Moving to Thailand: customs & duty-exemption checklist
Thai Customs lets people changing residence to Thailand import their used household effects free of duty and taxes — but only if you meet the residence criteria, the goods were owned and used abroad, the shipment lands inside the time window and you keep to one unit of each electrical appliance. Answer five questions to see whether you qualify, see exactly which documents the Application for Duty Exemption needs, then check every item against the prohibited and restricted lists of Thai Customs, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Livestock Development, the Thai FDA, the NBTC and the Fine Arts Department before you pack.
1. Do my goods clear duty-free? (Duty exemption for used household effects on change of residence (Thai Customs))
Which of these describes you?
Are the goods your own personal and household property, not for sale or business use?
Does your shipment fit the time limits (your arrival and the shipment close together)?
Does the shipment include any of these?
Documents to clear your shipment
- Application for Duty Exemption — lodged with the Duty Exemption and Investment Promotion Sub-Division, Central Service Division, at Bangkok Port Customs Office or the port of entry (our Thai agent prepares it)
- Draft Import Declaration — prepared by your customs broker; after Customs approves the exemption it is filed as the final Import Declaration and any duty on non-exempt items is paid
- Passport — showing the one-year non-immigrant visa or non-immigrant quota (foreigners), or the entry and exit stamps that evidence at least one year abroad (Thai nationals)
- Work permit of at least one year from the Department of Labour, or the Immigration Department letter confirming that an annual temporary stay is granted — foreigners whose visa is not yet issued
- Letter from the relevant government agency for experts, specialists or people on government contracts, confirming the non-immigrant visa and a working period in Thailand of at least one year
- Evidence of changing residence for Thai nationals — e.g. a transcript, reshuffle-of-positions order or termination of an employment contract
- Bill of Lading (sea) or Air Waybill (air) for the shipment
- Packing list and invoice or sale documents (if any) — itemised so Customs can see each electrical appliance and separate any new or non-exempt lines
- Permits for any restricted goods in the shipment (e.g. Excise Department for alcohol or tobacco, NBTC for radio equipment, Fine Arts Department for Buddha images or antiques), plus a letter of power of attorney for your customs broker
What is taxed and what is not
- Qualifying used household effects (owned, possessed and used abroad, reasonable quantity, within the time window, one electrical appliance of each type): free of import duty and taxes under the Application for Duty Exemption.
- Items Customs does not accept as used household effects — new goods, second and further units of an appliance, commercial quantities: import duty at the Customs Tariff rate for the item, plus VAT at the general rate of 7 %, which the Customs Department collects at the time of import on the duty-paid value.
- Alcohol and tobacco in a shipment: never within the household-effects exemption; an Excise Department permit is required and customs duty, excise and VAT apply. The 1-litre and 200-cigarette allowances cover only goods carried personally by an arriving passenger.
- Pets: living animals are restricted goods that are not exempted from duty — Customs assesses duty and taxes on the animal's value on the Special Import Declaration (Kor Sor Kor. 102) after the DLD import permit is shown.
2. Can I ship it? — DOA / DLD item checker
Thailand does not run a single biosecurity inspection of household goods the way Australia does, but several agencies each control a slice of what you can pack. Thai Customs lists plants and their parts (Department of Agriculture), living animals and carcasses (Department of Livestock Development), food, medicine, cosmetics and supplements (Thai FDA), communication radio devices and telecommunications equipment (NBTC), guns and ammunition (Department of Provincial Administration), Buddha images, artefacts and antiques (Fine Arts Department), vehicle parts (Ministry of Industry) and cigarettes, tobacco and alcohol (Excise Department) as restricted goods — each needs the relevant permit presented during customs formalities. Narcotics, pornographic materials, counterfeit and IPR-infringing goods, fake notes or coins and reserved or CITES-listed wildlife are prohibited outright. Restricted goods without a permit are forfeitable and importing them to evade a restriction is an offence under the Customs Act even without intent.
Don't ship — Prohibited or assessed separately — leave it outDeclare + clean — Declare, clean/dry it, expect inspection or treatmentDeclare — Declare and list it clearlyNo concern — No specific concern
No match — if it is made of wood, plant or animal material, is food, or has been outdoors, declare it and check with the authority before packing.
Don't ship
Fresh fruit, vegetables, seeds and spicesPlants and their parts are restricted goods under the Department of Agriculture and food is restricted under the Thai FDA — both need permits. 'Provisions' are also excluded from the personal-effects definition. Leave fresh produce out of the container.
Food
Don't ship
Meat, sausages, cheese, eggs and other animal productsCarcasses and animal products are restricted goods under the Department of Livestock Development and need an import permit; food also falls under the FDA. Do not pack them.
Food
Declare + clean
Packaged food, tea, coffee, baby food, dietary supplementsFood and food supplements are restricted goods under the Thai FDA, and provisions are outside the household-effects exemption. A pantry in the container risks being held pending an FDA permit or paying duty — ship as little as possible and list every line.
Food
Declare
Alcohol — wine, spirits, beerRestricted goods under the Excise Department: a permit is required and duty and taxes apply. The 1-litre duty-free allowance is only for a passenger's own baggage.
Food
Declare
Cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobaccoRestricted goods under the Excise Department and outside the exemption. The 200-cigarette / 250 g allowance applies only to what you carry; at the airport, excess must be surrendered to Customs or you are prosecuted.
Food
Declare + clean
Dogs and catsLiving animals are restricted goods: apply to the DLD's Animal Quarantine Station for the Letter of Approval of Importation (Ror. 6) before the animal is shipped and the Import Permit (Ror. 7), bring the pet health certificate, and clear on a Special Import Declaration (Kor Sor Kor. 102). Pets are not duty-exempt. Arriving without the Ror. 6 approval is an offence under Section 244 of the Customs Act.
Pets & animals
Declare + clean
Birds, reptiles, fish, small mammals and other petsImport approval must be obtained before import from the animal, aquatic-animal or wildlife quarantine station at the port of entry, depending on the species. Reserved animals and CITES-listed wildlife are prohibited.
Pets & animals
Declare + clean
Pet food and treatsAnimal-origin products fall under the Department of Livestock Development's permit regime. Check with the DLD before packing and list it separately rather than hiding it in household boxes.
Pets & animals
Don't ship
Ivory, rhino horn, tortoiseshell, wild-cat skins and other CITES-listed wildlife productsReserved animals and CITES-listed wildlife are prohibited goods in Thailand. Importing them is an offence under Section 244 of the Customs Act, with forfeiture.
Pets & animals
Declare + clean
Taxidermy, hunting trophies, feathers, bones, antlers, hidesCarcasses and animal parts are restricted goods under the Department of Livestock Development, and anything from a CITES species is prohibited. Obtain the permit before shipping and declare each piece.
Decor & ornaments
No concern
Finished wooden, rattan, bamboo and wicker furnitureManufactured furniture is a typical used household effect. Describe it on the packing list; it qualifies for the exemption if owned and used abroad.
Wood, cane & bamboo
Declare + clean
Raw timber, logs, bark, driftwood, untreated wood, bamboo polesPlants and their parts are restricted goods under the Department of Agriculture and may need a plant-quarantine permit. Check before packing and list them.
Wood, cane & bamboo
Declare + clean
Dried flowers, wreaths, potpourri, seed pods, straw and dried-leaf decorationsPlant material is restricted under the Department of Agriculture. Expect a permit requirement or inspection — leave it behind if you can.
Decor & ornaments
Declare + clean
Buddha images, Buddhist artefacts, Thai antiques and objects of artRestricted goods: a permit from the Fine Arts Department (nsw.finearts.go.th) must be presented during customs formalities. Apply before the shipment leaves.
Decor & ornaments
Don't ship
Pornographic materialsProhibited goods in Thailand — importing them is an offence under the Customs Act regardless of quantity.
Decor & ornaments
Don't ship
Counterfeit branded goods, pirated DVDs and software, fake banknotes or coinsCounterfeit-trademark and IPR-infringing goods and fake notes or coins are prohibited goods. They are forfeited and the importer may be prosecuted.
Decor & ornaments
No concern
Books, films, music, personal papers and photographsBooks in appropriate quantity are expressly named as personal effects. List them clearly.
Decor & ornaments
Declare + clean
Decorative swords, daggers, antique weaponsGuns, bullets, explosives and 'the equivalents to guns' are restricted under the Department of Provincial Administration; antique weapons may also need Fine Arts Department clearance. Ask before packing and declare every piece.
Decor & ornaments
Don't ship
Firearms, air guns, ammunition, explosives, replica gunsRestricted goods needing a permit from the Department of Provincial Administration (Ministry of Interior) before import, and guns and bullets are excluded from 'personal effects'. Without a permit they are forfeited and the importer prosecuted — do not ship them with household goods.
Outdoor, sport & camping
Don't ship
Fireworks and firecrackersExplosives are restricted goods under the Department of Provincial Administration. Leave them behind.
Outdoor, sport & camping
No concern
Camping gear, bicycles, golf clubs, surfboards, diving gear, gym equipmentNo specific concern — used sports and leisure equipment is a household effect if owned and used abroad.
Outdoor, sport & camping
Declare + clean
Drones and remote-control models with radio transmittersCommunication radio devices are restricted goods under the NBTC and need a permit presented at customs. Confirm the current NBTC and Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand registration rules for drones before shipping.
Outdoor, sport & camping
Declare + clean
Walkie-talkies, ham radios, satellite phones, radio transmittersCommunication radio devices and telecommunications equipment are restricted goods under the Office of the NBTC; the permit must be presented during customs formalities.
Outdoor, sport & camping
Declare + clean
Live plants, cuttings, bulbs, seeds for plantingPlants and their parts are restricted goods: a permit from the Department of Agriculture (doa.go.th) is required and must be presented at customs. Without it the plants are held or forfeited.
Garden & plants
Don't ship
Soil, compost, potting mixGrowing media fall under the Department of Agriculture's plant-quarantine controls. Empty every pot and leave soil behind.
Garden & plants
No concern
Garden tools, plant pots, outdoor furniture, barbecueNo specific control listed — ship them clean, dry and free of soil, ash and plant material, and list them on the inventory.
Garden & plants
Declare
Lawnmower, generator, chainsaw, petrol toolsDrain all fuel and oil before packing. A used machine is a household effect; a brand-new one is assessed as normal goods.
Vehicles & machines
Don't ship
Car, motorcycleMotor cars are excluded from 'personal effects'. Thai Customs allows only temporary import by travellers with a guarantee and re-export within six months; a vehicle that stays pays the full duties and taxes, and vehicle parts need a Ministry of Industry permit.
Vehicles & machines
Don't ship
Boat, yacht, jet skiYachts and boats follow the same temporary-import rules as cars — duty-free only if re-exported within the time limit against a guarantee; otherwise full duties and taxes.
Vehicles & machines
Declare + clean
Spare parts, tyres, engines and other vehicle partsVehicle parts are restricted goods needing a permit from the Ministry of Industry (industry.go.th). Do not slip them into household boxes.
Vehicles & machines
Declare
E-bike, electric scooter, mobility scooterNot covered by the vehicle-parts restriction as such, but list them separately with values so Customs can decide whether they are used household effects.
Vehicles & machines
Declare
Refrigerator, microwave, oven, dishwasher, washing machineElectrical appliances are duty-free only ONE unit of each type per person (TWO for a family changing residence). Extra units pay regular duty and taxes, with the lowest-duty unit placed under the exemption.
Kitchen
No concern
Cookware, crockery, cutlery, small kitchen gadgetsOrdinary used household effects — clean, dry and listed clearly.
Kitchen
No concern
Kitchen knives, cleavers, Swiss Army knivesHousehold cutlery is a normal household effect. Pack it securely and keep it with the kitchen boxes.
Kitchen
Declare
Televisions, radios, air conditioners, audio systemsOne unit of each type of electrical appliance per person is duty-free (two per family). List model and serial numbers so Customs can identify which unit is exempt.
Household
No concern
Sofas, beds, mattresses, wardrobes, clothes, linen, toysNo specific concern — the core of a duty-free household shipment if owned, possessed and used abroad.
Household
Declare
New, boxed or unused itemsNot household effects — assessed as normal goods with customs duty at the tariff rate plus 7 % VAT. List them with values and receipts so they can be separated from the exempt goods.
Household
Declare
Prescription and over-the-counter medicinesMedicine is a restricted good under the Thai FDA (fda.moph.go.th). Hand-carry your personal supply in original packaging with the prescription rather than shipping it, and check FDA rules for anything controlled.
Household
Don't ship
Narcotics, cannabis products bought abroad, controlled drugs without authorisationNarcotics are prohibited goods. Importing prohibited goods is an offence under Section 244 of the Customs Act — up to ten years' imprisonment and forfeiture.
Household
Declare
Cosmetics, skincare and toiletriesCosmetics are listed as restricted goods under the Thai FDA. A personal quantity of used toiletries is normal in a household shipment, but list them rather than hiding them, and do not ship commercial quantities.
Household
Declare
Mobile phones, laptops, tablets, Wi-Fi routersTelecommunications equipment is on the Customs restricted list under the NBTC. Your used personal devices should be itemised on the packing list; keep phones and laptops in your hand luggage where possible.
Household
Declare + clean
Mixed boxes with alcohol, tobacco, medicines, food or restricted items hidden among household goodsRestricted goods need their permits presented during customs formalities, and anything outside the exemption is charged duty and taxes. Pack them apart and list them — a false or incomplete declaration is fined up to 500,000 baht even without intent.
Packing
Declare
Boxes labelled 'misc' or 'personal items' without contentsCustoms checks the Application for Duty Exemption against the packing list and charges duty on anything it cannot accept as used household effects. Number every box and write the contents on the list.
Packing
How to pack so you clear inspection first time
- Ship only used household effects you owned, possessed and used in the country you are leaving; buy new furniture and electronics after you arrive, or list new items separately with values and budget for duty plus VAT.
- Count your electrical appliances: one unit of each type per person, two per family changing residence. Sell or store the second TV, fridge or air conditioner, or expect duty and taxes on it.
- Keep alcohol, tobacco, food, medicines and anything restricted out of the general household boxes — or pack them in clearly numbered cartons and list them separately, because they need permits and are charged outside the exemption.
- Get permits before the packers come: Department of Agriculture (plants, seeds, wood), Department of Livestock Development (pets — Ror. 6 approval before shipping), Fine Arts Department (Buddha images, antiques), NBTC (radio equipment) and Department of Provincial Administration (weapons).
- Mind the clock: the shipment must arrive not earlier than one month before and not later than six months after you do, so book the sea or air freight around your own travel date and your visa or work-permit issue date.
- Number every box and describe its contents on the packing list; send your broker your passport, visa, work permit or Immigration letter and the Bill of Lading early. When in doubt, declare — a false or incomplete declaration is an offence even without intent.
Penalties and costs
- False or incomplete goods declaration, documents or information (Customs Act B.E. 2560, Section 202): fine up to 500,000 baht. Under Section 252 liability applies irrespective of whether the person intended to commit the offence.
- Smuggling — importing goods that have not passed through customs formalities (Section 242): imprisonment up to ten years and/or a fine of four times the value of the goods including duty, and the goods are forfeited whether or not anyone is convicted.
- Evading duty on declared goods with intent to defraud (Section 243): imprisonment up to ten years and/or a fine from half to four times the duty shortfall; the court may order forfeiture.
- Importing prohibited or restricted goods to avoid a restriction or prohibition (Section 244): imprisonment up to ten years and/or a fine up to 500,000 baht, with forfeiture — and, like Section 202, liability does not depend on intent. Unpaid-duty, prohibited and restricted goods are forfeitable under Section 166, and the Director-General may settle offences by fine instead of prosecution.
Fees and penalty amounts are revised regularly — confirm current figures on the official pages below before you ship.
FAQ
Who qualifies for the duty exemption on household effects in Thailand?
Thai nationals returning after working, studying or living abroad for at least one year, and foreigners changing residence to Thailand who hold a non-immigrant quota or a one-year non-immigrant visa — or, pending the visa, an Immigration Department letter confirming an annual stay or a work permit of at least one year. Accompanying spouses with non-immigrant visas qualify too. Tourists and people shipping goods without a move do not.
Is there a minimum ownership period for my goods?
Thai Customs does not state a fixed number of months. The rule is that the household effects must be used or second-hand goods that you owned, possessed and used in the country where you lived before moving to Thailand, in reasonable quantities. New goods are not household effects and pay duty at the tariff rate plus 7 % VAT.
Can I bring two televisions or two refrigerators duty-free?
Only if you are a family changing residence: electrical appliances such as radios, TVs, refrigerators, microwaves, ovens and air conditioners are duty-free one unit each per person, two units each for a family. Extra units pay regular duty and taxes, and Customs puts the unit with the lowest duty under the exemption.
When does my shipment have to arrive?
Not earlier than one month before and not later than six months after your own arrival in Thailand. Customs may extend the limits in exceptional circumstances, but do not rely on it — plan the sea or air freight around your travel date.
Can my car come as a household effect?
No. Motor cars are expressly excluded from personal effects. Thai Customs allows only temporary import of a vehicle by travellers who post a guarantee and re-export it within six months; a vehicle that stays in Thailand pays the full duties and taxes, and vehicle parts need a Ministry of Industry permit. Selling the car before you move is almost always cheaper.
Will Flyto handle the Application for Duty Exemption?
Yes. Our door-to-door service to Thailand includes preparing the Application for Duty Exemption and the Import Declaration through our Thai customs broker, an itemised packing list that separates appliances, new items and restricted goods, and advice on which items need DOA, DLD, FDA, NBTC or Fine Arts Department permits before we pack.
Read next
- Moving to Bangkok from Abroad (2026): Complete Relocation Guide
- Moving from the UK to Thailand (2026): Complete Guide
- Moving inventory list template — free PDF, Word and Excel
- Moving Guides — Thailand
- Moving volume calculator — how many m³ is your move?
- Keep, sell or ship? — is it worth moving your furniture abroad?
- Moving inventory list template (PDF, Word, Excel)
Official sources
- Thai Customs — Household Items Import Clearance (criteria for used household effects duty exemption, documents, procedure)
- Thai Customs — Restricted and Prohibited Items (issuing authorities)
- Thai Customs — Pet Travel (DLD import permit, Ror. 6 / Ror. 7, Kor Sor Kor. 102)
- Thai Customs — Guidelines for Airport Passengers (alcohol and tobacco allowances, declaration channels)
- Thai Customs — Import/Export Vehicles by Sea (temporary importation of personal vehicles)
- Thai Customs — Customs Act B.E. 2560 (2017), unofficial English translation (Sections 166, 202, 242–244, 252)
- Thai Customs — Pre-Check Personal/Household effects Tax (e-service)
- The Revenue Department — Value Added Tax (7 % general rate; VAT on imports collected by the Customs Department)
- Department of Agriculture (plant quarantine)
- Department of Livestock Development (animal import permits)
- Food and Drug Administration, Ministry of Public Health
- Office of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC)
- Fine Arts Department — National Single Window
This checker summarises public rules as at the review date for planning purposes. Customs and biosecurity decisions are made by the officers on arrival; your Flyto coordinator confirms the current conditions for your visa and shipment.
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