I recently purchased 2 bottle of men's cologne from ebay, the seller is based in the United States.
Price per bottle : $25 + Free DHL Shipping
I requested the seller to ship me DHL for the 1st bottle and USPS 1st Class Mail for the 2nd Bottle. Just wanting to try out the mail service as i was told by a friend that DHL or FEDex usually have something to do with Thai Customs for tax while Normal mail does not . So i tried.
1st Bottle
It turns out i got taxed by the customs + Handling Fees from DHL : total including tax and handling fees DHL : 401 Thai Baht
Arrival : 4 Days
2nd Bottle
And as for the Normal 1st Class USPS mail i did not need to pay any tax or Handling fee Thailand post send it to my doorstep with ease
Arrival 14 Days
Should i request to send Via normal 1st Class USPS next time ?
why is that i got taxed + Handing fees when using DHL ?
0
My Mail Got Taxed
Started by ManOnTheRoad, 2012-01-03 19:34
|
24 replies to this topic
#2
cmsally
Platinum Member Posted 2012-01-03 19:51:23
DHL is a bugger. The tax is ridiculous and totally doesn't make sense.
My son was sent some shoes and although a low value had been put for customs, they had added in the cost of shipping into the value of the goods. It was clearly there to see on the form in their calculations. There's nothing you can do about it, you either pay or you don't get your goods. I would avoid them like the plague. #3
Orac
Super Member Posted 2012-01-03 20:01:21
DHL is a bugger. The tax is ridiculous and totally doesn't make sense. My son was sent some shoes and although a low value had been put for customs, they had added in the cost of shipping into the value of the goods. It was clearly there to see on the form in their calculations. There's nothing you can do about it, you either pay or you don't get your goods. I would avoid them like the plague. The shipping costs are liable to duty and taxes in Thailand so they were correct to show them. The system is virtually the same for most of Europe where duty is payable on shipping charges up to the EU border and taxes payable on all transport costs to final destination. #4
thaimate
my way or the highway Posted 2012-01-03 21:59:20
SAme happened to me ,hope the enjoyed the marmite and other stuff ,told them to keep it as i would not pay more than the stuff was worth , no longer use dhl
#5
arthurwait
Senior Member Posted 2012-01-03 22:05:16
I got taxed on my last ebay purchase it worked out something like 30%. I can't remember how it was sent though.
My wife has told me she's had to pay tax several times when picking packages up. Things my mum has sent as presents. If she's written a value on it. #6
tangcoral
Senior Member Posted 2012-01-04 01:18:11
I have gotten taxed twice by postal mail. Received a note that I must claim my package at the post office and had to pay about 20%
So postal is not aways scott free. #7
onionluke
Pickled Member Posted 2012-01-04 01:32:48
I can not even read this . I got taxed 14 000 + plus for a bunch of old pots and pans .
#8
473geo
Platinum Member Posted 2012-01-04 01:44:33
Interesting to know if the 'packages' are all/or majority, addressed to a western name
#9
Patron
Senior Member Posted 2012-01-04 06:22:08
I have mailed many,many boxes to Nakhon Sawan from the U.S. I always use a old cardboard box and seal it with
masking tape. I always declare it as $30 worth of clothes, addressed in Thai. The cheapest shipping rate and no insurance. USPS...never,ever a problem. 6-15 days. Right to the doorstep, unopened and never taxed. The clothes are used to wrap around the good stuff. I think a fancy shipping box,with the highest shipping cost and insurance might just raise some eyebrows. DHL,UPS,FEDEX...No way. #10
arthurwait
Senior Member Posted 2012-01-04 07:45:43
I have mailed many,many boxes to Nakhon Sawan from the U.S. I always use a old cardboard box and seal it with masking tape. I always declare it as $30 worth of clothes, addressed in Thai. The cheapest shipping rate and no insurance. USPS...never,ever a problem. 6-15 days. Right to the doorstep, unopened and never taxed. The clothes are used to wrap around the good stuff. I think a fancy shipping box,with the highest shipping cost and insurance might just raise some eyebrows. DHL,UPS,FEDEX...No way. Unfortunately if you use the British postal system and send anything unrecorded it quite often goes missing. I was always amazed in the last years before moving out here how virtually every christmas card had been opened already. #12
theblether
Platinum Pedigree Best Behaviour Blether Posted 2012-01-04 18:56:13
Interesting to know if the 'packages' are all/or majority, addressed to a western name I had four pairs of shoes sent by courier from China to my girlfriends house in her name, no tax. #13
jayjayjayjay
Glenloy Bay-O-Fire Posted 2012-01-04 21:28:58
Search TV for DHL posts. This racket has been going on for years.. It's thievery.
#14
arthurwait
Senior Member Posted 2012-01-04 21:53:23
One more time... ? #15
ManOnTheRoad
Senior Member Posted 2012-01-05 07:23:11
Thank you for your inputs
#16
cornishcarlos
Senior Member Posted 2012-02-09 22:19:51
Just got told by my wife that UPS is trying to charge her 608 baht for a package I sent from Europe !! Customs tax apparently..
When she asked how they calculate the charge, they couldn't tell her  But not to contact customs, only talk with UPS about it... Mmmmmmm.Value stated on package, 5 euro.. Weight 500g.. They told her it was because it was 5kg, when she pointed out that it was 0.5kg they told her it would be 230 baht.. Now I'm pretty sure customs doesn't tax by weight !!!! Is this a blatant rip off ??? I did pay 52 euro for the privilege of going with UPS, would this cost figure anywhere into the 'taxing' of the package... I'm not convinced but as it is our wedding albumn, I think she should pay it if they can produce a valid tax invoice from customs.. Does anyone have an example of a customs invoice they could maybe mail to me, would be interested to know what they look like Thanks #17
NanLaew
International Gypsy Member Posted 2012-02-10 00:38:54
One more time... ? There's a difference between COURIER companies and the POSTAL services. The OP (and all the others) should learn the differences, use them appropriately and stop whining. #18
Orac
Super Member Posted 2012-02-10 11:40:54
Just got told by my wife that UPS is trying to charge her 608 baht for a package I sent from Europe !! Customs tax apparently.. When she asked how they calculate the charge, they couldn't tell her But not to contact customs, only talk with UPS about it... Mmmmmmm.Value stated on package, 5 euro.. Weight 500g.. They told her it was because it was 5kg, when she pointed out that it was 0.5kg they told her it would be 230 baht.. Now I'm pretty sure customs doesn't tax by weight !!!! Is this a blatant rip off ??? I did pay 52 euro for the privilege of going with UPS, would this cost figure anywhere into the 'taxing' of the package... I'm not convinced but as it is our wedding albumn, I think she should pay it if they can produce a valid tax invoice from customs.. Does anyone have an example of a customs invoice they could maybe mail to me, would be interested to know what they look like Thanks Technically Thai Customs do charge by weight to some extent as the duty/taxes are based on CIF landed value so part of the charge covers the courier costs which are weight related. How much freight charge is added on is a point that is disputable as it appears there is a scale applied which does not seems to be the same as the charges that are actually paid. #19
billybobthedog
Member Posted 2012-02-10 19:04:08
It is not just DHL, the majority of the international transport brigade are in on this tax rip off! They probably split it 50/50 with the ever vigilant Thai customs.\
I received a few boxes of free T-shirts to give to a local school (They were from a friend in China) FEDEX/Thai customs wanted 17000 Baht duty - the declared value was 110 USD! And they were going to be given away to the poorer kids where we live as a gift! SHITS! Edited by billybobthedog, 2012-02-10 19:04:29. #20
wpcoe
Platinum Member Posted 2012-02-11 18:48:50
On another thread is a user who has used FedEx for shipments from Amazon in USA via Shipito "many times," and only gets charged 7% VAT on the amount he declares. (If I understood the Shipito web site correctly, you complete the customs declaration yourself and forward it to them, so can declare the value you deem appropriate.)
Prior to his report, all I had read on various Thai discussion boards was that Fedex, UPS, DHL, etc *all* held up your shipment until customs duties were paid, and that additionally the 7% VAT was applied. Reports pretty much consistently report that shipping via post (e.g. USPS) avoids customs duties entirely, presumably by flying under the radar. I assumed it was a pre-condition for the courier services to be able to conduct business in Thailand that their shipments are required to clear Thai Customs. Several years ago I shipped a 20kg box of personal effects via FedEx, and was able to negotiate a waiver from Thai Customs for any duty, but I had to pay them a whopping B5,000 for a "warehousing" fee. No receipt issued for the B5,000. 
#21
edwardandtubs
Senior Member Posted 2012-02-11 19:09:34
I think you shouldn't have been taxed if the value was less that $30. Sounds like a cock up by DHL.
#22
NewlyMintedThai
Senior Member Posted 2012-02-11 20:23:36
I think you shouldn't have been taxed if the value was less that $30. Sounds like a cock up by DHL. "Value" and what you paid for it are not necessarily the same things to Customs -- whether in Thailand or anywhere else. Always use the postal service where possible -- the chances of you getting charged are less (but not nil) regardless of whether the recipient is a Thai or foreigner. #23
Forethat
PGA Member Posted 2012-02-11 20:51:41
DHL is a bugger. The tax is ridiculous and totally doesn't make sense. My son was sent some shoes and although a low value had been put for customs, they had added in the cost of shipping into the value of the goods. It was clearly there to see on the form in their calculations. There's nothing you can do about it, you either pay or you don't get your goods. I would avoid them like the plague. In addition, please try to understand that tax is based on VALUE not some bullshit number made up to keep the tax down. You're really something, you even admit that you declared a low value in order to keep the tax down. Unbelievable. And lastly, shipping is ALWAYS subject to tax, not only in Thailand, but in, for instance, every country in Europe. #24
Forethat
PGA Member Posted 2012-02-11 20:53:16
One more time... #25
F1fanatic
Platinum Member Posted 2012-02-11 21:17:33
It depends on what you have ordered over the internet.
A few years ago I made the mistake of ordering a wetsuit, only to be charged 100% tax on the cost + shipping! It was via DHL.... But I'm sure that has nothing to do with it... |
Sponsored by ... |
