Finance panel okays 7% VAT on products ordered online from foreign countries

[PeteC]

The problem is that in the majority of cases Thailand manufacturers do not and cannot produce similar goods. If they did there would be no need to buy from foreign sources!

This is just yet another gimmick to fill the coffers.

https://www.nationthailand.com/business/30379552

Finance panel okays 7% VAT on products ordered online from foreign countries

The Finance Ministry aims to tax online products from foreign countries to provide fair competition to Thai manufacturers.

Finance permanent secretary Prasong Poontaneat said the tax reform committee approved the decision to collect 7 per cent value-added tax on goods ordered online from other counties and also cancel the tax-free status on imported products priced below Bt1,500 to be fair to Thai manufacturers, who produce similar goods and who are charged 7 per cent VAT. The policy is now awaiting the green light from the cabinet.

In reply to a question, principal adviser on Customs Control Development Chaiyuth Kumkun said that in the case where personal belongings in a foreign county were sent back to the host via mail, the owner of the belongings would not be taxed. Customs will consider such evidence as the item’s condition, a photo of the owner with the belongings, or any evidence to affirm that the items were bought in Thailand.

“If the value of the belonging isn’t worth enough to sell as an expensive second hand item, the officer might not tax the owner,” Chaiyuth said.

[buksida]

They're really filling up that Chinese submarine fund eh!

As you say, if you could buy the same stuff in Thailand for the same prices (and quality) there would be no need to order online from overseas.

[PeteC]

Important to note that the 1,500 Baht exemption will also be gone.

[handdrummer]

Important to note that the 1,500 Baht exemption will also be gone.

In the past year, I've been taxed on imported goods that were less than 1500 Bht. The seller, per instructions from the Thai govt., collected the tax with the price of the goods and shipping.

Thais will only be satisfied when they've driven all the foreigners out of Thailand and the Chinese run the country.

Soon, China will have access to Thailand via container ports, train, road and air. They be able to roll those tanks from Beijing to Bangkok and truck the troops down the road and by rail from one end of the country to the other. I'd give it about 20 yrs and all of SE Asia will be a vassal state of China, just like they used to be.

[stretch]

Then why not put a tax on all Thai exports and on Thai tourism flights see if they change the tax thinking idea.