I love to go metal detecting and was in dire need of a metal detecting scoop so that I could hunt the lakes and rivers of Khon Kaen and the surrounding areas. Since these don’t exist in Thailand, I had to rely on eBay and a buddy in Hawaii.
Khon Kaen Metal Scoop
I had considered getting one fabricated here in Khon Kaen, but wasn’t sure that I would be able to get my point across on steel strength, angle, and steel thickness – even with drawings. Thais tend to think they know better than you, and will do it their way no matter how much you spell it out in detail.
So, I found what I wanted with the help of my buddy, Paul, in Hawaii and he went ahead and ordered it for me and had it sent to him. No one likes to ship items to Thailand – bad reputation (not me, – Thailand). $110 plus $35 shipping.
Then, Paul repacked the original since it was just thrown in a box with some loose newspaper and sent via Fedex. Paul also threw in a handle that attaches down towards the bottom of the shaft making it easier to pick up heavy items.
Paul shipped it to Khon Kaen Thailand via US Postal Service (USPS) and that was another $50 for “first class” service – service that really sucks. I have a tracking number that says the package is supposed to be in my hands on 14 February and it doesn’t get to Thailand until the 21st.
Then, it goes over to Thai customs in Bangkok for one day. This is a first for me. I have had a couple of smaller items shipped to me and never had to pay any duty, but I guess that the bigger box and maybe a scan of the contents, and the Thais having no idea what it is, they decided to slap on another 885 Thai baht for Import Tax and Value Added Tax.
They (Thai Customs) assessed the value at 5,000 baht which is just about right, so the Import Tax works out to 10% – 500 baht. The VAT is just over 7%, though I have no idea why this is tacked on.
I really can’t complain as there are additional columns on the form for additional taxes – Fee/Other Taxes, Excise Tax, and Local Government Tax. I would scan a copy of the document, but my laptop crapped out and the scanning software is on it.
Three days later and the Khon Kaen Post Office attempts to deliver it to my mother-in-law’s house (done on purpose) but mom has no idea what customs duty is and doesn’t want to fork over 885 baht, so she calls my wife and I explain it all. Wife is on her way to pick it up now.
I will still have to get a handle either from a local Khon Kaen hardware store, Global House, or bring it up with the family and see who knows someone that can make one for me. I want it to be wood, with a hole drilled so that I can attach it with nut/bolt and the handle will need to fit in my metal detector bag.
Oh well, such is life living overseas and wanting something from America. You have to pay a premium to get what you want here in Khon Kaen.
0 Comments
You can be the first one to leave a comment.