[ultimda horaf]

I've sent a couple packages of various items to my girl in Udon. I send them U.S. Postal Service Priority Mail (big bucks) so they will arrive before the clothes are out of style (hehe). She has to pay to get them, why? Is it duty on the items? Is it based on the declared value of the package or the weight? She's asked me to stop sending stuff and I'm sure it's because of this. I know she likes what I send because she proudly wears something I sent during our video chats. I've offered to reimburse her for what she's paid and she wont let me. I think it's crummy that a Thai citizen would have to pay duty on a gift. Is there any way to "pre-pay" this unfair fee?

[Aeaefee]

Most countries levy import duty on parcels received, in the UK we have to pay it on anything over the value of 18GBP (about US$30). I don't know about the US Postal system but anything I send from the UK I use just regular mail and it arrives in rural Isaan within 5 or 6 days. But my wife has never had to pay to receive anything that I have sent to her.

David

[SoorgoBardy]

Thai custom also levies import duty for items sent from abroad. I am not certain how much is the cut off but the number of 2000 baht comes to mind. The recipient of the package will have to pick it up at the post office and pay the duty. Rates vary, luxury items such as perfume, cosmetics, clothings can be as high as 20-50% of the value.

[Bejemoelemymn]

I used to send plenty of items to my wife in Bangkok. Never had any fees assessed, other than insufficient postage.

[tevyrefficy]

I have a lot of stuff sent from US.
Vitamins and suppliments, cooking utenils, anything I want and can't get here, which is quite a list, and some duty is charged and sometimes not, but nothing ever makes in under 2 weeks and some a month and all is shipped USPS International Priority Express and usually size and weight considered is the Flat Rate Box, 12"x 12"x 6". for $35.
I couldn't see shipping cloths over here as nothing is made in US and about anything you can get there that would be suitable to wear here is sold here at 1/8 the price.
I was in China for awhile and had a girl friend that was always wanting me to buy stuff for my daughter and ship it home, and I had a hard time explaining to her so she could understand that damn near everything in the US was made here and they alredy had it there, the people could not get it in their minds that I had came from the industrial giant and got off the plane already wearing Chinese made pants, shirt and deck shoes and I even had to show some the "MADE IN CHINA" tags in the stuff.
If you want to send her something nice, something she can use and get some good out of,, send her an ATM card and PIN to your bank account, she will get some use from that.

[VipInoLo]

I couldn't see shipping cloths over here as nothing is made in US and about anything you can get there that would be suitable to wear here is sold here at 1/8 the price.

Well In the old days I used to have Levi's 501's and Calvin Klein Jeans that were made in the USA and they did not last as long as my made in china rubbish, so now I just by the cheap jeans, why waist your money with jeans that are made in the USA.

[ultimda horaf]

Thanks to all for the informative comments. I had forgotten about the flat rate box, thanks. I used to get those when I worked in Iraq. A dear friend would ocassionally send me something to quench my thirst, wink wink. And the clothes I sent were actually made in Sri Lanka, but I catch your drift. My mistake was putting a declared value of $400 on the customs form. I do intend on leaving an ATM card with her next month and that will solve th problem.

[domeffire]

Thanks to all for the informative comments. I had I do intend on leaving an ATM card with her next month and that will solve th problem.

I urge caution bigbubba. This could cause you a lot of problems. Many families think they have won the lottery when a daughter finds a Farang suitor and supplying an ATM card will confirm that. She will be expected to share her good fortune with her relatives, and may find herself under a lot of pressure to give them money, and in 99% of cases the family comes first.

[tevyrefficy]

Levi's 501's and Calvin Klein Jeans Damn Paul, 501s might be OK but them others have the fly zipper on the side don't they?

I do intend on leaving an ATM card with her next month and that will solve th problem. Thats a smart guy, you could just put in the mail and mail the card and then give her the pin in a letter or online when you are chatting and she could have it in her care when you finally get here, might even save you some air fare too.

[9Goarveboofe]

Thats a smart guy, you could just put in the mail and mail the card and then give her the pin in a letter or online when you are chatting and she could have it in her care when you finally get here, might even save you some air fare too.

[Figelac]

I urge caution bigbubba. This could cause you a lot of problems. Many families think they have won the lottery when a daughter finds a Farang suitor and supplying an ATM card will confirm that. She will be expected to share her good fortune with her relatives, and may find herself under a lot of pressure to give them money, and in 99% of cases the family comes first.

Sound so insulting.!?
Thailand is like every developing country on this planet earth where most people have been looking forward to an opportunity to live a better life. Excessive spending could happen occasionally to everyone and you can always limit the sum of money put in the ATM’s account to avoid that. Above all, try your best to create understanding about everything if she is your real soul mate.

[VipInoLo]

I'm not into sending money, Unless it is towards an education for her to attend English classes.

[tevyrefficy]

Why, that means westernizing, and if she learns english you would have to listen to her.

[StitlyDute]

Last year, my bf sent me stuff. I had a notice telling me to go pick it up at the local post office. I did and i had to pay about 500 hundred to get the package. I asked them why I had to pay for it while i didn't for the previous packages sent to me. They said they were some items in the package that had to do with the tax/duty thing. Apparently, DVDs. I got pissed when i saw a big red sign on the package saying "Opened for Examination by XXXX Department".

By the way, letting your girl access to your ATM or bank account isn't a bad thing as long as you believe your trust wouldn't be mistreated.

When i'm married, i won't keep my husband's ATM or credit card but i'll need to know every action made in the account and what they are for.

[Poohoppesmase]

... letting your girl access to your ATM or bank account isn't a bad thing...

In the law's eyes it is a bad thing, it is illegal, fraud can be punishable with a prison sentence.

[StitlyDute]

In the law's eyes it is a bad thing, it is illegal, fraud can be punishable with a prison sentence.

Not when you LET the person do it. Means that person is allowed to do it. Ya know like when ya ask for a divorce and are willing to pay your ass off for it.

I hope that's not happening after you letting your girl have all the access to all your financial things. LOL

And i was talking about trust between lovers. I was just trying to say that trusting your lovers by letting them carry your ATM isn't a bad thing.

[Poohoppesmase]

Not when you LET the person do it. Means that person is allowed to do it.

Like I said before, it's fraudulent. When the person uses the ATM card that you gave them, they are taking on your identity, which is fraud in the eyes of the law.

[StitlyDute]

Not mine.

[tevyrefficy]

Sounds like this STASH dude must be a failing law student in a 1 star English city collage.
Wonder where he comes up with this stuff.

Maybe he talking about a Bournemouth local village law.

[Z3s9vQZj]

Why, that means westernizing, and if she learns english you would have to listen to her.

Once upon a time I had the same misguided idea to send my future wife an ATM card. I asked my bank about it and they got into quite a snit about the idea. Can;t remember if the word fraud was used.