Whether you've fallen in love with Thai silk scarves at Chatuchak Market or commissioned a custom-tailored suit in Bangkok, sending packages home from Thailand can be a practical alternative to cramming everything into your luggage. Many travelers discover treasures they hadn't planned on buying – handcrafted furniture, delicate ceramics, or bulk quantities of specialty tea – and shipping becomes the only sensible option.
When Shipping Makes Sense
Airlines typically charge hefty fees for excess baggage, often $100-200 per extra bag on international flights. If you've bought a beautiful teak wood carving or several pairs of custom-made leather shoes, shipping can actually save money while protecting your items from rough baggage handling. Business travelers who've had multiple suits tailored often ship them directly to avoid wrinkles and potential damage during flights.
Some purchases simply won't fit in luggage. That antique Buddha statue from a Chiang Mai gallery or the hand-woven rug from a northern hill tribe village requires proper packaging and professional shipping. Electronics bought in Thailand's tech malls, especially if purchased in quantity for resale, are better shipped with tracking and insurance than risked in checked luggage.
Thailand Post: The Budget Option
Thailand Post operates from nearly every town and offers several service levels. Surface mail, traveling by ship, takes 2-3 months but costs remarkably little – around 500-800 baht for a 5kg box to Europe or North America. Air parcel service reduces delivery time to 2-3 weeks for approximately 2,000-3,000 baht for the same weight.
EMS (Express Mail Service) through Thailand Post provides tracking and typically delivers within 5-7 business days to major cities worldwide. A 5kg package costs roughly 3,500-4,500 baht depending on destination. The post office provides boxes and packaging materials, though bringing your own can reduce costs slightly.
Staff at main post offices in tourist areas usually speak some English, but having your destination address written clearly helps avoid confusion. Thailand Post limits individual packages to 30kg, and certain items like batteries, liquids, and perfumes face restrictions.
Private Courier Services
DHL, FedEx, and UPS operate throughout Thailand with reliable but pricier service. DHL tends to be most widespread, with service points in major shopping malls and business districts. Expect to pay 5,000-8,000 baht to ship a 5kg package to Western countries with delivery in 3-4 business days.
Many tailors and high-end retailers have accounts with these services and handle shipping for customers. A Sukhumvit tailor shipping five suits to New York might charge 4,000 baht for DHL service, often less than their standard retail rates. They'll also handle documentation and packaging, which proves valuable for time-pressed travelers.
Kerry Express and Flash Express operate domestically and regionally, offering competitive rates to neighboring Asian countries. These services work well for shipping to Singapore, Hong Kong, or Japan, with rates about 30-40% lower than major international couriers.
Navigating Customs and Import Duties
Packages valued over certain thresholds trigger customs inspection and potential duties in the destination country. The United States allows imports up to $800 duty-free, while the EU's limit sits at just €150. Shipping multiple smaller packages sometimes helps, though customs officials increasingly watch for this tactic.
Declare items at their actual purchase price. Customs officers know Thai market values, and under-declaring risks package delays, fines, or confiscation. Keep all receipts and consider photographing them before shipping as backup documentation.
Personal effects and used items often face lower scrutiny than new merchandise. A box of worn clothing you're sending home rarely attracts attention, while ten identical new handbags suggests commercial importation. Some travelers wear new clothes once and wash them before shipping to avoid commercial goods classification.
Practical Packaging Tips
Thai humidity can damage items during shipping. Wrap leather goods, textiles, and papers in plastic before boxing. Silica gel packets, available at Tesco Lotus or Big C for a few baht, help absorb moisture during transit.
Double-box fragile items with newspaper or bubble wrap between layers. Thai postal workers and courier staff aren't notably gentle, and international shipping adds more handling points. Mark boxes clearly with "FRAGILE" in both English and Thai (เปราะบาง).
Take photos of valuable items before packing and keep serial numbers for electronics. Insurance claims require proof of contents and condition. Most courier services include basic insurance, but purchasing additional coverage for expensive items costs just 1-2% of declared value.
Restricted and Prohibited Items
Buddha images and antiques require export permits from the Fine Arts Department, a process taking 3-5 business days. Shops selling these items usually know the procedure, but verify they've handled permits before shipping. Attempting to export Buddha images without permits can result in serious legal consequences.
Many countries restrict food imports. Those amazing Thai spices and dried fruits might be confiscated at customs. Processed, commercially packaged foods fare better than loose or homemade items. Avoid shipping anything containing meat products, as most countries prohibit these entirely.
Counterfeit goods create problems even in small quantities for personal use in many countries. That designer handbag from MBK Center might seem like a bargain, but customs seizure means losing both the item and shipping costs. Stick to legitimate purchases with receipts from established retailers.
Timing Your Shipments
Ship packages at least three weeks before you need them, even with express service. Thai holidays, destination country customs processing, and final delivery can add unexpected days. December shipping faces additional delays due to holiday volumes worldwide.
Rainy season (June-October) occasionally disrupts domestic transport to airports and ports. Building a few extra days into your timeline during these months prevents disappointment. Weekend customs clearance doesn't happen in many countries, so packages arriving Friday might sit until Monday.
Some travelers ship packages to their office rather than home, ensuring someone can sign for delivery. Hotels in your destination city might accept packages for upcoming stays, though confirm this service beforehand. Airport shipping services let you send packages just before flying, but rates typically exceed standard courier prices by 20-30%.