife. Narcotic offenders, either processing, traficking, possesing or consuming, shall face severe penalties up to a death sentence.
B. Importation or exportation of certain goods is restricted, requiring a license or a permit from the authorities concerned prior to their importation or exportation. These goods include:-
Items
Firearms, ammunitions, explosives - Police Department
Buddha images, works of art and antiques - Fine Arts Department
Radio transreceivers and telecommunications equipment - Post & Telegraph Department
Living plants and plating materials - Department of Agriculture
Any animal and animal products - Department of Livestock Developement
Medicines and chemical products - Office of Food and Drugs Administration
3. Importing Medication into the Kingdom
Medications contain narcotic substance are prohibited to bring into Thailand at all. However, medications which contain psychotropic substances are allowed to bring into Thailand for the 2, 3, 4 category. In order to bring such medication, you are required to comply with the regulations:
1. For each prescription have a letter from your doctor
2. Keep your medication in the original package with a label on it
3. Bring medication only for personal used and not more than one month supply
4. Fill out a declaration form which may be given on board or at the airport
Please have your medication clarified by a doctor whether the medications contain those substances before carrying into Thailand
4. Currency
A. Persons can freely bring on any amount of Thai or Foreign currency into Thailand
B. Persons can freely take out any amount of foreign currency, persons traveling to Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Vietnam can take out up to 500,000 Baht. Persons traveling to other countries may take out up to 50,000 Baht.
5. Customs Clearance
A. Passengers are required to complete the Customs Declaration Form before going through Customs.
B. Passengers with goods to declare should proceed to the Red Channel, and passengers who have nothing to declare should proceed to the Green Channel.
C. Accompanied dutiable items which are subject to the payment of duties and taxes can be declared upon arrival under the following condition:
1. The items are not commercial value
2. The value of dutiable items does not exceed 80,000 Baht
3. Payment of Customs duties and taxes must be made in cash on arrival
6. Dutiable items or restricted articles in transit
Any valuable, dutiable and/or restricted articles that are not intended for use in Thailand must be declared, and they should be deposited in the Customs Bond. They can be reclaimed upon departure.
7. A.T.A. carnet
Goods subject to temporary importation and re-exportation by using A.T.A. carnet document as a guarantee, the travelers bringing in such goods are required to inform the Customs officer at the Red Channel for clearing facilitation at the Customs Office.
Good subject to temporary importation and re-exportation by using A.T.A. carnet documents as a guarantee, the travelers taking out such goods are required to take such goods together with A.T.A. carnet document to show the Customs officer for inspection before departing from the country.
Warning:
FAILURE TO DECLARE DUTIABLE, RESTRICTED OR PROHIBITED ARTICLES WILL LEAD TO A FINE AMOUNTING TO FOUR TIMES OF THEIR VALUE, PLUS DUTIES AND TAXES, AND/OR IMPRISONMENT. SUCH ARTICLES WILL ALSO BE CONFISCATED. IF IN DOUBT, PLEASE ASK A CUSTOMS OFFICER.
Reference: Thai Customs Information
Further information can be found at Thai Customs Department
