Hello;

Just got our bike from Bangkok port (Khlong Toei) and thought would do a mini write up.

We shipped from Dubai to Bangkok via a company called Deepsea Freight Services and it arrived 3 weeks late. Anyway, after this experience we would recommend air freight. However if you insist on boating it with a good company then this is what you do at collection.

Step 1: Go to the agent's office and collect a document called "Delivery Order", there is a payment involved it depends on the size of the box your bike is in. The things you get charged for at the agents are:

Delivery Order Fee
Terminal Handling Fee
Container Freight Station
Status Charge
Handling Charge

Get someone from the agency to write down Customs and Port on a piece of paper in Thai so you can show the taxi driver.

Step 2: Go to the main Thailand Port Authority building on Kasem Rat road. Give them the Bill of Landing and the Delivery Order. Someone behind the counter will help you and do pretty much everything. Here you get one half of the necessary paperwork. The paperwork tells you where the bike is etc (i.e. Shed 5 bla bla). There was a 525 Baht fee for the papers (£10). They may tell you now you can go straight there and collect your bike. You can't do this... read Step 3

Step 3: CUSTOMS FUN TIMES! Don't be fooled and go to the Shiny Customs Building. Go to the Customs building marked on the image below. The stairs are outside so use the stairs on Kasem Rat road side, 3rd floor. Walk in from the door, right then left and find the Privilege Customers or something like that door. I arrived bang on lunch time so had to wait till lnch was over (12 till 1). Then someone will make you fill in a form,and prepare the paperwork and keep sending you next door. Then they photocopy everything (even a page from the carnet). But its not much work, its all done for you for free. Then you sign a declaration (relating to your bikes value and the fine you will pay if you leave after your visa ends). Nothing gets stamped in the carnet. Also take note of what the customs people tell you and keep the second copy of the agreement to hand out at exiting Thailand.



Step 4: Then when its all done, walk out on to the Kasem Rat road, and head left (towards the port, its very walkable). Towards the left of the port entrance there are motorbike taxis, they charged me 20 Baht to take me to shed 13 which was pretty far. Then there is more customs work here, I sort of forgot, you get sent around the quite small building to collect more stamps (no sweat) and when its all done they get the crate out and you may dismantle away.
Here the customs guy tried to keep the my copy of the agreement (the one you're supposed to hand in at exit), then I had to explain and he then had to make a phone call and gave it back... so it's best that you just don't show them your copy.

But yeah, its best airfreighted to be honest

All the best,
Oli

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Currently on the road.. suck it work
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