Sending parcels from Bangkok

The COVID-19 pandemic has wrecked havoc in many ways – some countries like Thailand have (partially) suspended international postal services earlier. That was partly due to safety concern, but also due to reduction of transport capabilities. In May 2020, Thailand Post announced resumption of service to selected countries here, but I did not come across any updates post May – are they delivering to Malaysia?

• 

• 

• 

Needing to send things home, I made a visit to the post office near my home. And yes, they do provide the international postal services (confirmed to Malaysia) – so hooray! They require proof of identity document – passport (for non-Thai) and ID card or driving license (for non-Thai). Since I did not bring along my passport, I used bf’s ID card for the procedure.

• 

• 

We were given customs declaration form to fill – oops, international parcel noob alert! Even with standard airmail, when we send a parcel outside Thailand, we still have to complete the form. I filled in with little thoughts of taxation issue! Luckily, bf warned to indicate the currency of the parcel value – 600 baht vs. RM 600 – the latter would attract import duty!

A little bit about the import tax and duty here – a website that provides good info on general rule for import tax and duty for shipment to Malaysia. Wish I had read about it before the visit to the post office – duh! So, Malaysia Customs will likely tax shipments over RM500 in value – so if I had I written 600 as the content value without indicating the currency – that might be interpreted as RM 600 and it’s taxable! I also searched for more info and in forum, some advised to indicate “gift” as contents and “NCV” (no commercial value) as the value, but there is no guarantee that it’s tax-free for sure.

Altogether, I sent 3 parcels using International Letter rate, registered – the cheapest, but slow:

Parcel 1- 0.366 kg – 234 baht + 40 baht service fee (639 baht per gram)
Parcel 2 – 0.424 kg – 258 baht + 40 baht service fee (608 baht per gram)
Parcel 3 – 1.386 kg – 634 baht + 40 baht service fee (457 baht per gram)

I am able to track the status of the parcel here, the item numbers are listed on the receipt provided – brilliant!

You’ll be able to calculate service rate here on Thailand Post’s website – above shows the list of service and corresponding rate based on indicative country destination and weight.

Calculation Steps:

• Please select your destination country from list
• Please insert your postal mail’s weight decimals or fractions
• Click Calculate Button

Curious about “international small packet” which is the cheapest service, here is the information on Thai Post’s website:

• Economical small package service for an item weighing not over 2 kg. to destinations worldwide.
• Wrapping must be open for inspection – note: no tape may be used to close the package. Only rope / string may be used as customs & postal employees may check the content.
• Maximum size: length, width and depth combined: 900 mm, but the greatest dimension does not exceed 600 mm.
• Minimum size: 90 x 140 mm.
• Maximum weight: 2 kg.

EMS = Express Mail Service, express delivery; higher cost. As for “ePacket LP, that’s for merchant – more about it here.

Boxes are easily available in Bangkok – whether at supermarket, OfficeMate or even the post office itself. At BigC, the price ranging from 12 baht (size A) to 39 baht (size E).

The service clerk said that the parcels will arrive within 2-3 weeks, and I shall be waiting anxiously for the parcels to reach home ……..

Update 3 Dec:

• First parcel arrived on 1 Dec, 11 days after posting
• Second parcel arrived on 3 Dec, 13 days after posting

Update 13 Dec:

• Third parcel arrived on 8 Dec (in a very squashed condition), 18 days after posting

The tracking system is not “live” update – example: parcel arrived, but tracking status showed Item out for physical delivery – but it’s still reliable.