International Shipment & Customs Regulations and Information for

Thailand

THAILAND On behalf of UniGroup Relocation, we will be coordinating the shipment of your goods to Thailand. To simplify the process, we have outlined the necessary steps to ensure a smooth transition. This will also review your responsibilities in assisting with this process. In addition to the points below, the following pages will outline the requirements, which will be facilitated by our local representative to complete the clearance. They will assist with each item specific to your shipment so please be assured they will do whatever is necessary to facilitate a quick and efficient clearance. The documentation process, for example, passports, visas, power of attorney, etc., can take one week to 14 days plus the transportation – airfreight – seven to 21 days / weeks and ocean – six to eight weeks, depending on the origin. It is extremely important that you take a few moments to review these important requirements, as they will allow us to process the release of your personal property through foreign customs. Customs and immigration requirements are established by the country of import and not by UniGroup Relocation. This guide has been designed to assist clients understand and comply with country-specific requirements. Substantial effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is current and correct. Such regulations, however, are subject to change without notice by the country of import. UniGroup Relocation assumes no liability for changes in the law or interpretation by enforcement personnel as it exists at the time you and/or your goods enter the country.

Visa Requirements – Details Please advise your local representative or UniGroup Relocation Representative of the “Type” of passport or visa you will be travelling under (working visa, temporary visa, diplomatic, etc.). When moving to Thailand, some specific documents will be required in order to satisfy local immigration officials. *Contact address and telephone number must be listed on all documents.

Required Documents

Details

Visitor/Tourist Transit Visa

A Transit Visa is issued to applicants who wish to enter Thailand for any of the following purposes: • Category TS (Transit): to travel in transit through Thailand in order to proceed to the country of destination or to re-enter the applicant's own country. • Category S (Sports): To participate in sports activities. • Category C (Conveyance): To the person in charge or crew of a conveyance coming to a port, station or area in Thailand. Documents required: The applicants must submit the following relevant documents, depending on the purpose of their visit: • Passport or travel document with validity not less than six months.

Effective: Jan. 1, 2010

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International Shipment & Customs Regulations and Information for

Thailand

• • • • • • •

Tourist Visa

Visa Application Form completely filled out. A recent photograph of the applicant (2 inches x 2 inches). Instrument of means of transportation (confirmed plane ticket, paid in full.) Evidence of adequate finance (20,000 Baht per person or 40,000 Baht per family.) Visa of a third country in a passport or travel document. Letter of invitation to participate in sports (Category 'S'). Applicants in addition to the above mentioned documents have to carry self attested photocopy of application form and all other originals.

A Tourist Visa is issued to applicants who wish to enter Thailand for the purpose of tourism. Documents required: The applicants must submit the following relevant documents, depending on the purpose of their visit: • Passport or travel document with validity not less than 6 months. • Visa Application Form completely filled out. • 2 recent photographs of the applicant (2 inches x 2 inches.) • Instrument of means of transportation (confirmed plane ticket, paid in full) • Evidence of adequate finance (20,000 Baht per person or 40,000 Baht per family.) • Applicants in addition to the above mentioned documents have to carry self attested photocopy of application form and all other originals. Visitors to Thailand as a tourist for 30 days or less with a valid passport and a confirmed ticket to leave Thailand within 30 days and sufficient funds (at least NZ$ 1,400), do not require a visa under the Thai Government Visa Exemption Scheme. Countries whose nationals are exempted from visa and are permitted to stay in the Kingdom not exceeding 30 days are as follows: Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong SAR, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Laos, Luxembourg, Macau SAR, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Vietnam. Nationals of the following countries may enter Thailand without a visa in accordance with the Inter-Governmental Agreements for a maximum stay of 30 and 90 days for purposed of Tourism and Temporary Business only:

Effective: Jan. 1, 2010

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International Shipment & Customs Regulations and Information for

Thailand

Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Republic of Korea, Peru Thailand requires a Yellow Fever Certificate from persons who have been to or have come from the following countries as from February 1991: Angola, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Colombia, Republic of Congo, Democratic of Congo, Cote D' Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Ecuador, Ethiopia, French Guiana, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Panama, Peru, Rwanda, Sao Tome And Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Suriname, United Republic of Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Venezuela. No inoculations or vaccinations are required unless applicants have been to an infected area.

Permanent Residency Resident’s Visa

Qualifications of applicant: Valid passport with a Non-Immigrant visa. The applicant has lived in Thailand for three consecutive years. Required Documents: • Official brochures are available listing the documents required, depending on the reasons for wanting to apply for a resident's visa:  For business or work-related purposes.  For investment.  As a technocrat or consultant  To care for a wife and/or child who has Thai nationality  To be under the guardianship/sponsorship of a husband or father who is a Thai national.  To be under the guardianship/sponsorship of a husband or father or child who has received residency in Thailand.  For retirement purposes. • A fee of 2,000 baht for each application. • An official resident's certificate is issued after the visa has been approved. The fee for the certificate is 50,000 baht. For dependents (i.e., a wife or child not of legal age) of a Thai national or foreigner already holding a resident's certificate. The fee is 25,000 baht. • A foreigner must apply in person as fingerprints and personal interviews are required.

Businesspeople Business Visa or Non-Immigrant Visa (Category "B")

Effective: Jan. 1, 2010

Requirements for Non-Immigrant Visa (Category "B"): • Visa application form completely filled out. • Passport or travel document with validity not less than 6 months and its copy. 3

International Shipment & Customs Regulations and Information for

Thailand

• • • • • •

• • •

Two recent photograph full-faced, bareheaded photos taken within the past six months (passport-sized photograph or 2 1/2 inches.) Letter from the applicant’s company stating the objective of the visit to Thailand, and applicant’s salary, etc. Copy of correspondence with trading partners in Thailand. Financial evidence when applicant is owner of business. Evidence of adequate funds. Letter of invitation from company in Thailand together with copy of corporate documents comprising of  List of shareholders  Business registration and business license  Company profile  Details of business operation  List of foreign workers stating names, nationalities and positions  Map indicating the location of the company  Balance sheet, statement of Income Tax and Business Tax (Por Ngor Dor 50 and Por Ngor Dor 30) of the latest year  Alien income tax return (Por Ngor Dor 91) and  Value-added tax registration (Por Ngor Dor 20), etc. (Copies of company documents must be signed by the Board of Directors or authorized Managing Director and affixed with the seal of the company.) Marriage and birth certificates (for applicant’s family members.) Document indicating the number of foreign tourists (for tourism business only) Document indicating export transactions issued by banks (for export business only)

Additional documents and information may be required if necessary. In the absence of a required document, a letter indicating the unavailability of such document must be provided. The applicant must initial each page of the copy documents. Documents in foreign languages must be translated into Thai or English.

Employees Non-Immigrant Visa (Category "B")

Effective: Jan. 1, 2010

Non-Immigrant Visa (Category "B") is for those applicants with a confirmed job offer. The documents required for Non-Immigrant Visa (Category "B"): • Current passport valid for more than 6 months. • One completed application from. • Two passport photos • Copy of organization registration. • Business registration and business license. • Copy of applicant’s travel ticket.

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International Shipment & Customs Regulations and Information for

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Plus US$5 postal cost or a self-addressed prepaid courier envelope. Applicant’s employment contract or letter of invitation stating employer details, job position, duration of contract and remuneration, signed by both parties. • Employment contract indicating rationale for hiring the applicant as well as his/her salary, position and qualifications (document must be signed by authorized managing director and affixed the seal of the company.) • Copy of Work Permit issued by the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare (only in case the applicant has previously worked in the Kingdom.) • Copy of educational records of the applicant and letters of recommendation from the prior employers, identifying job description and length of service time. Extension of stay: For those foreigners who wish to work in Thailand, their employer in Thailand should submit Form WP3 (Application for applying a work permit on behalf of alien according to Section 3) at the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare. • •

Diplomats Diplomatic / Official Visa (Category "F") or (Category "R")

Category "F" is issued to perform official duties and Category "R" is issued to perform missionary work or other religious activities with the concurrence of the Thai Ministries or Government Departments concerned. Requirements for diplomatic or official passport holders: • Thai Embassies and Consulates-General may upon official request grant visas to diplomatic or official passport-holders who wish to assume duties at a foreign Diplomatic Mission or Consulate or International Organization in the Kingdom and their family members or who desire to enter the Kingdom on official duty. • Supporting documents are Note Verbale and/or documents issued by the foreign government or international organization, certifying the identity of the person concerned and his/her purposes while visiting the Kingdom.

Students Non-Immigrant Visa (Category "ED")

Non-Immigrant Visa (Category "ED") is issued to study, to come on a work study tour or observation tour, to participate in projects or seminars, to attend a conference or training course. Requirements for Non-Immigrant Visa (Category "ED"): • Current passport valid for more than six months. • One completed application from. • Two passport photos • Transcript / Letter of acceptance from the concerned schools/universities or institutes. • Official Note certifying the purpose of travel from the Government Agencies / Embassies and Consulates / International Organizations /

Effective: Jan. 1, 2010

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International Shipment & Customs Regulations and Information for

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State Enterprises in Thailand.

Documents Requirements – Details When moving to Thailand, some specific documents will be required in order to satisfy local immigration officials.

PERSONAL & HOUSEHOLD GOODS Documents required to import personal & household goods are:

Required Documents

Details

Passport

Required.

Invoice (if any)

Please verify with the local representative.

Delivery Order

Please verify with the local representative.

Inventory or Purchase Document

Please verify with the local representative.

Customs Permit

Shipper must provide a Customs Permit if the personal & household goods shipped by air.

Identity Card

Please verify with the local representative.

Proof of Change of Residence

Shippers must have documentary proof of having received permission to work or reside in Thailand for not less than 1 year. This includes a work permit from the Department of Employment, Labor Ministry, of a visa from the Immigration Department.

Duties Personal & household goods can be imported duty-free under the following conditions: • • • •

Shipment must come from same country as shipper’s last workplace or residence. Shipment must not arrive in Thailand more than one month before or six months after arrival of shipper. Only one of each type of electrical items is allowed duty free (e.g. one microwave, one refrigerator.) Goods must be at least six months old to be considered duty free.

The following groups are exempt from Import Duty and VAT (approximately 7%, subject to change): Diplomatic Shipments: • Allowed one sea and one air shipment duty free. • Must be processed through the Foreign Ministry of the Thai Government by the proper Embassy, generally takes ten to 14 days from arrival of shipment. • All items (cars included) are allowed duty free entry upon approval by the Foreign Ministry. Effective: Jan. 1, 2010

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International Shipment & Customs Regulations and Information for

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Non-diplomatic Shipments: Allowed one air and one surface shipment duty free if the shipper has one of the following: • Original one year work permit presented to Customs for inspection. Some will initially be issued a 6-month permit that has to be extended to 12 months to be acceptable to Customs. • One year Category “B” Non- Immigrant Visa issued by the Immigration Dept. • B.O.I. Letter. Obtained by persons working for a company or project that is approved by the Thai Government Board of Investment (BOI). Returning Thai Nationals: • Thai citizens who have been in the country of shipment origin for at least 12 months • Too many trips back during Thailand during that time may cause problems with customs clearance.

Restricted and Prohibited – Imports All countries, including Thailand prohibits and restricts the importation of certain dangerous or sensitive items.

Restricted Items: • • • • • • •

New items (over 6 months old, require invoices) Alcoholic beverages Tobacco products Works of art and antiquities Stereo and video equipment, all appliances, luxury items, carpets, foodstuff, and office equipment Only one of each type of electrical appliance is allowed, duplicate appliances will be charged full duties. Computers, fax machines and phones can cause problems, may not be considered as household/personal effects, but rather as dutiable office equipment.

Prohibited Items: • • • • • • • •

Narcotics and drugs Medical equipment Gold and silver Plants (Health Certificate required) Several plant and fruits are prohibited Firearms, weapons, ammunition and dangerous objects (subject to taxes and licensing; goods of this type must not be included in household goods shipment) Radio equipment and transmitters of any kind Pornographic material

Effective: Jan. 1, 2010

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International Shipment & Customs Regulations and Information for

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Restricted and Prohibited – Exports •

Not available.

Motor Vehicles – Imports Foreign-made vehicles permanently imported into Thailand, whether new or used, either for personal use or for sale, are generally subject to taxes and duties. However, used/secondhand vehicles are regarded as restricted goods and, therefore, generally not allowed for importation into Thailand, except for temporary imports as mentioned above or imports under the conditions specified by the Ministry of Commerce. In importation of motor vehicle, it is also required that all fittings and accessories of the vehicle declared at the time of entry into Thailand. If this is not done, the importer may be subject to a fine and the vehicle and its contents may be seized. Documents required for importing motor vehicle:

Required Documents

Details

Temporary Import Temporary Import Declaration Form

A Temporary Import Declaration Form and five duplicates.

Vehicle Registration Certificate

Please verify with the local representative.

Identification Card

Please verify with the local representative.

Owner’s Passport

Please verify with the local representative.

Letter of Attorney

Letter of Attorney, in case where the master of the vehicle does not own the vehicle.

Proforma Invoice or Invoice

Please verify with the local representative.

Certificate of Legal Entity

Please verify with the local representative.

Re-Export Contract

Please verify with the local representative.

Permanent Import Import Declaration Form

Please verify with the local representative.

Sale Documents

Please verify with the local representative.

Customs Form No. 100/1

Shipper must provide a delivery order (Customs Form No. 100/1.)

Foreign Transaction Form 2

A Foreign Transaction Form 2 in case where the CIF value of the imported vehicles exceeding 500,000 Baht.

Insurance Premium Invoice

Please verify with the local representative.

Additional documents required for permanent imports of used/secondhand personal vehicles

Effective: Jan. 1, 2010

• • • •

House Certificate and Identification Card; A passport in case of changing residence; A Vehicle Registration Certificate indicating that the imported vehicles was used abroad; An import permit from the Ministry of Commerce

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International Shipment & Customs Regulations and Information for

Thailand

Motor vehicle can be imported under the following conditions: • •

Motor vehicle must have same owner for more than 18 months. Shipper must have driving license for more than 18 months.

•

Shipper and consignee must be same person.

Details: • • •

In case that the controller is not the owner of the car, an authorized letter from the owner is required. Most applications for an auto import permit are rejected. Heavy import taxes of approximately 210% of CIF are applicable.

Motor Vehicles – Exports •

Not available.

Pets The requirements to transport dogs and cats may vary per country. If you wish to ship your pet, please contact the airline or country Consulate/Embassy for specific details concerning your type, breed and documentation for pets.

Effective: Jan. 1, 2010

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International Shipment & Customs Regulations and Information for

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IMPORTANT CUSTOMS REMINDER Customs and immigration requirements are established by the country of import, not by UniGroup Relocation and are subject to change without notice by the country of import. All regulations may vary according to the customer’s nationality or immigration status. This guide has been designed to assist clients understand and comply with country-specific requirements. Substantial effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is current and correct. UniGroup Relocation cannot be responsible for changes in the law, or interpretation by immigration or customs enforcement personnel, or non-compliance with the law as it exists at the time you and/or your goods enter the country. Contact with the local Consulate or Embassy for further information concerning your specific visa, residence and entry situation is strongly recommended prior to planning your move.

Effective: Jan. 1, 2010

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International Shipment & Customs Regulations and Information for

Thailand

WOOD PACKAGING MATERIAL International wood packing requirements are in accordance with ISPM 15 (International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures: Guidelines for Regulating Wood Packaging Material in International Trade*) as of 5 July 2006: *ISPM 15 is produced by the Secretariat of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) of the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). ISPM 15 requires certain phytosanitary procedures, in particular heat treatment or methyl bromide fumigation, relating to wood packaging material (including dunnage) made of raw wood in use in international trade; the phytosanitary procedures are meant to minimize the risk of introducing and spreading certain pests that live and breed in raw wood.

REQUIREMENTS OF ISPM 15 Wood packaging material in the form of: • • • • • •

Packing cases, boxes, crates, drums, and similar packings Pallets, box pallets, skids, and other load boards Pallet collars actually in use in the transport of objects of all kinds, except: Raw wood of 6mm thickness or less Processed wood produced by glue, heat and pressure, or any combination thereof

Effective: Jan. 1, 2010

The wood packaging material shall: • •

Be subject to one of the approved measures as specified in Annex I To FAO ISPM 15 (currently, heat treatment or methyl bromide fumigation) Display a mark with: o The two-letter ISO Country Code (in place of XX in the image below) o A code identifying the producer (in place of 000 in the image below) o The code identifying the approved measure applied to the wood packing material in the mark as specified in Annex II to FAO ISPM 15 (in place of YY in the image below; examples are HT For “Heat Treatment” and MB for “Methyl Bromide Fumigation”) o Where “debarking” is required, the letters “DB” shall be added to the abbreviation of the approved measure included in the said mark o The logo as specified in Annex II to FAO ISPM 15 (this logo is the ippc trademarked graphic symbol shown in the image below on the left side)

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International Shipment & Customs Regulations and Information for

Thailand

REQUIREMENTS OF ISPM 15 (Continued) Wood packaging material in the form of:

The wood packaging material shall: •

Markings should be: 1. 2.

• •

Permanent and not transferable Legible and visible, preferably on at least two opposite sides of the article being certified

Be marked in accordance with Annex II to FAO ISPM 15 (see directly above under "Display a mark with:") If not, at a minimum it should be made from bark-free wood that is free from pests and signs of live pests

DUNNAGE, i.e. wood used to wedge or support non-wood cargo, including that which has not kept its natural round surface except: • •

Raw wood of 6mm thickness or less Processed wood produced by glue, heat and pressure, or a combination thereof

Effective: Jan. 1, 2010

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