While vacationing in an exotic country, you will certainly want to buy memorable gifts for yourself and your friends. But before you buy something in Thailand, you need to know what is permissible and what cannot be exported from the country. The main task of sellers, of course, is to earn as much as possible. Therefore, it is completely useless to ask them whether this or that product is prohibited for export or not. If there is such a thing on his counter, he will certainly answer that it is allowed to take it out. Therefore, when going on vacation to a foreign country, be sure to read the customs list so that you know for sure what you cannot export from Thailand.
Getting into an unpleasant situation when passing through customs control due to an attempt to take out a prohibited item due to ignorance of the rules can ruin not only a good part of the nerves, but also cross out the pleasant impressions of the trip. However, this does not absolve from responsibility, which means that it is better to find out in advance what cannot be bought in such an exotic country.
What is prohibited to export from Thailand?
According to the laws of the country, a tourist is not allowed to buy the following groups of goods.
Drugs, weapons and alcohol
These goods are subject to the standard prohibitions of any country's customs. When checking baggage, they are seized and a fine is issued to the tourist for attempting to export prohibited goods from the country. With regard to drugs, the sanction is much more serious. According to the laws of Thailand, the offender will face the death penalty. You can take out alcohol, but observing a strict restriction - no more than a liter per person.
Fruit
When leaving the country, it is good to have an idea of which fruits cannot be exported from Thailand. The strict ban applies to species such as durian, coconut and watermelon.
- Durian, when cut or even the slightest damage to the skin, gives off a strong odor. Therefore, if you take it with you on the plane with your hand luggage, there is a great chance that the entire cabin will become "stinky" (its smell is difficult to kill with an air freshener).
- Coconut is prohibited from transport due to the thickness and density of the skin. The scanner at the airport is unable to enlighten this fruit and see what is inside. About ten years ago, drugs were transported in coconuts, which was the reason for the ban.
- Watermelons are not permitted on airplanes, as they explode under the pressure of altitude and damage luggage.
- Statuettes and images of Buddha are not allowed to be exported from Thailand. The only exceptions are small souvenirs, no more than 13 cm in size. Transportation of cut paintings with the image of Buddha will be legal. In truth, customs usually have no problem transporting Buddha souvenirs unless they are antiques. Such certificates need to be obtained from several government agencies at the same time, this will have to spend a lot of time, effort and money. And most importantly, it is not a fact that you will be allowed in with these plants to another country, because of the requirements of the Sanitary and Epidemiological Service. The only plant that is recommended for export is a cut orchid (without roots).
Seafood
It is also strictly forbidden to export marine life such as seahorses, corals and shells from Thailand. The last two categories cannot be taken with you unprocessed, unlike souvenirs made from these materials. Dried seahorses are widely sold on the shelves of the country, but buying and exporting them from the country is prohibited, since they are protected by law. But medical preparations, which include seahorse powder, can be exported.
Land
Oddly enough, it is not allowed to export even earth and sand from Thailand. They belong to the possession of the king, and therefore are not for sale. They cannot be exported even as souvenirs. When buying a potted plant, be sure to ask the seller to replace the soil with a special hydrogel, so as not to leave the plant at customs and become the owner of a fine. In no case do not collect sand on the beaches in bags or jars to take home with you. Many islands are considered reserved, and it is strictly forbidden to take out any soil from them.
If you don't want your holiday to have a sad ending, be careful when buying souvenirs for friends and packing your suitcase home. Remember forbidden goods and products. The list, of course, is long, but this does not mean at all that the customs will completely search through your bags in search of goods prohibited for export. At the entrance to the airport, at customs and even after dropping off the luggage, all suitcases are checked by a scanner. If suddenly you still put something from the prohibited list in your luggage, do not worry and do not be intimidated by the fine. He is written out extremely rarely, and often they simply withdraw the thing, making a verbal warning. Of course, the money spent will be a pity, but your peace of mind is more expensive.
.
