Buying Scuba Gear Online-Thailand

[Arizona]

I have used both http://scubatoys.com/ and http://www.leisurepro.com/ with very good success in the past. Both companies are in the US and delivered to an address in the US. I timed the deliveries to be able to pick up gear while visiting family.

What happens when gear is shipped to Thailand regarding tax? Is it worth potential savings when factoring import costs (i.e customs/taxes)? The prices online at the above sites mentioned are very competitive. In google presently very little comes up with regard online Thai distributers.

Thanks,

Arizona

 

[MoonWrasse]

I've also used both to deliver in the US. One thought is that you have it sent to family in the US, and ask them to forward it onto you in Thailand.

Also you could give Larry a call or send him an email to see if he's ok with sending stuff abroad.

 

[thomjinx]

Hey Arizona,
I travel to Thailand a couple of times a year, and am planning to be there again in June and/or July. If it is something that isn't too large or heavy, send me a pm and I will try to help you out.

I can give you references in the US, Bangkok, Phuket or Koh Tao if you are worried about trusting your gear to a stranger.

I used to have things shipped to Indonesia when I lived there and it can be a real crapshoot. Sometimes the duty and fees was not so bad, other times it seemed a bit of a gouge, and sometimes the stuff just disappeared. I would expect Thailand to be better in this regard, but it might not be a bargain.

Let me know if I can help.

Chok di,
Thomjinx

 

[Arizona]

I used to have things shipped to Indonesia when I lived there and it can be a real crapshoot. Sometimes the duty and fees was not so bad, other times it seemed a bit of a gouge, and sometimes the stuff just disappeared. I would expect Thailand to be better in this regard, but it might not be a bargain.

Thomjinx,

When you did ship gear how did you label it to get through customs with minimal fees? If I ship things to the place I work, things always seem to arrive. I think private residences may be another story. Contacting Larry is good idea, I was hoping to hear about a Thai company setting up a good Net option.

Thanks again,

Arizona

 

[h90]

I just got something from US. A friend takes appart all packing, let is look like used/second hand and send it with the half price.

 

[Arizona]

When I send something to the school I work at, I label it "used teaching supplies not for resale" and declare it at about 1/10 the cost. I guess this will work with scuba gear as well, so having a friend or family member ship it would make sense. Is this how others have done it?

Are there online vendors anyone has used for scuba gear in Thailand?

Thanks h90,

AZ

 

[h90]

When I send something to the school I work at, I label it "used teaching supplies not for resale" and declare it at about 1/10 the cost. I guess this will work with scuba gear as well, so having a friend or family member ship it would make sense. Is this how others have done it?

Are there online vendors anyone has used for scuba gear in Thailand?

Thanks h90,

AZ

I let them send to USA but the Scubatoys guys look nice maybe the ship to Thailand. I have a FedEx import number which makes the things cheaper. I wouldn't undervalue to much, the customs guys are not idiots. And not have it in the original box with the warranty card (and yesterdays date on it, thank you for the purchase).
Let it look second hand and make a normal cheap second hand price. Else, like everyone, the Thai customs does not like if they get they get the feeling you think they are idiots. They are pretty smart when they want and they have lists with prices and can compare with other imports. So I wouldn't declare something wrong and I wouldn't go to deep in value.

Avoid EMS, because you must go there to pick it up at the customs.
Avoid values over 20.000 Baht (I can't remember the exact amount might be 15 or 25.000 but somthing arround that) because lower values go thru an express clearing higher must be declared by some agent.
(note I am not a specialist, thats just my experience).

 

[thomjinx]

Arizona,

Sorry to be so slow to reply. When I was in Indonesia I was not the party doing the shipping. I was on the receiving end. Most everything was coming from commercial businesses.

 

[josh]

Avoid EMS, because you must go there to pick it up at the customs.
Avoid values over 20.000 Baht (I can't remember the exact amount might be 15 or 25.000 but somthing arround that) because lower values go thru an express clearing higher must be declared by some agent.
(note I am not a specialist, thats just my experience).

Hmm. Lets see. A few semi-random points:

1. Scuba gear is subjected to tax in Thailand, unlike nearby Singapore, where it is tax free.

2. When shipping in by Fed ex and the like, be aware that duty must be paid on the *combined* cost of the goods *and* the shipping costs...

3. If the delivery does get stopped by customs, you have to go personally (or get an agent to go) to the airport to pick up the goods..(Fed-ex can some times facilitate, but be prepared for an awful lot of arsing around).

4. Remember this is Thailand, so well, nothing guaranteed....
-j-

 

[h90]

Josh: fully agree with that. I think 3 is unlikely but if happening it might be a real pain.
what customs make is sometimes pretty much random and when it starts "I want see the printed catalog with that product, the quotation, the PO and money transfer" but you bought in USA with creditcard on a webpage which usually does not quotations and PO and they can't read anything because it is english and not thai than you need a "friend" (which you can hire there somewhere) with some cash money who can explain it for the officer.....

Had that with products declared complete right and following the rules.....